I already drive for Uber in Bristol. Can I just add Zippe to my existing setup?

Yes, straightforwardly. Your Bristol City Council private hire driver’s and vehicle licences already cover you to work for any licensed private hire operator — you don’t need a new licence to add Zippe. Download the Zippe Driver app, upload your existing licence documents, and you’re typically approved within 48 hours. You can then run both platforms simultaneously.

Does it matter what car I drive?

It matters to Bristol City Council’s licensing team more than it matters to Zippe. The council requires your vehicle to be under 10 years old, pass their vehicle inspection, and meet their private hire vehicle standards. Within those parameters, Zippe accepts saloons, estates, MPVs, hybrids, electric vehicles, and wheelchair accessible vehicles.

Can I work in Bath with a Bristol City Council licence?

A Bristol City Council private hire licence authorises you to accept pre-booked trips through a Bristol-licensed operator. Trips that begin in Bristol and end in Bath are generally fine. Basing yourself primarily in Bath and accepting trips originating there is a more complex question — the rules on cross-boundary PHV operation are nuanced and worth confirming directly with Bristol City Council.

What’s the DVLA check code and do I actually need it?

Yes. Bristol City Council requires a DVLA licence check code as part of your application — it allows them to view your driving record online without you posting your physical licence. Generate it through the DVLA’s 'Share Driving Licence' service on gov.uk. Note that each code expires after 21 days.

Is there a knowledge test for private hire drivers in Bristol?

No. Bristol City Council does not require a topographical knowledge test for private hire licence applicants. (The knowledge test applies to hackney carriage — black cab — licences only.)

I have a Bristol licence. Can I drive in Bath?

A Bristol City Council licence allows you to pick up pre-booked passengers through a Bristol-licensed operator. If you plan to base yourself primarily in Bath, you should contact the B&NES licensing team to ensure you are compliant with their specific cross-boundary rules. Often, if Bath is your main area, a B&NES licence is the safer, more professional route.

B&NES has specific vehicle standards regarding age and condition. Always check the B&NES council website before purchasing a vehicle for work. Hybrids and EVs are increasingly popular in Bath—they are cheaper to run in stop-start city traffic and are a big hit with eco-conscious tourists.

Drive with Zippe in Bristol
And South Gloucestershire To Earn More

Drive Fair. Earn Better.

Bristol's busiest areas are covered. Set your own hours. Keep more of what you earn. Zippe is the fairer alternative for Drivers across BS1 to BS16 — and growing fast.

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Learn more about Zippe

Why Bristol and South Gloucestershire
Drivers choose Zippe

Transparent earnings

See exactly what each trip pays before you accept it, and keep more of it. No hidden service fees, no unexplained deductions at the end of your shift.

Your schedule, your rules

Bath's tourist and hospitality economy means demand throughout the week, not just Friday night. Drive the hours that suit you, with no minimums and no penalties.

A platform that respects you

Real support from a team you can actually reach. Zippe was built because drivers deserved better, and that's still what drives every decision we make. Learn more.

Bristol: a city that keeps drivers busy

Bristol is one of the UK's fastest-growing cities, and that means consistent demand for drivers across the week, not just weekends.

High-demand areas for Zippe drivers in Bath include:

City centre (BS1) — restaurants, nightlife, and commuter runs
Clifton & Redland — high footfall from students and professionals
Bristol Temple Meads — station pickups throughout the day
Cabot Circus & Broadmead — retail and evening economy
Bristol Airport — longer fares from Southville, Bedminster and beyond
University of Bristol & UWE campuses — especially busy in term time

Drive with Zippe in South Gloucestershire

We are bringing our "fairness first" mission to South Gloucestershire, offering a better way to work for drivers from Filton to Marshfield. We know the local roads, from the bustle of Cribbs Causeway to the essential school runs in Yate. Unlike global giants, we’re a local partner committed to the idea that mobility should empower communities, not exploit them.

South Gloucestershire is a unique blend of busy commercial hubs and quiet village lanes. We need drivers who know the shortcuts through Bradley Stoke, the best pickup points at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway, and the reliable routes to Thornbury.

Whether you're driving full-time or fitting trips around other commitments, Bristol's size and density mean there's work when you want it.

Start earning in Bristol and South Gloucestershire

Download our Driver app

Download the Driver app and create your account to get started with Zippe.

Upload your personal documents

Safety is important for us at Zippe, so we review and verify all of the required documents before you start driving with us.
Please allow up to 48 hours.

Add vehicle and bank details

We need to know your vehicle information and review and verify this, so uploading vehicle documents is the next thing to do. We also want to ensure you're paid weekly, so be sure to add your payment information. Please allow up to 48 hours.

Start driving!

Once your profile is confirmed you’ll be up and running as a Zippe Driver! Remember our Driver support team can be found within the ‘Help & Support’ section within your app and are happy to help.

Experiences that speak volumes

South Gloucestershire Driver

“I highly recommend to everyone to become a Zippe Driver, it is the best company. They’re friendly, and sometimes you feel like family, you know - and when you work with a company like that, you feel at home and you don't feel like a stranger”
Bath & North East Somerset Driver

"I have absolutely no problems driving with Zippe at all. I’d say that they're straight, they're friendly, they're easy to deal with, they’re understanding if you've got an issue or a problem, which means you can't fulfil a trip."
Tony (Driver)

“Since September 2024 when I first met the management and staff, I found them all friendly and welcoming, and I find them very accommodating when I explained my usual set pattern of working hours. They communicate well and really helped me out when my vehicle broke down recently by providing me with a rental vehicle in order for me to continue working!! All in all I find the company a breath of fresh air in that they will always talk to you, solve any problems, and all with a cheery attitude. Good stuff zippe!!!”
Hannah (Driver)

“Zippe are a great company to work for, the staff are all very friendly and approachable. They are also quick to respond to any queries or issues that I have.”
South Gloucestershire Driver

"I do recommend other drivers to be part of Zippe's team - or you could say family. It's a whole system, everything is organised, everything in place, you know what job you're doing"

Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the Zippe Driver FAQ, your guide to how we’re redefining the transport industry. From competitive earnings and steady school contracts to our "family-first" ethical culture, you’ll find clear, honest answers to all your most important questions right here.

Yes. To drive with Zippe in Bristol you'll need a private hire driver's licence issued by Bristol City Council, a private hire vehicle licence for your car, and valid private hire insurance. If you're not yet licensed, our requirements page walks you through everything step by step.
Earnings vary depending on when and where you drive, but Bristol drivers typically earn most during weekday commuter hours, Friday and Saturday evenings, and during events at the Ashton Gate Stadium or Beacon. Unlike platforms that take up to 25–30% commission, Zippe's fee structure means more of each fare stays in your pocket. [Add specific earnings figure here when data is available.]
Yes, there’s no exclusivity requirement. You’re free to drive for multiple platforms simultaneously. Many Zippe drivers multi-app and find their overall earnings improve because of our lower commission rate.ription
Most drivers are approved and live within 48 hours of submitting their documents, assuming everything is in order. The main variable is how quickly we can verify your Bristol City Council licence. Once approved, you can start accepting trips immediately.
Your vehicle needs to meet Bristol City Council's private hire vehicle standards — generally, it must be under 10 years old, pass a council vehicle inspection, and have a valid MOT and private hire insurance. We accept a range of vehicles including saloons, estates, and MPVs. Electric vehicles are welcome and increasingly in demand.
No. There are no minimum hours or trip requirements. You drive when it suits you — whether that's 5 hours a week or 50. Zippe is designed to work around your life, not the other way around.

Contact us for additional support

Ready To Drive?

Drive Fair. Earn Better.

Get started for free on the Zippe Driver App

Drive with Zippe in Bristol
And South Gloucestershire To Earn More

Drive Fair. Earn Better.