PCO drivers who use hired cars have to deal with many expenses, including weekly hire fees and fuel costs. Plus, the competition is extremely tough in the industry, so simply carrying passengers from one point to another isn’t enough to achieve your income goals. You need to adopt smart strategies to get the maximum value out of every mile you drive.

Sadly, not many drivers know what those strategies are. So, they barely make any profits despite working hard. If you are also using PCO car hire and want to learn how to maximise your profits, this article has all the necessary information.

First of All, Choose the Right Car

The car you drive plays an important role in your expenses. Pick the right car and you will avoid many unwanted costs. Pick the wrong car and your profits can collapse before you even realise what’s happened.

Many drivers make the mistake of choosing a car based on its appearance, but there are more important things to consider, such as fuel type. Sure, petrol and diesel cars have low weekly hire fees, but they come with daily ULEZ and congestion charges, which could cost you hundreds of pounds per month.

On the other hand, EVs are fully exempt from daily charges, which can significantly improve your savings. Although EVs have higher weekly hire costs, the savings from daily charges can quickly offset those costs. Plus, charging an EV is far more economical than filling up your petrol tank. So, that’s more savings for you.

In addition to fuel type, you should also consider the car size. Standard saloons are ideal for short, inner-city rides, while 7-seaters are more suited to airport runs and group travel.

Know When and Where to Drive

Driving long hours doesn’t always mean more earnings. You should know when and where to drive. For instance, the demand for drivers peaks during morning and evening hours on work days, as these are the times when most people leave or head back to their homes.

In addition, many people head to bars, restaurants, or theatres on Friday and Saturday nights. Driving during these hours could bring you back-to-back rides and improve your daily earnings.

In some areas, the demand increases so much that companies like Uber and Bolt surge their fares to encourage more drivers to operate there. You can find these areas through the heatmap feature of these apps and earn up to 2x the normal fares. However, surge areas vanish quickly, so you will need to know when and where they happen in advance to stay ahead of the competition.

You will learn that with experience.

Understand Your Hire Agreement

You should never sign a contract without fully reading it first. Many contracts include hidden terms that can eat into your profits. The worst part is that you can’t contest them later because you didn’t pay attention when signing the contract.

Let’s start with mileage. Many hire companies include a weekly mileage cap, which can range anywhere between 700 and 1,200 miles. Exceeding that limit means you will have to pay an additional fee for every extra mile you drive.

Similarly, some companies offer comprehensive insurance that covers everything from auto body repairs to injuries in case of accidents, while some companies offer third-party only cover. The latter could leave you vulnerable both legally and financially when involved in a serious accident.

Another detail many drivers overlook is contract flexibility. Before signing the contract, make sure you can switch to a smaller car or hand it back on short notice when the work dries up. This way, you won’t be stuck paying for a car you are not driving.

Maintain Good Ratings

Good ratings are essential for higher earnings, whether you are driving your own car or a hired one. Drivers with higher ratings get priority in the algorithm and enjoy juicy bonuses that drivers with low ratings don’t even see.

There are several things you can do to maintain good ratings. For instance, staying polite and professional leaves a good impression on passengers.

Similarly, passengers expect to travel in clean cars. Vehicles that are filled with clutter, crumbs, or foul smells often result in negative reviews.

If you want to go the extra mile, greet passengers while they board or alight from your vehicle, ask if they need a phone charger, and offer them water on hot days. Riders love these small gestures and often leave high tips and positive feedback as a result.

Consider Multiple Platforms

Sticking to one platform won’t pay your bills because the passenger demand keeps fluctuating. Smart drivers register with multiple platforms like Uber, Bolt, FREE NOW, and Ola. This allows you to switch to another platform when the demand drops on one.

While Uber remains the market leader with the largest customer base, Bolt is also gaining recognition due to its low commission rate, which allows you to keep more of what you earn in your pocket. Similarly, FREE NOW and Ola often lure passengers with competitive pricing, which can be helpful when Uber and Bolt are slow.

Each platform has its own perks, so you should never put all your eggs in one basket.

Final Thoughts

Maximising your earnings with a hired PCO car is possible. However, you just need to follow the right strategies, such as the ones mentioned above. Some of these might be tricky, such as choosing the right car insurance, but you will become familiar with them over time.

Just remember one thing: your hired car is your source of income. Choose it wisely, take care of it, and you will instantly notice an improvement in your income. Good luck!

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Company Name: Avxrepairs
Contact Person: James Smith
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City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://avxrepairs.co.uk/