Private hire car hire for minicab and app drivers
Private hire car hire means renting a car licensed as a private hire vehicle (PHV), the kind minicab and app drivers use. On Kharo you see the rent, deposit and insurance before you apply.
Last reviewed 19 October 2026
Private hire, minicab and PCO cars are the same thing
A private hire vehicle, a minicab and a PCO car all mean a car licensed to carry passengers who book in advance, through an app or a booking office. In London the licence comes from Transport for London (TfL), so people call it a PCO car. Outside London it comes from the local council, and the car has a private hire licence from the council.
Private hire is not a taxi licence
A taxi, called a hackney carriage (a black cab in London), can pick up people who hail it in the street. It needs a taxi licence. A private hire car can only take booked journeys. Kharo lists private hire cars. If you want a car to drive for apps like Uber and Bolt, a private hire car is usually what you need.
What you pay
- Weekly rent From £95 a week. The car in the middle of the range is £170.
- Deposit The deposit is two and a half weeks' rent, held by Kharo, not the rental company. It is split over your first 2 monthly payments. You get it all back if there is no new damage.
- Insurance We get you competitive quotes from different insurance brokers, and you choose the one you want.
- Servicing Servicing, MOT and repairs are included on every car on Kharo.
- See the full cost of hiring a car
Hiring a private hire car outside London
- Your private hire driver licence comes from your council
- The car needs a private hire vehicle licence, usually from the same council
- The firm that takes your bookings usually needs a licence from that council too
- Ask the rental company which apps accept the car in your city before you pay a deposit
- Private hire cars for rent in Birmingham
- Private hire cars for rent in Manchester
- Private hire cars for rent in Leeds
- Private hire cars for rent in Sheffield
- Private hire cars for rent in Wolverhampton
- Private hire cars for rent in Liverpool
- Browse private hire cars by city
More guides
- Renting a PCO car with penalty points Points on your licence do not always stop you renting a PCO car. But they change who will rent to you, and what your insurance costs.
- PCO driver glossary The words you will meet, in plain English.
- All guides
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Questions
Is private hire car hire the same as PCO car hire?
Yes. PCO car is the London name for a private hire car. Outside London the car is licensed by the local council instead of TfL.
Can I rent a black cab or hackney carriage on Kharo?
No. Kharo lists private hire cars only, which take booked journeys through apps and booking offices.
Can I hire a private hire car on Kharo today?
Cars are not booked online yet. You can see the cars and prices now. Register your interest or message us on WhatsApp, and we'll help you arrange a car.
Is insurance included in the rent?
No. The weekly price is the rent, set by the rental company. We get you competitive quotes from different insurance brokers, and you choose the one you want.