Let’s face it, London isn’t exactly known for being cheap. Between congestion charges, £1.99 bananas at service stations, and the rising price of literally everything, being a PCO driver in the capital can feel like a game of “Who Wants to Keep Their Margins?”

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But don’t panic. There are ways to boost your bottom line without resorting to instant noodles for every meal.

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Whether you’re new to the game or an Uber veteran, here are 8 money-saving hacks every PCO driver in London should know. Your bank account will thank you. Probably in emojis.

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1. Fuel Smart

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Petrol and diesel are two of your biggest costs, unless you’re electric (in which case, skip to Hack #2, you futuristic wizard).

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Here’s what to do:

• Use apps like PetrolPrices or Waze to find the cheapest nearby stations.
  
  
• Avoid motorway service stations unless you fancy paying £1.89 for air.
  
  
• Fill up during the week; prices often rise on Fridays.
  
  

🚗 Bonus tip: If you’re on a fuel card scheme, check if you're really saving — sometimes local prices beat them!

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2. Go Electric

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We know, we know, EVs aren’t cheap. But if you’re driving 40+ hours a week, the savings on fuel, Congestion Charge, and ULEZ fees are massive. And you can always just make the transition and get it financed the Halal way with Ayan 👀

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Let’s break it down:

• No Congestion Charge: £15/day saved.
  
  
• No ULEZ: £12.50/day saved.
  
  
• Charging can cost 60–70% less than petrol.
  
  

That’s potentially £4,000+ saved per year, even before factoring in government grants, incentives, or splitting the cost by getting it financed. 

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3. Avoid Congestion & ULEZ Zones

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If you’re not in an EV, be strategic. Sometimes, that 3-mile trip into Central London isn’t worth the £27.50 hit.

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Use your sat-nav like a money-saving compass. If the job won’t cover the fees, decline and keep it moving.

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4. Clean Your Own Car

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Spending £10 a week on car washes? That’s £520 a year, for something a bucket and sponge can handle.

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Keep a microfibre cloth and spray bottle in the boot. Wipe between jobs. Save money. It looks fresh. Simple.

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Want five stars from picky passengers? Vacuum the back seats and get a pine air freshener. “Smells like professionalism” they’ll say.

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5. Claim Every Expense You Can

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If you're self-employed, you’re probably entitled to claim for:

• Fuel and maintenance
  
  
• Insurance
  
  
• Mobile phone bills (the portion used for work)
  
  
• Car washes (yes, even if you ignore Hack #4)
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Keep your receipts and use an app like QuickBooks or Expensify to track things properly. Tax savings aren’t glamorous, but they are powerful.

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6. Compare Insurance Every Year

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PCO insurance is expensive, yes. But loyalty doesn’t always pay. Don’t auto-renew.

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Shop around using specialist brokers or comparison tools like DCL , Zego, or even local PCO forums.

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Don’t forget to check reviews; cheaper doesn’t always mean better when it comes to claims.

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Psst… if you want a wholesale discount from DCL, you can always just get your car financed by Ayan 👀

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7. Time Your Shifts Like a Genius

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Driving during dead hours (Tuesday mornings, we’re looking at you) burns fuel and wastes time.

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Instead:

• Work peak hours (weekday mornings/evenings, weekend nights)
  
  
• Target big events (football matches, concerts, train strikes… basically British chaos)
  
  
• Use the Uber heatmap to know where the surges are
  
  

Be like a fox. A very punctual fox.

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8. Multi-App Like a Pro

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Why wait 10 minutes on Uber when you could get a job instantly on Bolt, FREE NOW, or Ola?

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Running multiple apps increases your earnings and reduces downtime, just don’t leave passengers stranded while you shop for better fares mid-trip. They notice. Trust me. I’ve noticed.

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Final Thoughts

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Driving in London as a PCO driver isn’t easy, but you can keep more of what you earn. With a bit of planning, some clever app usage, and the occasional sponge bath for your car, you’ll be saving money in no time.

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Remember: It’s not about working more, it’s about working smarter. 

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And for the third, shameless time in this blog, if you want to get your car financed the Halal way, Ayan’s got your back - Apply here!