Christmas and New Year are two of the best times of the year for PCO drivers in England. High streets are busy, shops stay open late, families are visiting each other, and many people are going to parties, events, and the airport. Most passengers do not want the stress of driving, parking, or worrying about drinking, so they prefer to book a safe, comfortable PCO car instead. So, drivers, you can have longer journeys and more opportunities to increase your weekly earnings.
Today, we will show you how to make the most of the Christmas and New Year rush, how to stay safe on winter roads, and how to choose the right PCO car for hire or rent to buy with Zoom PCO Hire so you can start earning more straight away.
Festive Demand Patterns Across England
The Christmas and New Year rush is not only busy in central London. As a PCO driver, you can find good demand in towns and cities all over England. From local high streets to major airports, people still need safe and reliable rides, even outside London. When you understand where demand increases, you can position yourself in the right place at the right time and make your shifts more profitable.
Where Demand Spikes During the Festive Season
During the festive period, demand often rises in:
- Christmas shopping, winter markets, lights, and late-night opening hours all create a steady flow of short and medium trips.
- Bars, restaurants, clubs, and New Year’s Eve events mean more passengers who prefer a safe ride home instead of driving.
- Early-morning and late-night arrivals and departures are common as people travel to see family or go on holiday, which is ideal for longer, better-paying trips.
- Last-minute gift shopping, Boxing Day sales, and January deals bring constant traffic in and out of large shopping areas.
- Ice rinks, Christmas markets, football matches, concerts, and other winter events attract visitors who often rely on PCO and PHV cars.
How to Maximise Earnings During Christmas & New Year
You do not earn more money just by staying online for longer. The real difference comes from when you work, where you drive, and how you plan your shifts. With a smart strategy, you can increase your festive income without burning yourself out.
Plan Your Shifts Around Peak Demand
Instead of being online all day, focus on the busiest times and dates:
- Work more on Fridays, Saturdays, and key dates.
- Position yourself near city centres, shopping areas, stations, airports, and nightlife zones instead of chasing every single ping across town. With this, you can reduce dead mileage and wasted fuel.
- When you can, accept airport runs, train station pick-ups, and longer journeys.
These trips often pay better and are more efficient than many short, low-value rides.
Use the Right Platforms & Features
Most private hire apps give you tools to help you spot busy periods. Use them to your advantage:
- Check in-app maps that show high-demand areas so you can move closer before the rush starts, not after.
- Look out for quests, streaks, surge pricing, or bonus offers. Plan your online time around these to make more money in fewer hours.
- If you are waiting too long between jobs, reposition to a busier spot nearby rather than sitting in the same place, losing time and fuel.
Earnings vs Fatigue – Look After Yourself
Good earnings are only worth it if you stay healthy and safe:
- Take short breaks by stepping out of the car, stretching your legs, and giving your eyes a rest every few hours.
- Stay hydrated and eat properly by keeping water and simple snacks in the car so you do not rely on fast food and energy drinks all day.
- If you feel sleepy, stressed, or unfocused, log off and rest. Safe driving protects you, your passengers, and your licence.
Stay Safe on Winter Roads (PCO Driver Safety Checklist)
Winter roads can be unforgiving, especially when you are working long hours. Cold weather, dark evenings, and busy streets all increase the risk of accidents and breakdowns. For a PCO driver, that does not just mean stress; this means lost income if your car is off the road. A few simple checks before and during your shift can help keep you safe and earning.
Vehicle Checks Before You Start Your Shift
Make it a habit to give your car a quick check before you go online:
- Tyres: Ensure the tread depth is legal, and there is sufficient grip. Check the tyre pressure and adjust if needed to ensure the car handles well in cold, wet conditions.
- Lights: Test your headlights, brake lights, and indicators. You must be clearly seen by other drivers and pedestrians, especially in the dark.
- Fluids: Check oil, coolant, and screen wash levels. Use screen wash that works in low temperatures so your windscreen does not smear or freeze.
- Windows and mirrors: Clear all ice, mist, and dirt before you move off. You should have a clear view in every direction, not just a small gap in the windscreen.
- Heater and demister: Make sure the heater and front and rear demisters work properly so you can keep the glass clear throughout your shift.
Drive Safely in Dark, Wet, and Icy Conditions
Once you are on the road, smooth and calm driving will keep you and your passengers safe:
Leave extra braking distance
- In rain, ice, or fog, give yourself more space behind the car in front so you can stop in time if traffic suddenly slows.
Avoid harsh acceleration and braking
- Gentle steering, braking, and acceleration help your tyres keep grip and reduce the chance of skidding.
Slow down on country roads and unfamiliar routes
- Rural and side roads may have black ice, standing water, or sharp bends. Take your time and do not rush, even if the road looks quiet.
Use the low beam in heavy rain or fog
- Full beam can reflect off rain and fog, making it harder to see. Low beam helps you see the road and prevents dazzling other drivers.
Be extra careful in busy pedestrian areas
- Around Christmas, in shopping streets, markets, and nightlife zones, people may step into the road without looking. Drive slowly and be ready to stop.
How to Choose the Right PCO Hire Car for the Festive Rush
The car you drive at Christmas and New Year can make a big difference to your income and your stress levels. The right PCO car hire gives you more comfort on long shifts, better reliability in cold weather, lower running costs and happier passengers, which often leads to better ratings and tips. When you match your PCO car to the type of trips you want, you can make the most of the festive rush.
7-Seater / XL PCO Cars: Perfect for Families and Airport Runs
If you want more group and airport work, a larger PCO car is a strong choice.
- Great for families, groups and lots of bags, such as when people travel with children or relatives.
- Can earn higher fares on some apps when you are booked as an XL or 7-seater.
- Ideal for airport, hotel and event trips where people have suitcases, hand luggage and coats.
- Very useful when passengers carry Christmas gifts, shopping bags or prams and need extra space.
Popular 7 seater models for PCO car hire include options like Mercedes Sport Edition, Maxus Mifa 9 or similar MPVs that offer comfort and a big boot.
Hybrid PCO Cars: Ideal for Long Shifts
Hybrid cars are a favourite for many full-time PCO drivers across England.
- Lower fuel cost compared with a standard petrol car, which helps protect your profit on busy days.
- No need to rely on public chargers, you can fill up at the petrol station and keep working.
- Good for a mix of city traffic and motorway driving, for example, between town centres and airports
- Many popular hybrid models, such as the Toyota Prius Hybrid, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid or the Kia Niro Hybrid, are often ULEZ and Clean Air Zone friendly in big cities.
If you plan to work long hours across the whole festive period, a reliable hybrid on PCO car hire can be a very smart choice.
Electric PCO Cars: Low Running Cost with Smart Winter Planning
Electric cars can work very well for PCO drivers who plan carefully.
- Very low charging cost per mile compared to petrol or diesel, which can increase your net earnings.
- A quiet and smooth ride, which gives passengers a more relaxed experience and can support better ratings.
- In cold weather, the range can drop, so you need to allow for a shorter distance between charges and avoid running the battery too low.
- Works best when you know where and when you will charge, for example, at home overnight, at a workplace charger or at fast chargers near your regular routes
Good examples of electric cars often used for PCO work include models such as Nissan, Hyundai Ioniq Electric, Volkswagen or MG5. When used with a clear charging plan, they can be very cost-effective.
Car Hire vs Rent to Buy for Christmas and Beyond
When you choose your PCO car plan, it also helps to think about how long you want to stay in the job.
Car Hire
- Lower commitment, as you can return the car when your agreement ends.
- A good option if you are testing the market, trying a new platform or working mainly over the festive season.
- Helpful if you want a simple weekly payment and are not ready to own a car yet.
Rent to buy
- Better for drivers who see PCO work as a long-term career, not just a short-term job.
- Each payment takes you closer to owning the car at the end of the plan.
- Makes more sense if you plan to drive all year round, not only at Christmas and New Year.
Tips from Experienced PCO Drivers
Christmas and New Year shifts feel very different from a normal week. The roads are busier, people are in party mode, and your days can be long. Drivers who have worked many festive seasons know that a few small habits can make the whole period easier, less stressful and more profitable. Here are simple, real-life tips by experienced drivers:
- Keep snacks and water in the car to save you from wasting time getting food at service stations.
- Save popular drop-off locations in your maps.
- In winter, people bring in mud, rain and sometimes spilled drinks. Good covers and mats protect your PCO car interior and make cleaning quick at the end of the shift.
- A tidy cabin, fresh smell and clean windows make a strong first impression. Passengers feel safer and more comfortable, which often leads to better ratings and the chance of tips.
- Stay calm with traffic and drunk passengers.
How Zoom PCO Hire Helps PCO Drivers This Festive Season
At Zoom PCO Hire, we support PCO and PHV drivers across England with flexible PCO car hire and rent to buy options that work especially well during busy times like Christmas and New Year. Our goal is to help you stay on the road, stay legal and stay earning, without worrying about the car.
We offer:
- A wide choice of PCO-ready cars, including hybrid, electric, 7 seater and executive models for Uber, Bolt and other platforms.
- Vehicles that are fully licensed and registered for private hire use, so you can start working with confidence.
- Flexible rental and rent-to-buy plans, depending on whether you want a short-term solution or a long-term career car
- Coverage across England, so you are not limited to one city or area.
- Simple onboarding for new PCO drivers, with friendly help on documents and basic requirements
Frequently Asked Questions for PCO Drivers in England
Is Christmas and New Year really a good time to work as a PCO driver in England?
Yes. December is usually one of the busiest months of the year for private hire and Uber-type work, with extra demand from shopping, parties, family visits and airports. Many drivers see higher earnings in the run-up to Christmas and on key dates like New Year’s Eve if they plan their shifts well.
What are the best days and times to drive if I want to maximise festive earnings?
The busiest periods are often Fridays and Saturdays in December, Christmas Eve, the days around Boxing Day sales and New Year’s Eve. Late afternoons and evenings are strong for shopping and nights out, while early mornings and late nights work well for airport and long-distance trips. Planning around these peaks usually pays better than being online all day.
What type of PCO car works best for Christmas airport runs and winter driving?
For airport runs and family trips, a comfortable hybrid or 7 seater is often ideal because it gives more space for passengers and luggage while keeping fuel costs under control. Drivers who mainly do city work may prefer a hybrid or EV to save on running costs and Clean Air Zone charges, as long as they plan their charging or refuelling.
Are airport runs and long trips actually worth it during the Christmas holidays?
For many PCO drivers, they are. Festive travel means more people going to and from airports, stations and hotels, often with bags and family members. These jobs can be higher value than short inner-city trips. They may involve less stopping and starting in heavy traffic if you time them outside the busiest hours.
How should I plan fuel or charging stops for winter PCO driving?
In cold weather, you should expect slightly higher fuel use and, for EVs, a noticeable drop in range. Try to fill up or charge before your shift, avoid running the tank or battery very low, and build short fuel or charging breaks into quieter parts of the day instead of waiting until you are nearly empty. Knowing where your nearest petrol stations and chargers are will save you stress and downtime.
Is it safe to drive at night over Christmas and New Year, and what should I watch out for?
Night work can be profitable, but you need to be careful. Risk goes up with tired drivers, poor visibility, bad weather and passengers who have been drinking. Leave extra space, keep your speed sensible, avoid driving when you feel very tired and be patient with road users and pedestrians, especially around nightlife and busy town centres.
Can I get a PCO car hire or rent-to-buy just for the Christmas and New Year period?
Many drivers choose short-term PCO car hire for the festive rush, especially if they only plan to work part-time or want to test the job. Rent-to-buy usually suits drivers who want to work all year and eventually own the car. At Zoom PCO Hire, we offer PCO cars for hire and rent to buy options across England, so you can pick what fits your plans for Christmas and beyond.
Final Thoughts
Christmas and New Year can be one of the best times of the year for PCO drivers in England, with higher demand, more long trips and a real chance to increase your earnings. To make the most of it, focus on working at busy times, staying in the right areas and choosing a safe, comfortable and cost-effective PCO car that can handle winter driving. Safety, good planning and the right vehicle all work together to keep you earning smoothly through the festive season.
If you are ready to get started, Zoom PCO Hire can help with PCO car hire and rent to buy options across England, so you can find the right car for your goals and start driving.
