PrivateHireKit
Private hire car essentials checklist (UK)
A good shift is mostly about small things: a phone that never dies, a clean back seat, and something ready when a passenger feels unwell. Here is the full list, grouped so you can tick it off in one trip.
This is a buying guide, not legal advice. Your licensing authority (TfL in London, or your local council) sets the rules for your vehicle. Always check their current conditions before adding signs, cameras or fittings.
1. Power and phone (buy first)
- A sturdy phone mount placed so it doesn't block your view of the road. See our mount and charger guide.
- A fast in-car charger with USB-C Power Delivery, 30W or more, with two ports so a passenger can charge too.
- Two good cables (USB-C and Lightning), braided, 1 metre for you and 2 metres for the back seat.
- A power bank as a backup for the day the car socket fails.
See dual-port car chargers See 2m braided cables
2. Cleanliness (protects your rating)
- Rubber floor mats that lift out and rinse in seconds, much better than carpet mats in a wet UK winter.
- Water-resistant seat covers for the rear seats, if your seats are fabric.
- A cordless handheld vacuum for crumbs and grit between jobs.
- Microfibre cloths and interior wipes for door handles, screens and seat belts.
- A small bin or door-pocket bag so rubbish never ends up on the floor.
Our cleaning routine guide explains how to use these in three minutes. See rubber mats
3. Passenger care
- Sick bags kept in the seat-back pocket. One unwell passenger without a bag can cost you a whole evening off the road for a deep clean.
- Tissues and a small pack of hand sanitiser.
- A large umbrella for walking passengers to the door in heavy rain.
- A neutral, low-scent air freshener. Strong scents get complaints; many passengers prefer none.
4. Safety and breakdowns
- A first aid kit in the boot or glovebox.
- A dash cam, which is your best witness if there's a dispute or collision. Read our dash cam guide first, especially if you're thinking about a cabin camera.
- A hi-vis vest, warning triangle and torch for a breakdown at night.
- A tyre inflator (12V) and a tread depth gauge. Low tyres waste fuel and are a common reason for failing a vehicle inspection.
- An ice scraper and de-icer from November to March.
See car first aid kits See tyre inflators
5. Comfort for long shifts
- A lumbar support cushion. Ten-hour shifts are hard on the lower back.
- An insulated bottle so you're not buying drinks every few hours.
- A boot organiser to keep all of the above from rolling around and leave the boot free for luggage.
What to skip
- Cheap no-name chargers with no safety marking: they're slow and can overheat.
- Windscreen suction mounts in the middle of the screen: they can block your view and may not be allowed by your licensing authority.
- Loud LED lighting and big stickers: many authorities control what you can display on a licensed vehicle.
Printable checklist
☐ Phone mount ☐ 30W+ dual charger ☐ 2 cables ☐ Power bank
☐ Rubber mats ☐ Seat covers ☐ Handheld vacuum ☐ Cloths and wipes ☐ Bin bag
☐ Sick bags ☐ Tissues ☐ Sanitiser ☐ Umbrella
☐ First aid kit ☐ Dash cam ☐ Hi-vis, triangle, torch ☐ Tyre inflator ☐ Scraper and de-icer
☐ Lumbar cushion ☐ Bottle ☐ Boot organiser
Last updated / হালনাগাদ: 2026-11-11