Under the section titled “Uber’s Service Fee”, the company states that the fee is charged per ride and is calculated on the fare and applicable surcharges, excluding tips and third-party payments. The document confirms the service fee is inclusive of VAT and exclusive of holiday pay.
Uber has confirmed that it can take between 3% and 49% per trip from UK drivers as a service fee (Commission), according to wording contained in a recent Uber driver email and updated UK terms shared with drivers.
DM News Commentary
This clarification is significant because it openly confirms something many drivers have suspected for years. While Uber often refers to itself as a “technology platform” or “agent”, the ability to deduct nearly half of a fare reinforces how much control the company retains over pricing and earnings.
Drivers have reacted with frustration, particularly at the 49% upper limit, with many questioning how a platform fee approaching half the fare can be justified when drivers cover:
- Vehicle purchase or lease
- Fuel or charging
- Insurance
- Maintenance
- Licensing
- Their own tax obligations
This revelation is likely to strengthen calls for clearer regulation, capped commission structures, or greater transparency in how fees are calculated.
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