As a PCO and private hire driver, working around London airports has its ups and downs. As a result of regular visitors in and out the country, the demand for PCO and private hire drivers increases and that means increase of fares. However, as the surge pricing is calculated in real time the fare price can change quickly depending as a consequence to weather change, rush hour or events happening around the area.
In all London airports, drop-off charges are enforced and it applied to all vehicles that drop-off passengers in front of airport terminals. As a PCO and private hire driver, getting penalty charge notices is part of the daily routine. More than 20% of these notices are during drop off to either Heathrow and Gatwick airport.
When vehicles enter any London Airports a parking charge fee of £5 (up to 10 minutes only) must be paid, unless you have an exemption certificate.
To support PCO and private hire drivers, below is details on how much London airports charge for drop off and how PCO and private hire drivers can pay the fees.
HEATHROW AIRPORT
Drop-off charges for Heathrow Airport – When dropping off passengers at Heathrow Airport, all vehicles that enter Heathrow including PCO and private hire drivers, you must pay £5 (up to 10 minutes) drop-off charge fee. The drop-off areas are all set in front of the terminal buildings. However, if you forget to pay the charge fee before midnight the next day, you will end up paying a parking charge notice (PCN) of £80 and this will be reduced to £40 if you pay within 14 days.
How drop-off charges are monitored – This is administered through the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. The system operates 24/7 around the clock and 365-days year and there are no boundaries to show when the drop-off charge starts; therefore, the charge occurs soon as PCO and private hire drivers, drive into the drop-off areas.
Ways to pay drop-off charges – As a PCO and private hire driver, you will not be able to pay the drop-off charge at any of the airport ticket machines in any of the terminal drop-off areas. Nonetheless, there are many ways to pay for the drop-off charge such as pay on the same day as the drop-off, or before midnight on the next days. Also, you can pay online, via automated telephone, autopay or even pay in advance. In order to pay via autopay, you must create an account online via the terminal’s page and register your PCO vehicle and then set up autopay.
Nonetheless, there are free drop-offs in Heathrow Airport, this can only be accessed through the long stay terminal car parks, where passenger can transfer to the terminals without stress or rushing.
GATWICK AIRPORT
Drop-off charges for Gatwick Airport – The drop-off charge fee at Gatwick Airport is similar to Heathrow, all vehicles that enter Gatwick including PCO and private hire drivers, you must pay £5 (up to 10 minutes) drop-off charge fee and this applies to drop-off on both North and South Terminals of the airport.
In addition, after the 10 minutes ends, you will be charged £1 for every minutes you wait (up to 20 minutes). The maximum length of time you can wait is 30 minutes and in total you be charged £25. However, if you forget to pay the charge fee before midnight the next day, you will end up paying a parking charge notice (PCN) of £100 and this will be reduced to £60 if you pay within 14 days.
How drop-off charges are monitored – Gatwick airport use the same method as Heathrow to monitor vehicle drop-off and it is administered through the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. The system operates 24/7 around the clock and 365-days year and there are no boundaries to show when the drop-off charge starts; therefore, the charge occurs soon as PCO and private hire drivers, drive into the drop-off areas.
Ways to pay drop-off charges – Like Heathrow, as a PCO and private hire driver, you will not be able to pay the drop-off charge at any of the airport ticket machines in any of the terminal drop-off areas. Nonetheless, there are many ways to pay for the drop-off charge such as pay on the same day as the drop-off, or before midnight on the next days. Also, you can pay online, via automated telephone, autopay or even pay in advance. In order to pay via autopay, you must create an account online via the terminal’s page and register your PCO vehicle and then set up autopay.
Nonetheless, there are free drop-offs in Gatwick Airport, this can only be accessed through the long stay terminal car parks, where passenger can transfer to the terminals without stress or rushing as there is 2 hours free parking and free shuttle buses available to go from North to South Terminals.
LONDON LUTON AIRPORT
Drop-off charges for Luton Airport – All vehicles that enter London Luton Airport including PCO and private hire vehicles, must pay £5 (up to 100 minutes) drop-off charge fee, when dropping [passengers at the Priority Drop Off Zone near the terminal building. In addition, after the 10 minutes ends, you will be charged £1 for every minutes you wait.
As a PCO and private hire driver, if you drop-off passengers on the on the approach roads, round about or even on the airport bus lane, you will be fined £95 and this will be reduced to £55 if you pay within 14 days.
However, due to recent fire in Terminal Car Park 2, passenger drop-off is at the Mid Stay Car Park and you it is free of charge for 30 minutes, after that you will have to pay a fee. Passengers can use the Shuttle buses that run between the car park and the terminal building or it is a 10-minute walk.
How drop-off charges are monitored– Luton airport use CCTV cameras to monitor all vehicles that enter the airport terminal.
Ways to pay drop-off charges – PCO and private hire drivers can make the charge fee via card (no fees will be charged when you use your card) and you will not be able to pay with cash, card payment only.
Alternatively, PCO and private hire drivers can park their vehicle(s) at the Long Stay Car Park, which is free for 1 hour.
STANSTED AIRPORT
Drop-off charges of Stansted Airport – All vehicles that enter London Stansted Airport terminal Express Set Down zone, including PCO and private hire vehicles must pay a drop-off charge fee of £7 up to 15 minutes, £25 you go over 15 minutes and if you re-enter within 30 minutes of entering the first time a fee of £20 must be paid.
How drop-off charges are monitored – Stansted Airport has upgraded the CCTV enforcement cameras at the exits of the drop off zones and at short stay car park to prevent tailgating drivers. If the drop-off charge fee is not paid a Parking Penalty Notice (PCN) will be issued.
Ways to pay drop-off charges – To pay the drop-off charge fee, PCO and private hire drivers can use the automatic ticket machine that are in the terminal building or make card payment card (no fees will be charged when you use your card) or you can pre-book.
Otherwise, for quick drop-offs, PCO and private hire drivers can use the Short Stay car parks and Mid Stay car park (this is free parking).
LONDON CITY AIRPORT
There are no drop-off charges fee when you go to London City Airport. As a PCO and private hire driver you can drop-off your passengers; however, you are not permitted to wait. If PCO or private hire drivers wait, then a fine will be issued.
The method used to monitor all vehicles entering the airport is through the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system. The system operates 24/7 around the clock and 365-days year and there are no boundaries to show when the drop-off charge starts; therefore, the charge occurs soon as PCO and private hire drivers, drive into the drop-off areas.
