Thinking about getting started as a driver for Uber? It can be a great source of income, whether you’re considering just doing it as a side gig or going full-time. Regardless of the amount of hours you’re planning to put into it, there are some things you need to familiarize yourself with before you get started.
It may seem as though being a ridesharing driver is an easy profession to jump into without additional worries and overwhelming bureaucracy, and for the most part, that is true.
However, working for Uber or any other similar service means that you will have to organize your own schedule, take extreme care of your vehicle, as well as ensure the provision of all the necessary equipment and amenities that will make life easier for you and your customers.
Follow the advice below in order to keep that five-star rating intact!
Ensure that your vehicle is suitable for ridesharing
This one is pretty self explanatory. If your car is not properly adjusted to drive around strangers for money, you need to change that ASAP. This means adhering to the standards set out by Uber, as well as all of the laws and regulations in your city. If you’re a responsible driver and citizen, chances are you already got that out of the way.
If not — well, nobody’s perfect! This is why articles like this one exist.
First of all, make sure that your car is big enough and is not too old. Uber’s requirements in that regard vary from city to city, but the general rule is that the vehicle’s manufacture date should be within the last 15 years. They also need to have four-doors and five factory installed seatbelts.
If, for some reason your car does not meet those requirements, but you’re still determined to become an Uber driver, fear not! You can always pay someone to loan you their vehicle. If you’re wondering where to rent a car for Uber, there are plenty of viable options available online.
Before you use any of them, double check if they are able to provide you with the necessary documentation. This is crucial, unless you’re fine with potentially facing criminal charges.
Related: How to Make Money Online with Cars
Accessorize to keep your customers happy
Always keep a charging cable in your car. You never know when you, or one of your riders might need to charge their phone. An ideal driver has all the commonly used charger types: miniUSB, USB-C and Apple’s Lightning cable. This one can make or break your rating sometimes, so it’s definitely worth sacrificing a couple bucks for.
Another accessory that is particularly useful, if you want to be remembered as a solid driver is an AUX cord. Mind you, this means that you will have to put up with your riders’ horrendous music tastes sometimes but hey — people have put up with worse things to rack up those five stars.
Finally, equip yourself with some blind spot mirrors to stay extra safe. They’re relatively inexpensive and can make a big difference in terms of looking out for cyclists and other potential road hazards.
Synchronize with your city
Plenty of Uber drivers complain about their city being a terrible place for ridesharing. They struggle with finding riders, mindlessly driving around town and missing out on potential opportunities.
Most of the time, those guys are full of crap. Yes, it’s true that a driver in Manhattan might rake in thousands of dollars every month, regardless of when and how they drive. If you live in a less densely populated area, or are new to the city, you need to put in the hours in order to figure out how to make the most of your time on the road.
First of all, learn the most important roads. Find out the times at which they’re at their busiest (no, it’s not always going to be the traditional rush hours). Scour business districts to see when the majority of people get off work, or go out for lunch, so you can be there when they need a ride. On a regular day, these areas are where you’re most likely to find work, so it’s an absolute necessity, if you want to be profitable.
Secondly, check out your town’s schedule for a couple weeks in advance. Concerts, elections or important sporting events generate loads of additional demand. Know exactly when and where they will be taking place. That way you will stay ahead of the other, less resourceful drivers, not to mention profiting off price increases during those sweet, sweet surge hours.
Finally, space out your work week. Divide your working hours into shifts, just like you would at a regular job. Don’t work for prolonged periods of time, thinking that you will make up for a lousy day — you’re less focused when you’re tired and therefore much less likely to generate any additional income.
