Marc Serafino
Driving for Uber can be a great source of income. The popular ride-sharing service gathers more than 1 million drivers in 400 cities around the world, allowing anyone to join in.
There are some things you should know in order to maximize on your earning potential, and here we are presenting you with the top 10 tips gathered from a number of existing Uber drivers. Learn from their experiences before taking the plunge to become a driver yourself.
1. Be a Customer First (Before Becoming a Driver)
Shop before you buy, get to know the goods before deciding to sell it yourself. Get a feel for it. Look for the details what existing Uber drivers are doing and think it through. What you could do better, what you could copy? Don’t take just one ride, take a dozen and make sure to mix day and night, business days and weekends.
While testing the service, make sure to chat with drivers. If they are not new to Uber, they have probably learned a trick or two. You’ll want to know about their challenges, the most profitable time to drive, what’s the best thing about driving for Uber (being your own boss?), and so on.
2. Earn Extra Cash by Promoting Other Stuff While Driving
Uber drivers are all around the city and there are companies that try to reach people while they are out and about. CoPilot is a free platform that makes it as easy as possible to get started — it works with Uber drivers to showcase the latest tech products in their cars.
As part of the deal, drivers select a product package from one of CoPilot’s partnering brands, and receive training in key skills to maximize their in-car impact.
It is said that top CoPilot drivers can earn an extra $400 per week, though that depends on the market they drive in.
3. Check Your Insurance
While Uber has its own insurance protection, you’ll want to make sure your insurance provider will “sing along” a ride-hailing service. You must have yourself covered in case anything terrible happens.
And it’s not like you would ask your insurance provider for anything new. Quite the contrary, insurance companies like Geico and Aviva — to name a few — have developed specific insurance policies for ride-sharing services.
4. Document Everything
As an Uber driver you are actually operating a small business of your own, and are able to deduct your mileage and vehicle costs on your taxes. This in turn will reduce your taxable income, and at the end of the day – put more money in your pocket. Keep track of all expenses and mileage and you’ll thank us when the tax time comes. 😉
5. Make Sure To Have Some Snacks and Water Around
And you should have them with you at all times. Even if you don’t eat that much, you can offer them to riders who in turn could give you a 5-star rating. Yes it’s a form of nice bribery, but then again – do regular taxis offer such goodies?
Also, those snacks and water should help you get around the day.
6. Music Matters
Related to the previous point of pleasing the riders… Have a versatile selection of music at your disposal to please all kinds of people. Make some smooth jazz a default music in your car but be prepared to change the tune if a client demands so. This could ensure you a better ranking, thus increasing your chances of getting additional rides.
7. Don’t Drive Too Much
And don’t chase for business, it will only increase your costs. Get a book to read while waiting for the next ride. Or watch a movie on your phone or tablet. You don’t want to drive 15 miles for a fare, unless it’s a big one.
There is an exception to this rule though — if you are swarmed by other Uber drivers then take the plunge. Move around a bit to increase your chances of getting riders.
8. Try Avoiding Suburbs
This one relates to the previous point — you want to be in the neighborhoods with high traffic volumes (i.e. downtown). More often than not, suburbs are a pain and they won’t make you enough money. If you drop someone at a suburb, make sure to get back to an area with more traffic. Again, you want to drive as little as possible, while making more money along the way.
9. Know When to Drive
This is crucial. You don’t want to be out when there’s no people around. You will then be accepting low-cost rides, some of which could make you twice as much money in the rush hour.
And it’s not all about rush hour. Note the closing times of popular clubs and bars, and make sure to be around when people start leaving the place. Write it down if you have to. You don’t want to miss the surge times!
10. Enjoy the Experience
Arguably, the most important advice is to enjoy it all. You will be meeting new people, driving around the city you know (and hopefully love), and earn some money along the way. Yes, there will be challenges, but in any case – you should find a way to enjoy the experience. Your riders will take note of that, and reward you with high ratings. Good luck!
Ready for action?
