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How to Become an Uber Driver?

Uber is a popular ride referral service where smartphone users can request a ride from a lot of dedicated drivers. Uber has over 40 million active monthly riders. It is a genuine alternative to traditional taxi services.

Uber’s riders request more than 5 million rides each day worldwide. They are being attended to by over 160,000 Uber drivers in over 300 cities in the United States.

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Also, there are over a million more Uber drivers in 75 other countries. There is such a high demand for rides that fifty thousand new drivers sign up with Uber every month to meet this increasing demand.

Uber driving is a very lucrative business. You only have to utilize your car to make money as a personal driver.

Requirements for being an Uber driver

To be an Uber driver, you must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age.
  • Pass a compulsory background check l 
  • If you are over 23, you must have at least one year of driving experience, and three years of driving experience if you are below 23.
  • Have an eligible 4-door vehicle.
  • Have the following; a valid U.S. driver’s license, proof of vehicle registration, and insurance for the vehicle you intend to use.
  • Have car insurance in your name in the state you reside
  • Have an in-state car registration, and it doesn’t have to be in your signature though
  • Have a clean driving record. There have to be no D.U.I. or drug-related offences, fatal car accidents, history of reckless driving in your name.
  • Have no criminal history

Note that the requirements vary by cities, and there may be additional onboarding requirements in yours. Do well to make inquiries.

If you just moved to a new state, you have to submit extra information for your driving history to be verified. Make sure to have your old state’s driver’s license and insurance on hand.

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Steps to Follow to Become an Uber Driver

 There are several steps you need to take to become an Uber driver:

Decide If You Have the Complete Requirements to Drive with Uber

Before starting your career as an Uber driver, ensure that you and your vehicle meet various needs. Most especially if you are planning to get a new car to become an Uber driver; Ensure that your car meets every requirement for the type of Uber service you plan to provide.

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Decide the Kind of Uber Service You Wish to Provide

There are different types of Uber services. From necessary transportation to very luxurious rides in top-of-the-line vehicles, it all depends on the consumer’s choice.

Here are five common types of Uber services; all are based on a particular vehicle style: 

  • UberX
  • UberXL
  • UberSELECT 
  • UberBLACK
  • UberSUV 

Decide the kind of service you wish to provide and get yourself a car that meets the type of Uber service you want to offer. 

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Decide Your Working Hours

You can work during the rush hours, weekends, or evenings. It all depends on your preference. There is a term commonly used among Uber drivers, and it’s called “peak hours.”

Peak hours are when the highest number of riders are ordering rides with their Uber’s apps. A lot of Uber drivers ensure that they work a certain amount of peak hours in their city.

Here is an example of peak hours:

  • Morning rush hours: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Monday to Friday
  • Evening rush hours: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday to Friday
  • Friday evening: 8 p.m. Friday – 3 a.m. Saturday
  • Saturday evening: 8 p.m. Saturday – 3 a.m. Sunday

Note that riding during peak hours is highly advantageous to Uber drivers because the higher demand for rides, the higher the average price per spin.

Download the App

When you are sure of the above steps, proceed to download the app. Follow registration instructions, and voila! You are ready to start receiving ride requests. 

How Much Will You Make as an Uber Driver?

Usually, most drivers make around $10-20 per hour minus expenses such as gas and car maintenance. Also, Uber sometimes offers cash bonuses when you apply to become a driver. You have plenty of opportunities to earn big as an Uber driver.

However, you cannot expect to start making millions immediately you open the app. You have to be willing to do extra, explore new places, new times, and basically, do extraordinary things that other drives aren’t doing ye.

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You can also increase your income by driving a cost-efficient car. You can boost your earnings and save up to $200 every month, driving on gas. Working during peak hours is another way to make more money.  

How Do You Pay Taxes as an Uber Driver?

As an Uber driver, you are automatically an independent contractor. You will receive a 1099-form, at the end of every year, and there is a certain percentage of your earnings that you will have to set aside to pay taxes.

Also, you can write off job-related expenses, including miles, gas, and so on. Therefore, make sure you have a detailed log of your miles and expenses. Make inquiries from a certified public accountant (C.P.A.) to get a clearer idea of what you can write off when you file.

What Costs Does Uber Cover?

You are an independent contractor; hence you are expected to cover all of your costs, for gas, car repair, maintenance, and any other car-related expenses.

On the other hand, Uber is responsible for cleaning costs if, by chance, something waa spilt in your car, or it got stained in any way by a rider. This, among other things, is why you should invest in a dashboard camera, as a protective measure against abusive passengers and incidents.

Tips to Become a Successful Uber Driver

Now that you have decided to start your career as a Uber driver, you have to aspire to be more than ordinary. You have to aim for success. Here are to be successful at Uber driving;

  • Be very careful with your earnings and expenses.
  • Create a positive reputation for yourself.
  • Always update yourself on the latest news in your profession.
  • Don’t be opposed to new payment options, such as guaranteed pay.

Concluding Note 

Uber is an excellent platform for anyone who wants to be a driver. It is very flexible; you get to decide your working hours. It can easily be a part-time or full-time business. Even as a student, you can make extra cash driving for Uber

Amit Kumar

FreeEducator.com blog is managed by Amit Kumar. He and his team come from the Oxford, Stanford and Harvard. At FreeEducator, we strive to create the best admission platform so that international students can go to the best universities - regardless of financial circumstances. By applying with us, international students get unlimited support and unbiased advice to secure the best college offers overseas.

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