For many experienced gig workers, Uber is part of the Trifecta. There are three lucrative gigs many well seasons drivers do – Uber (passengers), Instacart, and DoorDash. Uber is an easy way for anyone with four wheels to earn cash. The earnings might suck at times but that’s when you check the other apps for a better offer.
Most areas of the U.S. now have what Uber calls Upfront Pricing. You’ll be able to see all of the trip details (except the tip) including the pickup and dropoff locations, as well as the miles and estimated time to dropoff. Until a few years ago, Uber trips left you entirely in the dark. You didn’t know where you were dropping off or how long the trip would be.
With one notable exception, Uber is the best gig for elderly and handicapped persons. You don’t normally even need to get out of your car. You pick up and drop off. Wash, rinse, and repeat. The sole exception is when you have a passenger who thinks it’s your job to lift their luggage into your vehicle. Uber drivers are not taxi cab drivers. We aren’t required to lift luggage. At that point it’s your call. If you refuse, the customer might cancel the trip. If the passenger loads his own luggage, you can kiss the tip goodbye.
One of the main concerns for Uber drivers is safety. If you live in an extremely dangerous area, you might think twice about picking up a stranger. Even worse, having to drive that passenger into an area you know has a high crime rate. You can always cancel the trip. If your area has Upfront Pricing, be sure to check the dropoff address to avoid having to cancel the trip after the passenger gets in.
Uber has its own navigation. It’s their recommended navigation system. If you use Uber’s navigation, keep an eye open for glitches. If the passenger allowed Uber to use their location, you’ll see a pin, which is where the passenger currently is. Sometimes Uber will want you to pick up at the front of a building when the pin shows that the passenger is in the back. Uber’s navigation has many glitches and oddities. Uber wanted one driver to stop in the middle of an interstate to pick up a passenger who was in a parking lot accessed from a side road off the next exit. The passenger’s pin made it look like he was on the side of the interstate. Uber wanted another driver to pick up a passenger in the middle of a bridge when the person was in an apartment building located under the bridge. Know your area and know when to say “Uber’s navigation is wrong.”
HOW DO YOU BECOME AN UBER DRIVER?
You can sign up to become an Uber driver on their website at Uber.com/drive.
You can also download the Uber app directly from the App Store or Google Play and sign up directly in the app.
Once you’ve completed the application process you’ll have to wait for your background check. Uber and most other gig platforms use a third-party service called Checker to run the background checks. If you want to check on the progress of your background check, you can visit their website at Candidate.Checkr.com.
HOW MUCH CAN YOU EARN AS AN UBER DRIVER?
Uber earnings vary greatly from city to city. In some cities drivers claim they’re lucky to make $8 an hour. In other cities drivers claim they’re averaging $50 an hour. The estimated national average earnings for Uber drivers is $20-$23 an hour. The best way to estimate earnings is to sign up and give it a try.
Once you’re an active Uber driver, the app “should” send you regular notifications of the average earnings in your area. It doesn’t help you decide ahead of time if it’s worth doing Uber in your area but it serves as a benchmark. If you earn $18 an hour in your first week and the notification states that the average driver earnings were $25, you can reassess your strategy and maybe start declining some of the lower paying trips.
