Are you curious as to what it’s like being an Uber driver? If yes, you should click here to learn all about what the job is like.
In 2017, there were 750,000 people driving for Uber.
Many of these people didn’t make this their full-time job, but a lot of people do actually make a living from it.
Are you curious as to what it’s like being an Uber driver? If yes, you should read on to learn all about what the job is like.
What is Uber?
First, you should know what Uber is and how it works.
If you haven’t heard of it, Uber was founded in 2009 and rapidly grew to the massive company it is today. The company uses GPS and apps on smartphones to pair passengers who need a ride with Uber drivers who are willing to take them places.
Similar to the way a taxi works, but now you can summon one through an app.
When requesting a ride, passengers can choose what type of car or experience they want. The nicer the experience, the more expensive the ride will be.
there is also an option for passengers to carpool with other passengers to save some money.
How it Works
If you are thinking about becoming an Uber driver, you will have to become very familiar with the ratings that are used.
The passengers and drivers can both rate each other on a scale from 1 to 5.
As a driver, if your rating falls below 4.2, you will have to have a meeting with Uber management. You could be in danger of being cut off from the company.
With the passengers, however, if their rating is below a 3, drivers can choose not to pick them up.
This rating system ensures that both the drivers and the passengers won’t have problems.
Is It Safe?
When we were younger, we were always taught not to get into stranger’s cars. Now, we can summon them to us.
However, Uber has put in a lot of safety regulations to ensure that both the driver and the passenger are protected.
If something does happen during a ride, it can be reported through the Uber app and the management team nearby will get an alert instantly. This helps make sure that the driver is behaving correctly and the passengers aren’t behaving erratically.
To help protect themselves even further, some Uber drivers will carry a can of mace in the car just to protect themselves in case something bad happens. You could also buy a dashcam to record everything that happens in the car. Read more about the best Uber dash cams on this article.
Requirements
If you’re still interested, to become an Uber driver you will first need to have a valid background check done through the police.
You will also have to own a newer four-door car.
In addition to that, you will also have to have an interview with your local Uber management team.
Customer Service
Being an Uber driver involves a lot of customer service. if you love this aspect, then being an Uber driver may be an option for you.
Going the extra mile may actually help you have a higher rating as well.
You could provide phone chargers for your passengers and even offer bottled water or snacks. At the end of the day, you want to make sure that your passengers have a great experience.
Working Hours
The hours you work as an Uber driver will mostly depend on you.
Uber lets you decide when you want to work, and you can make your own hours. However, there are prime hours.
To make the most money, you should work on the weekends and evenings. Many people take Ubers when they are too drunk to drive, so if you are near a place where people like to go out and drink, you could make a lot of money.
The flexibility with hours is one of the best pros of being an Uber driver. As long as you are dedicated and can make yourself stick to a schedule, you could end up making a decent amount of money.
The Costs
While you can make good money off being an Uber driver, you will also need to factor in some of the costs and expenses.
For example, you will have to pay for gas, insurance, and inspections for your car. Also driving all of these passengers around will rack up miles on your car, causing it to depreciate faster.
If you are going to make a full-time investment in this, you may want to think about investing in another car to Uber with. You may want to get a car that is bigger so that you can take more passengers with you. Getting a backup camera and some other safety features will also help you get more passengers.
How You Make Money
Lastly, you probably want to know how much money you can make as an Uber driver.
This ultimately depends on you. Each Uber driver is like their own independent contractor, so you are responsible for covering the costs of gas, insurance, and your car.
A certain percentage of each ride that you take will go to Uber, and then you will also be able to keep another percentage. All tips go directly to you as well.
However, if you work hard and dedicate time to the job, you can walk away with a decent amount of money each month. Some Uber drivers even make up to $6,000 a month from the job.
Some people also do it on the side to make just a little bit of extra money to help make ends meet.
The great thing about Uber is that you can make it work for you.
Learn More About Being an Uber Driver
Being an Uber driver can be a great job, and many people love doing it.
However, if you still don’t think to be an Uber driver would be right for you, there are all kinds of other jobs out there as well.
Make sure you check out our other blog posts to learn about other jobs you may be interested in as well!
