Becoming an Uber taxi driver is becoming a viable and lucrative career for an increasingly large number of people. The company now offers numerous opportunities for budding drivers, looking to make a better living.
But what do you need to do specifically to get a career as an Uber driver off to a flying start? Here’s everything you need to know:
Work On The Basics
The first step is to ensure you have all the basics in order. Making sure you meet these makes your life much easier.
Bring together all your essential documents first, including your vehicle registration and driving license paperwork. It also helps if you can provide Uber with evidence of your driving history and any motor vehicle collisions you’ve been involved with.,
Also, check your vehicle fits in the desired category. Uber has various classes, including UberX and UberXL. Ensure the vehicle is eligible and in a reasonable condition. The rideshare app has various quality requirements you must reach, similar to Airbnb and other sharing apps.
Understand The Platform
Next, you’ll want to check you understand how the Uber platform works. A deeper knowledge will allow you to figure out how the outfit makes money and what it does.
Furthermore, it can also help you on the job. For example, you could investigate driver-specific features and navigation tools. These make it easier to get around and pick up passengers. You could also look into the earnings dashboard, telling you how much money you’ve made so far, and what your earnings are for the week, month or year.
Depending on your city, you may also have to comply with additional regulations. Many local authorities are trying to protect their conventional taxi services against better options from rideshare apps by limiting the supply. This factor may determine whether you can be a driver or not.
Aim For Higher Ratings
Ideally, you want to aim for the highest ratings from the start so more customers get lifts from you. Working on the inside of your vehicle is, therefore, essential.
For example, your top priority is to ensure that the cabin smells good. You want to avoid certain odors, particularly stale air, and flatulence.
If you operate in a polluted city, it also helps to put advanced filters in place for the air conditioning system. These reduce particles getting into the cabin, protecting users from smog and other nasties.
It can also help to put a car tablet holder on the back seat. This way, you can provide riders with entertainment on demand, similar to an airline.
Other ways to increase ratings include:
- Greeting customers in a polite and friendly way
- Sending them a courtesy message if there is going to be a delay in picking them up
- Telling them about any traffic en route that might delay them from reaching their destination on time
- Offering conspicuous safety systems to keep passengers secure
- Sticking to speed limits and driving smoothly
Figure Out How To Grow Your Earnings
At the same time, you also want to figure out strategies to maximize your earnings. Following simple tactics can be an excellent way to grow the amount of money you make.
For example, driving close to high-demand locations is always a good tactic. These regions often have a large population of professionals who need to get to destinations across your city fast.
You can also do the same for rush hour and special events, like weddings. Surge pricing allows you to charge more and win customers with the greatest need to travel.
Using Uber’s incentives and promotions can also help. Keeping an eye on these allows you to adjust your pricing without affecting your profits.
Finally, keep your car in good condition. Optimizing fuel usage and taking it for regular servicing can reduce overall vehicle usage and maintenance costs significantly. If you can fill up the tank when fuel prices are low, that’s even better.
Keep Up To Date
Lastly, when you do start driving, ensure you remain up to date with Uber’s policies and look for ways to improve. Sometimes the company will change how it operates, forcing you to adapt your style or change how you process passengers.
Of particular importance are changes in payment structures. These dictate how much of the profit you keep, and how much you need to pass over to the company. If these numbers rise, then it is sometimes worth seeking alternative rideshare opportunities with different brands.
Always take time to gather feedback and adapt. Work out what your customers like and make improvements.
Growing Forward 