So every now and then, we like to cover opportunities for you to make an income. Sites like Fiverr and survey sites are great, but if you’re looking for something a little more lucrative, driving for Uber may be a good option for you.
SIGN UP HERE
What is Uber?
Uber is like a taxi service for the 21st century. It all begins with a mobile app. Uber drivers register with the site (we’ll go into that a little more later) and set their status to “working” when they’re ready to start.
People who need a ride will then access the app, find a driver, and call that driver. Payments are made through the app, so no money ever changes hands. Uber is a convenient way to earn an extra income, especially if you’re not scared to drive around in the bigger cities.
Uber has a few competitors – Lyft is one – but it’s a pretty solid company and has maintained a fairly good reputation. If you’re looking for a job which doesn’t require interviews and lengthy applications, you should think about signing up as an Uber driver.
How to drive for Uber
There are three things you absolutely must have in order to work for Uber. The first is a clean driving record. No one wants to be in the back seat with a driver who’s wrecked 58 times since last January. If you’ve got a good driving record, you’re off to a good start.
Second, you’ll have to have a model year 2004 or newer vehicle. I know, I know. Your ’78 Corvette runs just fine. We’re just telling you the rules. Your car’s got to be fairly new in order to list it as an Uber vehicle.
Thirdly, you’re going to have to be at least 18 years old. Apologies to you if you’ve just gotten your drivers license and are excited. You’ve got to be a legal adult in order to drive for Uber.
Once you’re sure you meet all the requirements, the rest is easy. Go to the Uber website and sign up, and make sure you download the app to your phone. Uber’s going to ask you for a few things – they’ll need your registration and insurance information as well as your driver license number. But once all is verified, you’re ready to roll!
How much does Uber pay?
This is kind of a tricky question, because there are so many factors involved. First, you’re going to need to factor in your expenses. You might have tolls to pay or a lease fee. You’re going to need current (good) insurance. And you may not live in a busy area, so you may not pick up as many passengers as other drivers.
Overall, though, a survey of people who drive for Uber in the New York City area showed that drivers made, on average, a little over $20 per hour. That’s not bad when all you’re doing is driving a car. Think about it – if you were to take one Friday night and make your car available to college kids downtown, you could easily score a couple hundred bucks.
When you drive for Uber, you won’t become a millionaire. But it’s a great way to earn an extra income. Some people even make a living driving for the service full time.
Uber: A word of caution
Because we like you, we want to tell you just a few more things about Uber. Generally speaking, the service is safe. There have been very few instances of Uber passengers starting any trouble. A friend of mine is an Uber driver full time, and the most obnoxious thing he encountered was a passenger leaving a hot dog under his car’s seat.
But that’s not to say that you shouldn’t take precautions. Always tell a friend where you are, and always have your cell phone handy. You might consider a dash cam, too. It’s not unusual to pick up passengers who are intoxicated, and you want to be able to protect yourself and your reputation.
Overall, though, driving Uber is a fun way to make an extra income. You’ll meet a lot of cool people, and you’ll never have the same experience twice. Interested? Head on over to the Uber website and register to drive. You’ll be making money with your car in no time!
Leave a Reply