Advice for New Uber Drivers
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Or, take a little snooze behind the wheel to recharge after you pull over! Uber is always adding things to the app. Take Advantage of Surge Pricing and Prime Time When it Makes Sense Surge pricing Uber , or Prime Time Lyft , are times when the demand for rides goes up, and supply of drivers goes down, meaning that the rate charged for a ride increases.
Here are the strategies she recommends from her time on the job. He wants to move to Philly to go back to school and was looking for a job where he can still keep a full class load. The Penny Hoarder Promise: We provide accurate, reliable information.
Tips for new drivers - Does your Uber driver deserve a dollar or two or more for a job well done? Not getting enough sleep makes your job harder and less safe.
It has been a great experience and I wanted to create a list of tips for new drivers or anyone thinking about driving. I hope you enjoy it and find it helpful! Want to sign up right this second? Click on my referral link and get started! Know there is a learning curve. As with any new job or activity, it can take a little time to master all the basics. With Uber this will not take long as the app is very easy to use and riders using Uber are great. I suggest going out the first few times when it is a bit slow just to get your feet wet. If you have any issues, contact Uber — their support team is very helpful. Also, let your riders know you are new! Just be patient, within a few times of going out you will be a pro! On the Uber app you will see a map. The map shows you where you are. Any areas that are busy will be highlighted in orange or red. It can be challenging when you are on one side of the city and there is a big surge on the other side of the city! If you head toward that surging area as many drivers do , the surge price may go down or even disappear! It is very frustrating. I try, as often as possible, to stay where I am until I get a ride. On occasion I WILL head towards a busier area if the area I am in is slow. Chasing the surge can waste your time and your gas. No need to chase the surge during this surge extravaganza! There was surge pricing everywhere this morning! Sometimes only one area is red with a 1. As tempting as is is to rush to that area, I try to stay put, at least for a while! You and your car that is! That goes for my car as well. One of the best things about driving for Uber is that you are forced to keep your car clean! This is great especially for those of us with kids as the car can get painfully messy in an instant! I bring my car to the car wash at least once a week and then clean the inside as needed. Remember to keep your receipts for car cleaning as you may be able use it for tax purposes. And that brings me to the next tip… 4. Write-offs and taxes As an Uber driver, you will receive a 1099 tax form at the end of each year. Uber does NOT take taxes out of your pay each week. I highly recommend talking with a tax preparation specialist so that you can have as much information as possible. A tax professional will be able to guide you in this manner. Uber box In my car I keep an Uber box. Sounds a bit much? Maybe but riders LOVE the Uber box and are so very impressed with it. I drive a 2010 Honda CRV so there is plenty of room for it. Can you have some waters available? Some mints or gum? A box of tissues? I have tissues in my glove box. I found I was moving the box often so I now do this instead. Especially now with Uber pool, more people are getting in and out of your car so the box can sometimes get in the way. Be sure to get out and stretch whenever you can. Google or YouTube some yoga sequences for hips or special stretches for anyone who sits a lot. Your body and therefore bank account will thank you for it! Get out of the car, move around, get some fresh air, go sit somewhere outside of the car to eat. Whatever you do will give you some energy and move energy that gets stuck from sitting so long around! So try to take a break every few hours if you can. A gorgeous view like this makes it easy to take a little break! I now know the best places to go to the bathroom in and around Boston! This will take some time to figure out but within a few weeks you will know where to go. Where can you go without having to buy something? Gas stations, grocery stores, shopping malls and some coffee shops are the best to use. Take a mental note as you are driving around so you can know at any moment what is your best bet for a quick bathroom break! Your rider is your biggest priority Once you accept a ride and certainly once your rider is in your car, they are your priority. Not often, but sometimes, it can be difficult to find where your rider is you can always call or text them, of course , sometimes you are driving your rider two places occasionally riders will pick up a friend or drop someone off or even stop for an errand but know you keep making money during this time! It feels great to give good service and the riders really appreciate it. Sometimes you even transport a pooch! It feels as though Uber really wants the drivers to have a great experience and want to support them in any way they can. So again, do not hesitate to contact Uber with anything you need. There are lots of Uber perks. Once you start driving on a regular basis, you will begin to be eligible for rewards such as discounts on oil changes and car washes and even a driver fuel card. This is mine if you are considering signing up:. Take care of your car We are very lucky to have a great mechanic in our neighborhood. As my mileage has increased, my need for oil changes has gone up. I know every time I bring it to him, he checks out everything, making sure I am good to go. Respect yourself It can get exhausting driving long hours every day. Respect yourself by planning to take time off every week and getting the rest you need. So not only during your shift but during your week take breaks and days off. What is so great about driving for Uber is that you can turn on or off the app ANYTIME. So there is no need to push it. Your safety, your riders safety and the safety of others out there is of the utmost importance. You can make up for it another time. Respect your body, mind and soul and take the time you need. Honestly, this job is FUN!! I am meeting such great people. I am so grateful for the flexibility and that I can make money so easily for our family. What could be better? Life is too short not to! Do you have any questions? Please feel free to ask below! Want to start driving? There is no obligation to continue if you ever decide it is not working out or you find another opportunity. Just go out once a week. Go out every Friday night. Head out while the kids are in school. Use it as a part time or full time job. Imagine what a few hundred dollars a week or a month or even much more! Save it, pay off some bills, pay down some loans, invest it or do whatever you need to do with it. It sure has been a life-saver for us! If you found this list useful and want to sign up, here is my referral link. Thank you for reading and if you have any questions ask below or check out my page which has even lot more info. Best and happy and safe driving! I try not to drive around as it wastes gas but occasionally if it is slow where I am, I will head to a busy area indicated on the app as an orange or red area or an area. Uber is running an incentive program right now so the hours That drivers are driving for the incentive tend to be slower.
To use the standard mileage deduction, drivers will need to keep track of the miles driven for the entire year. Uber Forum is dedicated to both drivers and riders to share insights and have fun. So there is no need to push it. Please join us and become a member today, it's free and easy. Avoid driving around while you are waiting for a ride request. Tipping is simply a gesture of appreciation for a job well done. You dont want to be wasting time and petrol returning lost property. You might as well be good at it. Learn how to use the destination, and last ride settings. Check out your app to see how you can qualify. If you drop someone off in the suburbs, make sure to get back to an area with more traffic. Cars are not created equal.
