r/uberdrivers • u/JazzlikeManagement25 • 2h ago
r/uberdrivers • u/Fugazzzii • Jun 17 '24
Welcome to r/uberdrivers - FAQ and Community Guide
Before asking a question, make sure to read this guide and use reddit search to see if your question was already asked. If you have anything you'd recommend to add to this guide leave a comment below.
What does Pax mean? Common terms on this sub explained
Pax: Short for Passenger.
Ping: The noise the app makes when drivers receive a pickup request.
Fare: The fee a rider is charged.
Fair: Fare, spelled wrong.
Surge: Uber occasionally up-charges riders during times of increased demand. The Surge is a multiplier of the base fare rate.
SRF: "Safe Rider Fee", now known as the "Booking Fee". This is the $1-3 fee that Uber adds to every fare to ccover insurance, app fees, etc.
What are the requirements to be an uber driver?
An in-state license is required. Have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the US (3 years if you are under 25 years old) Use an eligible 4-door vehicle
All vehicles being used for rides on the Uber app must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Must have 4 doors and be able to transport a minimum of 4 passengers
- Vehicle model must be 16years old or newer
- Title cannot be salvaged, reconstructed, or rebuilt
- Rental vehicles, except those from an approved Uber rental car partner are not permitted
- Cannot have any cosmetic damage, missing pieces, or commercial branding
Should you choose to drive a vehicle you do not personally own, you must have permission from then vehicle owner and be listed as an insured driver on the vehicle’s insurance policy. Please note that Uber cannot allow a vehicle onto the platform if the driver’s name is not on the insurance document.
If your vehicle does not match the requirements above, you may still be able to use your vehicle for deliveries on the Uber app.
Is this fulltime job?
Driving with Uber offers a flexible earning opportunity. It's a great alternative to full-time driver jobs, part-time driver jobs, or other part-time gigs, temp jobs, or seasonal employment.
How do I do my first ride?
Download and install the driver app, and hit "Go Online". Once you get a request (a "ping"), you can hit 'Navigate' to be taken to the rider's pickup location. When you're sure you have arrived, flip back over to the Uber app and hit 'Arrived'. The passenger (PAX) will be notified of your arrival, though it's also nice to text them - to let them know what type of car you're in (though they see this on their app, not everyone looks) and to confirm that they're actually where their pin was placed. When they get in the car, hit 'Begin Trip'. If they haven't entered their destination, you can enter it - then hit 'Navigate' again and you will be routed there. At the end of the trip, hit 'End Trip', rate your passenger, and you'll be placed back online ready to pick up another PAX!
What are the safety features for uber drivers?
Emergency assistance button
You can use the in-app Emergency Button to call authorities to get help if you need it. The app displays your location and trip details, so you can quickly share them with emergency services.
24/7 incident support
Uber customer associates trained in incident response are available around the clock.
Follow My Ride
Friends and family can follow your route and will know as soon as you arrive.
2-way ratings
Your feedback matters. Low-rated trips are logged, and users may be removed to protect the Uber community.
Phone anonymization
If you need to contact your rider through the app, your phone number may stay private.
GPS tracking
All Uber trips are tracked from start to finish, so there’s a record of your trip if something happens.
RideCheck
Using sensors and GPS data, RideCheck can help detect if a trip goes unusually off-course or a possible crash has occurred. If the app alerts us to such events, we’ll check in on you and offer resources to get help.
Contact Safety Agent
You can connect with an ADT Safety Agent via phone call or text on every trip. Just tap the safety shield icon and select Contact safety agent.
Audio Recording
If you feel uncomfortable, you can record the audio of the trip within the app. Just tap the blue shield to open your Safety Toolkit and access the Record Audio option.
Emergency help if you need it
If you ever need urgent help when riding with the Uber app, you can contact 911 using the in-app Emergency Button in the Safety Toolkit.
The app will show your live location, vehicle information, and license plate number, which you can quickly share with the emergency dispatcher so they can send help faster. And in a growing number of US cities, this information is automatically provided to the dispatcher.
Does Uber help in event of an accident?
When you earn with a transportation network company (TNC), referred to here as ridesharing, many states require extra—and costly—insurance.
Uber maintains this insurance on your behalf. What’s covered depends on factors such as who was at fault; whether you were offline, online, en route, or on-trip; and your personal insurance policy.
Offline coverage:
Your personal auto insurance covers you while you’re offline. You must maintain personal automobile insurance at mandatory minimum limits and provide proof of your insurance to drive and deliver with a vehicle with Uber.
Coverage to repair your car when you’re en route to or on a trip is contingent on your personal insurance including comprehensive and collision coverage.
Coverage when online and available for a trip
Accidents happen. Suppose you’re at fault and another person gets hurt or their vehicle gets damaged. In that case, our third-party liability insurance covers the cost of injuries or damage in at least the following amounts:
-$50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for injuries
-$25,000 in property damage per accident
Depending on the law of your state, Uber may maintain extra coverage for you and your riders, including one or more of the following:
Coverage for you and your riders for injuries in a hit-and-run or an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver
Personal injury protection, including medical expenses and lost wages for you and your riders, no matter who’s at fault
Medical payments coverage for you and your riders, no matter who’s at fault.
Coverage when en route or on a trip
Uber maintains some of the most comprehensive insurance for ridesharing and deliveries, including:
-Insurance that covers at least $1,000,000 for property damage and injuries to riders and third parties involved in an accident where you’re at fault
Insurance that covers the cost to repair your car, up to the actual cash value, with a $2,500 deductible, contingent on your personal insurance including comprehensive and collision coverage. This extra insurance maintained by Uber protects your car, no matter who’s at fault, if you maintain comprehensive and collision coverage on your own vehicle.
In most US states, you can also purchase Optional Injury Protection to cover your additional medical expenses if you’re hurt in an accident. This insurance offering, pioneered by Uber, is designed specifically for drivers.
Depending on the law of your state, Uber may maintain extra coverage for you and your riders, including one or more of the following:
-Coverage for you and your riders for injuries in a hit-and-run or an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver
Personal injury protection, including medical expenses and lost wages for you and your riders, no matter who’s at fault
Medical payments coverage for you and your riders, no matter who’s at fault
Is being an uber driver worth it?
Recent reports from Uber state that "the vast majority of drivers are satisfied" and that "as of last quarter, drivers in the US were making about $33 per utilized hour" before expenses.
Its for you to decide if its worth it for you personally, volume and earnings will vary greatly between markets. Drivers as independant contractors are also responsible for all expenses which have been rising fast when drivers pay has stayed stagnant.
There are many direct and hidden costs associated with being an uber driver. To start with, You are responsible for tracking your own miles, profits and losses, as well as expenses such as gas, repairs, washes, and so on.
In addition, no one but you is responsible for ensuring you are earning enough. You need to be aware at what rate you are making enough for it to be worth it.
r/uberdrivers • u/Prevalencee • 6h ago
Gave my number for private rides since he was a rich businessman who goes to the airport often…
Well that didn’t go as planned…
r/uberdrivers • u/somalipyrate • 11h ago
Just read this new report of how uber picks and chooses driver's who will accept anything so they get more money
r/uberdrivers • u/No-Fun-1883 • 3h ago
It told me to drive straight into the lake at 55mph
was dark as hell outside too T_T didn't notice the road just turns into a boat ramp til I saw it on the GPS. why is someone even allowed to put that as their pickup
r/uberdrivers • u/Hungry-Town-7847 • 19h ago
Umm, no
So I lose money and take a cancel hit? No thanks
r/uberdrivers • u/DifferentExercise930 • 15h ago
NEW Daily record on UberX 🤑
Between bonuses, promotions, an event and tips, I made around $450 (few cash tips) on Wednesday working just 5 hours!! Purely UberX and it was a new record for me considering how short of a time I worked but what's the most you guys have made in a shift??
r/uberdrivers • u/Hungry-Town-7847 • 4h ago
Don’t play with your phone while driving they say…
But also, click these 5 ultra fast terrible offers, let your rider know there’s a delay, tell us if there’s construction/traffic/speed enforcement ahead. And just when you’re checking for a crucial turn, here’s the worst offer ever that you’ll accidentally accept and then agonize over whether it’s better to take the cancellation hit or just do the terrible ride
r/uberdrivers • u/Adventurous-Ad9401 • 9h ago
Uber Ordered To PAY 40 Million
Haha!
r/uberdrivers • u/RennaisanceWizzard • 3h ago
I knew I should not have taken the ride.
I was at the airport. I usually only do premier to weed out the rift raft but I had uber x on. I was at 4.99 with all 5 stars except for 1-1, 1-3,1-4. A ride came up for downtown but not to a hotel. Rider rating was low 4s. I accepted anyways. Rider immediately told me to move the seat up and the. After we were leaving uber pickup are told me they were adding a stop which I said no. They gave me a speak about that’s why they chose uber. I should have at this point returned to the pickup area and ended the ride due to rudeness. I ended up taking them to their stop and home and they “promised they would take care of me. They sure did with a 3 star, not polite, ignoring request, and a $3 tip. Needless to say they got a 1 star and never seeing them again.
You get trash when you haul trash.
r/uberdrivers • u/Due-Outcome-5997 • 1d ago
Dropped off pax into a police sting
Right after my passenger stepped out four cops sprawled out of a car and took the dude down. Couple more police vehicles pulled in after, dude I drove was definitely a tweaker but polite during the ride. 5 stars for wanted level. Cops told me if I "saw" them use force i should give a statement, he was glad when I told him I must of been looking away at that moment😄 🤣
EDIT: I see alot of folks are concerned if I witnessed police brutality. I definitely did not, the methed out passenger made a move to evade and was taken to ground. The original pickup spot was 2 blocks from my house and I didnt not see it necessary for my name to be linked to whatever case they have on him for my own safety. 15 years ago camping at the beach we were attempted robbed by 3 street gang members and put 2 of them in the hospital, 1 in critical ICU by defending ourselves. Our names got leaked to the attackers and we spent months worrying about retribution. Yes I have been arrested with unnecessary force before and magically the tape went missing, no it was not fun.
I fully advocate reporting of ANY police brutality, harassment, wrongful driving, etc. Again, there was nothing extreme about the manner in which he was taken down during apprehension.
r/uberdrivers • u/WarningDazzling3763 • 13h ago
Look at this absolute lab rat grinning like she just won the lottery because Uber’s paying her enough to buy half a hash brown every hour.
Uber really sent this message to my inbox like they think we are happy to wait for $0.19 per minute. The lady in the image seems happy that she's burning her time and gas for half a hash brown. That smile has got to be fake. Enjoy your fake breakfast.
Gaslighting at its finest.
Decline Multiple Stops
Decline Waiting The Full Timer
Did anyone else get this bullshit?
r/uberdrivers • u/ZealousidealLab2920 • 12h ago
PSA for Ride-Share Drivers as Robotaxis Eat Jobs
Hello friends, I'm sure many of ya'll have concerns about Robotaxis like Waymo and Tesla taking your job. This is a real, and valid concern. No one wants to be jobless. It's not a question of if, but when self-driving vehicles take your job. They already deployed in over 15 U.S. cities and hundreds globally.
It's not a time to panic or protest.
With new technology comes new jobs and new opportunities as well.
Experts predict it will be 5-10+ years until most ride-sharing jobs are gone.
Many in early markets are already feeling the squeeze.
There is time to prepare for the future.
I put together some related and high demand jobs that you can start looking at or applying for.
Everyone has their own background and interests to consider, but perhaps pass this along or at least start thinking about options.
I just post this because I wish someone would have given me a heads up in my career and helped give me some advice before it was too late.
Best of luck to all of us humans! ❤️
| Career Option | Estimated Entry Training Time | Upfront Cost | Pay / Career Trajectory |
|---|---|---|---|
| AV Fleet & Safety Driver | 1–4 Weeks | None (Employer paid) | Moderate |
| NEMT / Medical Logistics | 1–2 Weeks | Low / Employer paid | Moderate |
| Commercial Driver (CDL) | 3–8 Weeks | Low to Moderate (Company-sponsored options available) | Moderate to High |
| HVAC Technician | 6–12 Months | Moderate (Trade school or paid apprenticeship) | High |
| Electrician | 4–5 Years (Earn while you learn) | Very Low (Paid apprenticeship model) | Very High |
r/uberdrivers • u/Sea_Mix592 • 15h ago
$100 tip
1st ride of the morning I received $100 tip. I definitely appreciate it.
r/uberdrivers • u/Rand_Casimiro • 3h ago
In my market this is the time of year when a smart driver can maintain efficiency even over full-time hours.
Boosts throughout the week, and some late night surges. I try to remind myself that once we near the holidays things will get worse, though.
r/uberdrivers • u/MortgageSwimming1983 • 8h ago
'I'm Not Getting Out': Uber Passenger Challenges Driver After Refusing To Confirm Her Name Before Ride
r/uberdrivers • u/WildPomegranate9240 • 34m ago
U really expect me to wait 🤣
YOU really expect me to wait 20 mins for $8 fare, get bent FUBER
r/uberdrivers • u/AppropriateBig760 • 1d ago
Drove Ron Howard and his wife on Christmas Eve, no tip.
So Christmas Eve I get a ride request for a 2 mile ride from a restaurant to a residence.
A couple walks up to my car, with a group of 6 getting into a van in front of me.
Couple gets in, man sits behind me wife next to him.
The wife says "I've always wanted to say this, follow that car!"
Got a little laugh out of me.
Come to find out it was their kids and grandkids in the car in front of us.
Couple starts asking me if I've ever driven anyone famous.
Which I reply yeah I've driven roni turiaf from the lakers and comedian Josh blue.
They start asking me what they were like, blah blah blah.
We get to the residence...and the man says
"Well you can add one more to your list"
To which I said "oh yeah who's that" and he says "Ron Howard, pleasure to meet you"
Then I recognized it was actually him.
After the ride looked up his wife's name, because that's who requested the ride, sure enough it matched.
Then hours and days went by, no tip.
Just oddly weird to make it be known I know who you are, you coulda been Joe Schmo and not tipped and wouldn't have cared. But damn Opi...
r/uberdrivers • u/adonis_minus_20 • 11h ago
Drivers quitting in Philly obviously lol
They're desperate for new drivers, but still pushing shit offers lmao and with gas as high as it is, I wouldn't refer my worst enemy to drive for these greedy assclowns 🤡
r/uberdrivers • u/UnderpaidUberDriver • 11h ago
SMDH
Hunger pains ain’t worth much nowadays 🤦🏾♂️
r/uberdrivers • u/shaunanakin • 1h ago
New driver!
Hi everyone. I just recently started driving in the weekends. Tips kinda suck, but it seems thats where the money is. Anyone have tips or tricks for a newbie?
r/uberdrivers • u/siddharthnibjiya • 1h ago
Uber drivers in SF who drive Tesla
Hello everyone, I'm posting on behalf of a friend who is in marketing in a tech company.
For a marketing campaign, he is looking to recruit 5-10 Uber/Lyft drivers who drive tesla in San Francisco, California.
They will require to carry the company's branding (who's cost will be covered by the company).
The pay will be reasonable (~$500/month) for very little time/effort and no cost on their end.
If you are one such person or know someone, can you please send them this post and ask them to drop a comment here?
I or my friend will reach out.
This is a genuine opportunity and not messing around, and before any kind of transactions, verification will happen in person in San Francisco city.
Thank you and appreciate it.
r/uberdrivers • u/WarningDazzling3763 • 17h ago
Accepted a 4.77 guest ride and accidentally smuggled The Penguin out of the Gotham sewers.
I got a trip that was about thirty minutes in length. I arrive, she opens the door and yells "Uber!?". I said yup, she got in, and the trip started.
3 minutes in, I started to pick up a smell. I can't describe it. Pretty sure I had the Penguin himself sitting in my backseat.
I immediately shut the circulation off on the AC to prevent spreading the disease. I then continue to roll my window down halfway. That didn't work, so I cracked all the windows except hers. It was pure torture. I was legitimately wondering if Batman himself could survive this level of biological warfare.
I was praying for the Bat-Signal to save me as I kept staring at the GPS. The second she got out, I went to town with my odor eliminator and seat cleaner sprays.
Do you sit with the smell or make it obvious rolling the windows down?
r/uberdrivers • u/ImAFckngBtchToo • 13h ago
Anyone wanna guess how much of a cash tip I received?
r/uberdrivers • u/Speaker_2Animals • 15h ago
Strange experience last night as a rider that prompts the question: are drivers allowed to deviate from the Uber-provided route?
Hello Uber drivers,
I had a strange ride last night that made me want to ask you the question: are you allowed to deviate from the Uber in-app route? For example use Google maps or waze, etc, if it suggests a different route from Uber?
I took a long ride last night up a fairly secluded mountain road to a friends house. We encountered a dead end at a private gate that would normally require you to turn around and drive 10 minutes around in order to get to our destination. The Uber app suggested driving through the locked gate, and Google maps suggested driving the 10 minutes around. I explained this to the driver, and asked him to turn around and take the Google maps route so that we could proceed. Instead, he got very nervous and visibly irritated and said that if he deviates from the Uber navigation even slightly, his account would be banned. I asked what he wanted to do then and he contacted Uber driver support. He was on hold with them for a while (in the app), transferred departments, and ultimately never got a response. He got increasingly frustrated so I started getting weirded out and just cancelled the ride and got out of his car. It all worked out in the end and I was able to get another ride.
So: was he telling the truth? Would Uber actually ban you for following their (faulty) directions in this instance? Or was something else going on?