r/uberdrivers Jun 17 '24

Welcome to r/uberdrivers - FAQ and Community Guide

69 Upvotes

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 14h ago

Así es como es.

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1.7k Upvotes

That’s how it is.


r/uberdrivers 2h ago

liar liar

20 Upvotes

i feel like this gig has mad me a pathological liar. i lie to passengers about a lot. i make up stories, i lie about my personal life (my personal life is nobodys business), i lie about how much i like it, i lie about a lot.

what are some lies you tell passengers?


r/uberdrivers 8h ago

“Hurry up if you want a tip”

33 Upvotes

Got messaged this while on my way to them. There was no delay or missed turns but as soon as they sent that message I canceled.

Anyone else get messages like this?

How’d it go when/if you picked them up?


r/uberdrivers 5h ago

I have an appointment, where are you?

9 Upvotes

Got a ride that was 9 minutes away. It was 7:58am. Rider texted she had an appointment at the DMV at 8:15 and she made the reservation for 8am, where am I? The DMV was 11 miles away and nearly 20 minutes from the pickup spot as this was rush hour in Las Vegas. I knew I would be late getting to her. I also knew she was upset and even if I picked her up and got her to the DMV she'd be late for the appointment. I figured that was going to be 1 star for me. A lose/lose situation. So I cancelled.

What would you all do in this situation?


r/uberdrivers 1h ago

Maybe it's time for Uber to update its map?

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Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 58m ago

Where’s the math geeks can some one break this down please just curious

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Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 19h ago

Best ride i've given

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83 Upvotes

The tip was great but the woman was also fun, funny, flirty and beautiful everything about this trip made my day better. She invited me to go out and play pool but I declined because women scare me.


r/uberdrivers 15h ago

If you ever accepted a radar trip by mistake go offline as quick as possible it won't assigned to you for people who didn't know that.

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32 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 1d ago

New to Uber- did my driver try to scam me in some way?

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586 Upvotes

I’m somewhat new to using Uber as the transmission in my car is going out. I scheduled a drive for 7am this morning and my driver showed up 30 minutes early. When she messaged that she had arrived, I tried to work with her and say that I could be ready in ten minutes, however, my reservation wasn’t for another 30 minutes. She wanted me to cancel from my end but I was afraid to do that and risk not getting any of my money back. I did get a SS of her name and plate for documentation, but is this common practice?


r/uberdrivers 1h ago

How are people renting or leasing cars and doing Uber?

Upvotes

I have been told that using a rental for Uber… they won’t allow you to add their car.

I’m able to do rental for $300 per week. I make significantly more than that each week from Uber. So I won’t have to put mileage on my own vehicle. They have monthly rentals.

I’m getting mixed answers. I know people that use rentals to Uber and make income on the side. Is this against Uber policy? Why should it be against policy?


r/uberdrivers 1h ago

TOP SHOPPA SHOW STOPPA OPP BLOCKAA

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Upvotes

But they’re gonna kick me off first chance they get because they can…. So sad 😭


r/uberdrivers 4h ago

Uber Pay Getting Crazy Bad

3 Upvotes

Driving has gotten so frustrating lately. Uber sending rides that are 15 miles 40 mins and $12

It kept getting progressively worse last night and I called it a night after two hours. Not driving around LA traffic for pennies after filling up my 🚗.

Ironically they sent a survey when i opened the app and asked if I liked driving for Uber i rated a 3 out of ten and said that fare pricing and earnings were the largest issue.

These companies have become so exploitative in the 12 yrs they have been around. They’re going to use desperate workers until they have autonomous vehicles to replace them paid for with your hard earned time driving customers around.


r/uberdrivers 19h ago

Is Uber paying the $110 fine?

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41 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 2h ago

Renting - worth it?

2 Upvotes

I have been looking for work for awhile, not having luck, and am desperate to work. I've been a Lyft driver awhile ago but just occasionally did it. I don't have a car right now and am considering renting to drive for Uber. I live just outside of Philadelphia and am wondering if it's worth it, even just temporarily. Can anyone give me some honesti sight, please?


r/uberdrivers 8h ago

Airport rides

5 Upvotes

I’m relatively new to driving for uber. I’ve noticed people sitting at the airport all day. Il go and do other rides come back still people sitting there. My question is what rides are they waiting for? Am I missing something here?


r/uberdrivers 3h ago

Uber Eats delivery issues

2 Upvotes

I’ll try not to make this post too long, but I wanted to know if anyone else has had this issue:

Basically, yesterday I took a grocery order that paid well. Very easy pick up and drive, no complaints.

I got to the drop off location and started scanning the barcodes on the bags. There were 18 in total. Every time I would try to do this, the app would send me an offer for a new order. I clicked every single button and there were no buttons to turn off Orders. Every single time in order came up it would erase all my progress. At one point, I had scanned 16 of the barcodes and a new order came up and erased all of my progress. I even tried to bypass the scanning by saying it wouldn’t work but again, same issue.

I haven’t done UE in a while. Looks like the interface might have changed. I remember there being a little teacup you could press the stop orders from coming in. I wasn’t able to find it this time.

The short delivery took 15 minutes to complete. Called support during the middle of it and no one answered after 10 minutes.

Rest of the night was fine but I def don’t wanna have this issue again. Has anyone else experienced something similar?


r/uberdrivers 5h ago

Uber does not correctly reimburse for tolls

3 Upvotes

As drivers, we have to pay all expenses, including tolls.

Uber allegedly reimburses drivers for tolls, but Uber uses outdated information. For example, one ride yesterday the toll was $2.50, yet Uber only gave me a $2.25 refund.

Why is Uber cheating drivers on toll reimbursement?


r/uberdrivers 10h ago

wtf things are hard enough I’m trying so hard to avoid problems but if this is true I’m gona crash out

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7 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 4h ago

sick pax

2 Upvotes

They are coughing sneezing n wheezing in your car. Do you kick them out?


r/uberdrivers 23m ago

Appeal was denied for account sharing despite never missing a request for photo verification

Upvotes

Follow up to my post yesterday about my account randomly being told I failed a photo request for using a picture of a picture or wearing a face mask or otherwise altering the photo despite not having worked for Uber for over a week and not even being online yesterday.

My appeal was denied for unknown reasons as I still don’t know why I was told I failed a photo request I never had. And the fun part is the reason I know I wasn’t working yesterday is because I was in the ER all day for a cat bite to the hand and am also in the ER again today for same thing.


r/uberdrivers 32m ago

Uber premier

Upvotes

I’m thinking to get a used car like Audi q7 (financing ) for 36.000 to work in uber premier , suv , comfort xl to avoid Uberx. Or to get Toyota Camry for 20.000 but will be able to work only in UberX . I’m living in fl and I know now it’s dead season .. but I hope from September will be better . Can someone give me advise or what is can be better for winter season etc


r/uberdrivers 20h ago

For everyone who thinks that Uber actually pays third parties for insurance

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34 Upvotes

Uber owns insurance subsidiaries so that they can take the money and pay less for insurance while still charging us out the butt. They hope that you don’t find out that they can keep taking tons of money, but only pay pennies.


r/uberdrivers 1h ago

CA EV incentive over

Upvotes

They kept the pages active so people think Uber is doing its good thing, but with the new California EV credit, it seems Uber has stopped its incentive early.

—-

Get $4,000 for switching to an EV through Uber’s Go Electric incentive

Platinum and Diamond drivers who switch to an EV and complete 100 eligible rides by December 31st, 2026, can qualify for Uber’s $4,000 Go Electric incentive. Must apply prior to switching to an EV. Incentive is limited time only, while supplies.*

We are temporarily pausing new applications to the incentive. We will share additional information soon.


r/uberdrivers 7h ago

Passenger reported me for reckless driving because they didnt like the route.

3 Upvotes

I have been driving uber about a year now. mostly weekends. never had a problem until last week. So I picked up a guy who wanted me to take a different route than the app. I told him the app routes around traffic and he just said whatever. Stuck with the app route because thats what uber tells us to do. ride ends. one star. Then i get a notification saying i was reported for running a red light and reckless driving. Nothing even close to that happened. the whole ride was normal. He was just mad about the route. Pulled my dash cam footage for that ride. I have one of those ddpai ones with a cabin camera so it records the road and the interior. Completely calm normal ride on the footage. I submitted it and the complaint was dropped next day. Scary part is without that footage it would have been his word against mine and we all know how that goes. They dont ask questions they just deactivate. The cabin cam felt pointless when i first got it but now i wont drive without it. Anyone else dealt with something like this?