Tips For Driving Lyft Or Uber On Halloween

October 31, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Dave

Halloween Uber & Lyft Driving Tips

Halloween is usually a pretty good night for driving Lyft or Uber. This year, at the very least, it should be better than an average Wednesday. Although many people celebrated Halloween throughout this past weekend, there’s still going to be a number of Halloween gatherings this evening.

Overall, driving rideshare on Halloween is a good time. Most people are in a pretty good mood, you’ll see a few awesome costumes, and probably have a pretty good night earnings wise. Now, it may not be as much as you made this past Friday or Saturday, but it should still be fairly busy in most markets. Expect mostly short hops that you can get finished quickly, but don’t be surprised by a trip out to the burbs.

Here’s a few quick tips if this is your first time driving rideshare on Halloween.

Drive prepared

If you’re going to drive Lyft or Uber on Halloween, keep a few things in the car. These are basically clean up items. Hopefully, you won’t need any of this stuff. In fact, the odds are pretty slim that you’ll need anything on this list.

But if you do need one of these items, you’ll be really glad you have it with you. Most of these are the same things you’d want in the car if you drive on weekend nights, with one addition.

Papers towels
Clorox wipes – Paper towels are great for the initial cleanup, but these are great for disinfecting. Also, they help a little with the smell, if there is one.
Plastic bags – These can be used as sickness bags, or for disposing of paper towels and Clorox wipes.

Halloween Special Addition – If you have a small handheld vacuum, charge it up and stick it in the trunk.

There is decent chance that someone will get in your car wearing a costume that has a glitter component. After they leave, some of that glitter will stay behind in your car, an unwanted Halloween gift. When that happens, take many pictures and submit them to Uber or Lyft for a cleaning fee. Then, go get that handheld vacuum, clean up the glitter, and get back on the road. Glitter is a pain to get rid of without a vacuum. It’s still a pain with a vacuum, but more of a 5 minute pain instead of a 20 minute pain.

Candy in the car?

No, you don’t have to have candy in the car. Some drivers do it, but most don’t. It will likely have little effect on your earnings or ratings. However, if you’re in a great mood, or just want to spread some Halloween cheer, grab a bag of candy from the store. Also, make sure you have a plastic bag to put all the wrappers in.

Should you dress up?

It’s your car, and it’s Halloween. If you want to wear a costume, then wear a costume. If you don’t, don’t. If you do, just make sure it’s not a costume that would impair your ability to drive, or offend your riders.

Halloween earnings

On Halloween, earnings should be good, but don’t expect Christmas Eve type numbers. Also, there’s generally a bit of a lull between 9pm and 10:30pm.

Giant unwieldy costumes

This probably won’t happen. However, if you have someone with a giant costume, and it blocks your view of the rear window, make them take part of it off and put it in their lap, or the trunk if necessary. They’ll likely oblige. But if they refuse, cancel, and immediately email Lyft and tell them you could not take the ride because of a safety issue, namely, the passenger’s costume blocking the rear view window. In general, if you have an issue with a passenger, always email Uber or Lyft right after the ride if possible.

That just about covers it. Have a happy and safe Halloween, and of course, drive profitably.

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Amazon Flex: Getting Started As A Driver

October 24, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Jonathon C

Amazon Flex is one of the newer additions to the gig economy, allowing private couriers to deliver Amazon packages, groceries, and any other of the millions of products you can now have brought to your doorstep within hours of ordering. Many individuals that earn money driving for Lyft and Uber have added food and package delivery to their hustle so that they can earn more money during their time on the road. Intrigued? Check out this quick guide to getting started with Amazon Flex so you can start dominating the delivery space.

Signing Up With Amazon Flex

Signing up with Amazon Flex is quick and easy—as long as there is a position open in your area. This will be the first question you are asked about in the process. Amazon lists all open areas on their site, so all you have to do is scroll through and find an area close to you to work in.

If your area is not on the list, you can sign up to be on a waitlist, and Amazon will email you when a spot opens up. If your area is open, select it and you’ll be asked to provide:

Basic demographic info
Vehicle make, model, and year
Vehicle insurance info
Social security number/tax ID
Bank account info for direct deposit
Driver’s license info

You will also be asked to consent to a background check. The background check process takes a few days, so don’t expect to be making money with Amazon Flex immediately.

While you’re waiting for your clearance, take a look at the short training videos Amazon provides to ensure you’re ready to go when you’re approved. Pay attention closely, as there are quizzes at the end of each video.

Choosing Your Schedule

Driving for Amazon Flex is a bit different than driving for Uber or Lyft. You can’t just turn on your app and start driving any time you want. With Amazon Flex, you must pre-book your time by claiming shifts—or blocks, as Amazon calls them.

Each block is three to four hours and worth a set amount of money. Blocks are released for claiming 24 hours before they are set to begin. At that time, you can check for available blocks within the app. To claim a block, simply click on it and you’ll receive a confirmation message within the app. Amazon boasts that its drivers can make $18-25 per hour delivering packages to its customers.

What to Expect as an Amazon Flex Driver

Flex drivers can generally expect to pick up packages from an Amazon facility and drop them off to customers in their areas. When you get started, you choose a warehouse that you will pick up from.

Amid your deliveries, you also have the option to pick up “Instant Offers” that pop up in your area, allowing you to earn some extra cash. These could be from Amazon Prime, Amazon Fresh, or Amazon Restaurants.

The cool thing about Amazon Prime, Fresh, and Restaurants is that customers can tip you. Amazon takes none of your tips, so do a good job and you can dramatically increase your income with these Instant Offers.

Picking Up Orders with Amazon Flex

As mentioned before, you may have a variety of order types, which means you may have a variety of pickup locations. Let’s break them down now.

Prime Now, Amazon Fresh, Amazon Restaurants—The location of your pickup will show on your app an hour before your block start time. The pickup spot may not be the actual establishment—you may be instructed to go to a waiting area before being given the pickup location.
- Prime Now—There are Prime Now delivery stations throughout your working area. When you’ve arrived, you must swipe “I’ve Arrived” in your Flex app. You’ll be given your assigned route, and the app will let you know when your order is ready. You’ll then need to scan each of your assigned packages in the station before you head out.
- Amazon Fresh—These orders begin at a Prime Now delivery station. Follow the same process as with the other orders. You’ll be instructed as to whether the customer needs to be present for delivery and if you need to verify age due to alcohol deliveries.
- Amazon Restaurants—When picking up from a restaurant, you’ll want to have an insulated bag to keep food warm. You can either purchase your own bag or hope that there’s a loaner bag available at the delivery station. Like the other pickup types, when you arrive at the location, tap “I’ve Arrived” in the app and it will tell you where to go.
Store Orders—Some Prime Now orders require you go to an actual store to pick up the item(s). When you’ve arrived at your start location, tap the “I’ve Arrived” button on the app and it will tell you where to go to pick up the order.
Amazon.com Orders—These will begin at a delivery station, which will appear on your app an hour before you start your block. In most cases, you’ll be met by an Amazon employee who will verify your ID and ask you to scan an arrival code.

As with all of these orders, the app will provide you with suggested routes for delivery. Note, these may not be the best routes, so use your judgment and local knowledge to find the best routes in order to maximize your time and your income.

7 Tips to Really Make Money with Amazon Flex

While Amazon says its drivers make between $18-25, the reality is, the range is much wider. Keep in mind that this number is before taxes and expenses. So, when you take into account fuel, oil changes, and other maintenance costs, these numbers can be a lot lower. If you want to truly make money as an Amazon Flex driver, follow these best practices:

Log every mile you drive—Whether you keep a paper notebook in your car, or use an app, keeping track of your miles will enable you to take every deduction you deserve as an independent contractor.
Keep track of car maintenance—Save your receipts each time you fuel up or change your oil, brakes, transmission fluid, lights, windshield wipers, etc. These expenses may be deductible at tax time.
Organize your vehicle—When you receive your packages, they will have a manifest attached, which allows you to cluster your deliveries. Keep your packages organized in this way, with the closest deliveries in the front seat, then move the next round from the backseat to the front and so forth. Being able to hop out of your car with the right packages keeps you efficient.
Use a bigger vehicle—If you have access to a larger vehicle like an SUV, you have the ability to take on more packages for your delivery area. As your deliveries are generally concentrated in a given area, mileage is not as crucial as it is with passenger delivery services, so the reduced mileage efficiency isn’t as much of an issue.
Avoid returning packages undelivered—When you can’t deliver a package, you have to drive it back to the station, which takes time. Do everything you can to prevent package theft by leaving deliveries in a more secure location. Don’t forget to take a picture of the delivery location.
Dress for money—When it comes to making extra tips, it’s all in the presentation. Wear clean, well-fitting clothes. Brush your hair. Think about who you would want walking up to your door and handing you your burrito, electric razor, or organic produce.
Know your area—Even if you don’t live in the area to which you’re delivering packages, the best thing you can do to increase your efficiency is to know the area inside and out. This includes times of increased congestion, construction areas, and insider shortcuts. While the Flex app does its best to provide you with the most efficient route to your deliveries, it may fail to take into account local issues.

Get Ready to Ride

Amazon Flex has the capability to greatly increase your income, particularly as a part-time side-gig. The key is efficiency, so use the tips in this guide to get you started with Amazon Flex.

How I Finally Made Time to Be an Artist Working for Lyft

October 3, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Sandra K

How Lyft Let Me Be An Artist

Trying to survive as an actress or artist in Los Angeles is tough, so waiting tables has been the go-to for covering rent until Lyft came along. Rideshare companies have changed the economy, and offer the freedom to set your own schedule.

For me, this means I can have time to actually pursue a passion, not just a paycheck.

It’s never been odd to me to work side gigs while trying to find my way as an artist. The hours have been long, unpredictable, and on more than one occasion, left me short on rent.

For all the creatives without steady hours, a side hustle is pretty much a necessity. For me, rideshare driving with Lyft is a natural fit. It’s the best way to put food on the table, without having to serve food to a guest’s table.

Lyft Beats Serving Tables

If you’ve worked in a restaurant, you know the struggle. There are no money-making guarantees when you walk in the door. You can literally spend hours waiting for guests to arrive and leave with barely enough to cover the bus ride home.

Lyft not only provides the time needed to create my work, but incentives like Prime Time let me make more cash during specific work hours. And Lyft’s weekly bonuses allow me to increase my overall earnings. The benefits of being a Lyft driver mean boxing up someone’s leftover Rigatoni Bolognese is a thing of the past.

The Pay

As an independent contractor, Lyft drivers aren’t paid an hourly wage. I get paid by distance and driving time, but the big payoff for me is the tips: 100% of tips from passengers go to me. Add in the occasional weekly cash bonus (and sign-on bonus when you start driving), and I bring in around $20 an hour on average, sometimes a bit more.

The Schedule

No more closing the restaurant and getting home at 2 a.m. Choosing my own hours lets me book shows or festivals and still make art my concentration. I sign on four or five days a week, and even though traffic can be horrendous, working through the high volume hours can bring in more cash. Prime Time hours – which tend to happen during holidays, promotions, or events – are the best. Any time I get a notification from Lyft that it’s busy out, I tend to log on.

The Balance

Since I choose my own hours, I also get to choose what I do in my downtime. Finding the time to be in the studio or work with other L.A. creatives nearly never happened when I waited tables. Now I can rearrange my hours to make sure events that matter to me (like the Rose Bowl Flea Market) take priority.

The People

If you’re not a people person, Lyft may not be your ideal side gig (maybe try Doordash or Caviar instead), but the conversations sure beat what you’ll have serving at any restaurant. From wedding parties to job interviews, I’ve been a part (even if just a small one) of so many different phases of life, and it’s awesome. Seeing people at their best, or just being a listening ear when one is needed, is really one of the best parts of this job.

Tips for Driving With Lyft

Whether you’re attempting to make it on Broadway or just need one gallery owner to hang your work, I’ll share the secrets I’ve learned about making the Lyft side hustle work for you.

Be your own boss: Being self-employed carries a lot of responsibilities, risks, and rewards. There’s no paid time off for sick days or vacation time, so be prepared to work extra hours to make up the missed cash.
Discipline: The light bill still has to be paid when it’s cold or rainy, so if you don’t have the self-discipline to work through the elements (or skip the marathon of “Sex and the City” reruns) stick with a 9-to-5.
Know the city: Driving for Lyft works out best when you can take the back way around traffic and major highways. Understanding how secondary roads connect will help you respond faster to waiting riders, ultimately putting more cash in your pocket.
Check your insurance: If you’re like me and you’re just trying to make enough to get groceries for the next few days, car insurance probably isn’t top of mind. But if you’re in an accident, it becomes desperately important. Lyft provides insurance coverage for while you’re driving, but you should still consider adding rideshare coverage to your policy. Companies like Allstate, State Farm, and Geico now offer insurance specially designed for rideshare drivers at a low cost.
Take advantage of incentives: Prime Time hits when the number of available drivers goes down and demand for rides goes up. The rate increases and you can make more cash. What you’ll find is that a number of other drivers have the same idea, so your best bet is to take advantage of Prime Time in the area you’re already driving. Don’t bother racing to an area ten minutes away to catch a Prime Time ride. Generally, Prime Time only lasts a few minutes.
Stay in the city: I will do anything possible to stay on the West side or the North valley while I’m driving. Venturing into the suburbs means fewer riders and more time getting back into the hustle and bustle. Stick with the crowds for the most cash. Use the Lyft destination setting to keep yourself in a particular area.
Offer an extra: I didn’t get the idea to offer riders a phone charger as an extra until a few people asked if I had one. Once I realized how often people needed to boost their device, I grabbed a couple of chargers (one Android, one Apple). Once I added charges for rider cell phones, tips went up a bit.
Track it all: Even though Lyft may just be my side gig, I keep records of everything. From tolls to miles driven while I’m logged in, I keep it all together for tax time so I can itemize my work costs. Using a mileage tracker helps. I use Quickbooks Self Employed to track my expenses and mileage, but many drivers have started using Hurdlr and love it.

I’m a part of L.A.’s new creative underclass, the group that needs a way to make cash for rent to follow a passion. That’s where Lyft comes in. When I’m not elbow-deep in Abstract Expressionist-inspired artwork, I’m scanning a digital map, waiting on the next rider. And when paintings sit longer than they sell, I drive. I listen to the stories, and best of all, I don’t wait tables.

Best Side Hustles For College Students

September 28, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Hannah

Even with student loans, scholarships, and grants, most of us have to work at least part-time during college to survive. With overloaded class and study schedules, it’s incredibly hard to find a job to accommodate the average student’s needs. Fortunately, there are a variety of non-traditional options available.

More than anything, college students need flexibility. This quality is the basis of three popular types of side hustles, including:

Rideshare driving
Delivery driving
Electric scooter charger

Take a closer look at each of these categories and the most popular companies to work with.

Rideshare Driver

Becoming a rideshare driver is an excellent way to earn extra cash. For this job, you can simply sign up with a company like Uber or Lyft, and provide rides to people within your community for a fee. A perk of this side hustle is the ability to earn tips. However, there are some requirements that drivers need to meet.

Here’s a closer look at each of the top two companies’ minimum qualifications:

Lyft Driver Requirements

You need to be at least 21 years old.
All Lyft applicants need to have their driver’s license for at least one year.
You need clean DMV and criminal records.
Lyft drivers need to utilize a 2003 vehicle or newer, with four doors and proof of insurance.

For more information about your specfic market, see our page on Lyft car requirements.

Lyft currently offers sign up bonuses or sign up earnings guarantees in most markets.

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Pros and Cons of Rideshare Driving for Students

The earning potential of a rideshare driver is only limited by how much you want to work, which is why it’s so appealing. However, drivers have to pinpoint the best locations and time frames to earn big.

The age and vehicle restrictions are two of the biggest issues for college students. The 21-year-old minimum age requirement knocks out around half of the student population.

The vehicle standards are also a struggle because most students can’t afford to upgrade their cars or rent a new one. However, there are a variety of rental options now available.

Even so, rideshare probably isn’t going to be an option for younger students. However, older individuals or non-traditional students may find Uber and Lyft match their needs perfectly.

Delivery Driver

If you don’t meet the requirements to become an Uber or Lyft driver, you can still earn money on the go. Delivery services like Doordash, Caviar, and Instacart, have popped up left and right over the last few years. In everything from food to retail, shoppers want convenience. Luckily for you, this opens up a world of opportunity to make money during your free time.

Unlike driving rideshare, the on-demand delivery industry covers a variety of styles and specialties. Here’s a quick breakdown of each delivery option as well as the various requirements of each:

Doordash

Doordash is incredibly popular food delivery service, available in 1800 markets. When you want to grab some extra cash, you simply sign into the app, wait for an order to come your way, and then make the delivery. Doordash driver requirements include:

You must be at least 18 years old.
You need a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle.
You also need to pass a background check.

The company doesn’t place any age restrictions on vehicles, which is a bonus for students. Depending on the market, Doordash allows you to deliver using a motorcycle, scooter, bike, or even by foot. The minimum age also opens up the service to the majority of people.

Doordash does offer sign up bonuses or guarantees in some markets.

Drive For Doordash

Uber Eats

Uber Eats is a food delivery service. Unlike with its affiliated rideshare service, Uber Eats drivers don’t have to meet very strict qualifications. The delivery service’s criteria include:

Applicants need a reliable car, scooter, or bicycle at their disposal.
Must be at least 18 years old, and car drivers need to be 19.
Delivery drivers must have the ability to lift at least 30 pounds.

As a driver for this company, you pick up orders at local restaurants and deliver them to the correct address. It’s actually as simple as it sounds.

Caviar

Caviar, owned by the popular payment company Square, is similar to Uber Eats and Postmates, but there are some differences. While the company focuses on food delivery, they have different requirements. Caviar Couriers need to have the following qualifications:

You need to be at least 18 years old.
Couriers need to pass a background check.
You need a reliable vehicle, such as a car, truck, bicycle, or scooter.
Some markets require at least one year of delivery driver experience.

The biggest difference with Caviar is the experience requirement. While it’s not included in every area and the company has loosened the requirement recently, it does prevent some individuals from qualifying. However, Caviar Couriers tend to make more than their Postmates and Uber Eats counterparts, so it balances out.

For more information, check out our Caviar Driver Guide, or click the button below to start your application.

Caviar offers sign up bonuses up bonuses in many markets.

Join Caviar

Instacart

Instead of restaurant delivery, Instacart focuses on grocery delivery. Instacart Shoppers are paid to fill and/or deliver grocery orders to residents in the community. If you love grocery shopping already, then this position is perfect for you.

You need to meet the following criteria to qualify as a Courier:

Be at least 18 years old (21 in some areas).
Have the ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
Pass a background check.
Pass online food safety tests.

You don’t necessarily need to have a vehicle to become an Instacart Shopper. In-store shoppers simply put together the groceries, and the customer comes and picks their order up. If you do have an available vehicle, you can work as a full-service shopper and deliver the goods as well.

Join Instacart

Deliv

Deliv is different from the other delivery services in this article. While drivers can deliver produce and groceries, the delivery orders are placed by businesses instead of customers. Whenever a local business needs to get an order out pronto, they’ll utilize Deliv drivers to pick up and drop off the products.

To become a Deliv driver, you need to:

Be 18 years or older
Pass criminal and DMV background checks
Have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds
Have access to a vehicle that’s 20 years old or newer.

As a Deliv driver, you operate similarly to a FedEx or UPS driver. Yet, your deliveries are all local. You also sign up for three-hour shifts ahead of time, and during your shift, you get paid per mile and for your time. Known as a block rate, Deliv sets hourly rates for their drivers. If there aren’t any deliveries schedule during your shift, the company still pays you 50% of the block rate for your time.

Join Deliv

Pros and Cons of Delivery Driving for Students

Driving delivery for Instacart or Doordash offers more flexibility in terms of age and vehicle requirements than driving rideshare for Uber or Lyft.

The variety of options also ensures that each person has the opportunity to qualify for at least one company. As a result, there aren’t really any downsides to becoming a delivery driver as a student.

Scooter Charging

Electric scooters and bikes are showing up in cities all over the country, but they’re particularly popular around college campuses. While they’re fun to ride, they offer a money-making opportunity as well. Every scooter runs on a battery, and these batteries need charging nightly. As a result, you can partner with the most popular scooter rental companies to get paid for charging their equipment.

The service is fairly simple. Chargers utilize the app to locate scooters in their vicinity. After picking up the scooters, you take them home to charge them overnight. In the morning, you drop them off at the locations highlighted by the in-app map. The two most popular companies are Lime and Bird.

Lime Juicers

Formerly known as Lime Bike, Lime offers both electric scooters and bicycles, but the Lime-S scooter (seen below) is the most popular.

Their charging fleet, known as Juicers, are paid for each scooter they charge overnight. Typically, you can earn around $5 per charge.

Join Lime

Bird Chargers

Unlike Lime, Bird specializes solely in electric scooters, but their chargers are simply called “chargers.” As with Lime, Bird chargers are likely to make around $5 per charge. They also require that each person charges a minimum of three Birds daily.

Join Bird

Pros and Cons of Scooter Charging for Students

Scooter charging is ideal for many college students. Essentially, you spend around 30 minutes to one hour every day picking up and dropping off scooters. Such a small time commitment is perfect for a busy student. Plus, it won’t interfere with any other part-time gigs that you have planned. These qualities make this side hustle a top recommendation for students.

The one downside of scooter charging is that both Lime and Bird require applicants to own a vehicle. So, you can’t simply walk the scooters to and from your residence. If you live in traditional student housing, you could face other issues as well. Many dorms and student-only communities won’t welcome the additional electricity usage that charging requires. Be sure to check with your facility about applicable restrictions before you opt for this route.

Start Making Money With a Student-Friendly Side Hustle Today

Surviving financially as a student isn’t easy, but a little hard work and creative thinking will get you a long way. Ready to take on a new side hustle? Get the most out of your experience by utilizing our promo codes. From Lyft and Uber to Postmates and Caviar, our referral codes can help you earn more from the start.

What Type Of Vehicle Is Best For Delivery Drivers?

September 26, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Hannah

What’s the Best Style of Vehicle for Food Delivery Drivers?

Food delivery has become a staple in the on-demand industry, with companies like Doordash, Caviar, and Postmates leading the way.

To keep up with the increasing number of customers, more drivers are hitting the streets. Unlike rideshare however, food delivery drivers have a wider range of vehicle choices available to them. But, how do you figure out which one is right for you?

In this guide, we’ll take a closer at the vehicle options for food delivery as well as the requirements of the top delivery services. Keep reading to figure out the best style for your needs.

The Most Common Types of Food Delivery Vehicles

When making your vehicle decision, you need to consider a variety of factors. These items include the layout of your city and the service area. For instance, while a 5-mile ride on a bike isn’t too bad, pedaling for 10 or 15 miles in one direction might be too overwhelming. Consider these factors as you learn about each option.

The most common types of food delivery vehicle fall into four categories:

Car
Bike
Moped or motorcycle
Electric Scooter

Car, Truck, or SUV

Cars, trucks, and SUVs are all acceptable options for food delivery. Even two-seater options provide plenty of room to safely store and transport food. The benefit of a cabin also means you won’t be constantly exposed to the elements, like wind and rain.

However, delivery drivers put a lot of miles on their vehicle. As a result, you should expect to take fuel, maintenance, and repair costs out of your delivery earnings.

The bonus of a using a car is that you can handle larger orders. This can come in handy for large corporate orders you may get driving for Caviar or Doordash, or larger grocery store orders that you may get on Instacart.

Bicycle

A traditional bicycle is a popular choice for many delivery drivers. While this type of vehicle still has to follow the rules of the road, it makes getting through busy areas easier. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the time it takes to find car parking for pick-ups and delivery.

Since electric bicycles are becoming more readily available, they’re becoming a common choice for many couriers as well. With the boost of electric power, you have the ability to reduce your travel time and make more deliveries.

Moped or Motorcycle

Mopeds are a fantastic vehicle for food delivery, and the second most popular choice for delivery drivers, behind cars. They’re usually more comfortable and roomier than bicycles. They’re also easy to attach a food satchel, which keeps food warm or cool and out of the sun. Most mopeds run on batteries and require little upkeep, so you won’t have to pay for fuel and or high maintenance costs.

Actual motorcycles typically have larger engines and higher speed capabilities than mopeds. With this option, you can make better time by taking highways and interstates. However, there are also driver restrictions, like licensing and insurance.

Electric Scooters

Old-school, two-wheel, scooters have made a comeback in recent years, with one difference. They’re now electric. As a result, they’ve also become a popular transportation choice for delivery drivers. The biggest perk of using an electric scooter is the size. Not only are they incredibly lightweight, but many models fold up as well. These qualities help make deliveries more convenient, as drivers are able to take their vehicle into restaurants, on elevators, and right up to customers’ doors. The most popular model is the GOTRAX GXL.

Buy On Amazon

Food Delivery Company Restrictions & Qualifications

Aside from your personal preferences, you also need to consider the company you want to partner with. Many people choose to work with multiple food delivery services so they have plenty of money-making opportunities. Regardless of the number of companies you partner with, it’s important that you choose a vehicle that matches each service’s requirements.

Here’s a look at the top options. All of these options offer a sign up bonus or guarantee in most markets. To be eligible, simply click one of the “Join” buttons below to start your application.

DoorDash Vehicle Requirements

DoorDash is one of the most popular food delivery services and currently operates in nearly 2,000 markets. The company accepts Dasher applicants with any style and age of the car, whether it’s a two- or four-door model. This specification also includes trucks and SUVs. However, in some markets, DoorDash also allows drivers to use bicycles, electric scooters, and motorcycles. In a few select markets, you can even complete deliveries on foot. Check your market for specifics.

Join Doordash

Caviar Vehicle Requirements

Caviar is another top food delivery service, specializing in higher end restaurants. Caviar offers a wide range of vehicle options. Couriers can utilize traditional four- or two-wheel vehicles, including bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles. For cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles, the vehicle needs official registration and the minimum insurance coverage required by your state. Like DoorDash, Caviar only delivers food orders, so any of the vehicle options are likely to work well.

Join Caviar

Postmates Vehicle Requirements

Postmates drivers often provide food delivery, but their services also include delivery of products from other types of local businesses. The company allows the full spectrum of vehicles in its fleet, from cars and trucks to bicycles and mopeds. But, you also have the option to ride electric variations of scooters and bicycles.

Postmates has also now started offering a vehicle assistance program to their delivery drivers. Instead of car rentals, like many rideshare companies, members of their fleet have the option to rent an electric scooter or bicycle from GenZe. Currently, this program is only offered in select markets.

While many customers utilize Postmates for food delivery, you’re likely to end up also delivering things like office supplies. The wider market is great for business because it provides more delivery opportunities. However, the potential weight of non-food orders may make delivery on a traditional bicycle or scooter a struggle. As a result, it’s best to utilize a car or electric two-wheel mode of transportation for Postmates.

Join Postmates

Uber Eats Vehicle Requirements

Uber Eats is Uber’s food delivery service. In the majority of cities, the company allows drivers to utilize cars as well as bicycles and mopeds. However, each style has its own requirements.

Uber Eats Car Requirements

Vehicle 20 years old or newer.
Driver must be at least 19 years old.

Uber Eats Bicycle Requirements

Riders 18 years and older accepted.

Uber Eats Scooter Requirements

Rider needs to be at least 19 years old.
No three- or four-wheel models accepted.
Maximum speeds of 30 mph.
Motor needs to be 50cc or less.

Uber designed their food delivery service to allow its rideshare drivers to participate in between services. As a result, Uber drivers can accept delivery and ride requests at the same time. However, if you would like to make money from both services, you’ll need to utilize a car or SUV that meets the stricter Uber rideshare requirements.

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Which Style of Food Delivery Vehicle Is Right for You?

Choosing the right vehicle style involves considering a variety of factors. However, most of the companies allow drivers to switch vehicles. So, if you start with a car and want to move to a moped, it shouldn’t be a big issue. If you’re interested in learning more about individual delivery services, check out our pages on being a Doordash or Caviar driver.

Getaround Owner Guide – Listing Your Car And Uber Getaround

September 7, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Tracy Ballard

Getaround 101: How to List Your Car

Getaround is a peer-to-peer carshare service that’s changed the car rental industry. They recently received a $300 million investment from Softbank and are in the midst of a massive expansion.

Their recent collaboration with Uber has further boosted their appeal to drivers and vehicle owners alike. While the system may seem complicated from the outside, it’s fairly simple once it’s broken down. Take a closer look at Getaround and how it can benefit your wallet, below.

What Is Getaround

Getaround takes a modern spin on on-demand vehicle rentals. Instead of renting or leasing a car from a dealership, drivers rent from private owners. The peer-to-peer program is available in a growing number of cities, including:

San Francisco
Berkeley
Boston
Chicago
Los Angeles
Miami
Oakland
Philadelphia
Portland
Seattle
Washington, D.C.

The company accepts a variety of vehicle types. Their categories range from high-end luxury sedans and SUVs to basic trucks and vans.

Uber has also partnered with the service to create Uber Getaround. This option allows drivers to rent a vehicle for the purpose of rideshare. However, Uber Getaround is only currently available in the San Francisco Bay area.

How Getaround Works

Getaround is powered by a smartphone app. Owners can sign up to list their vehicle, and renters then select the one of their choosing. The car rentals are available for as little as one hour, but drivers can reserve a vehicle for much longer. Owners have the option to set various times and days their ride is available to rent. They also have the opportunity to accept or reject a rental request.

The carshare service stands out because it utilizes the Getaround Connect system. This technology allows drivers to unlock and operate a vehicle directly from their phone. It also ensures owners can track their car’s location at all times. There’s a one-time installation fee of $99 for the Connect operating system.

Getaround Owners – Costs, Commissions, And Rental Rates

Owners are required to pay $20 per month to utilize the listing service. However, the company provides a 30-day trial for free. Getaround also takes a 40 percent commission on all trips. The rest of the earnings are deposited into the owner’s account on a monthly basis. See more details on Getaround’s fees page.

Rental rates vary widely. Some cars are available for $35 per day, others are over $100. Most rentals tend to be in the $40 – $60 per day range.

Renting To Uber Drivers (only San Francisco)

Not all Getaround vehicles are available for the Uber partnership rentals. There’s a special section of the Getaround app that showcases Uber-approved vehicles only. As an owner, you choose whether you want your vehicle to be available for use as an Uber vehicle.

Advantages of Getaround

While Getaround is beneficial to Uber drivers, the system is full of advantages for vehicle owners. Here are a few elements that set this carshare service apart:

Getaround Insurance

Each vehicle listed on the site receives $1 million in protection through the company. Getaround insurance coverage provides full liability as well as collision and comprehensive coverage. It also offers protection for theft and uninsured motorists.

Drivers Screening

The service is also designed to protect owners from dangerous drivers. Every renter undergoes a background check. The process includes a driving history review through the DMV and identifies verification with more than 16 points of reference.

Getaround Predictive Pricing

In some markets, Getaround offers predictive pricing for car owners. This takes the guesswork out of setting the rental price for your car. Instead, Getaround automatically adjusts the rate using their pricing algorithm. The algorithm takes over 20 variables into account to find the best rental price for your vehicle.

Driving Restrictions

Getaround limits the amount of miles drivers are allowed to put on a vehicle. The mileage is restricted to 20 per hour and 200 per day. If the renter goes over that amount, they pay per mile. This process helps combat the cost of wear and tear on the vehicle.

Carshare users are also required to return the vehicle with the same amount of fuel as they found it. For regular renters, the tank levels must be at least one-quarter full. Uber drivers, on the other hand, are required to fill the gas tank before parking it.

Customer Service

A top perk of Getaround is their customer service. The company offers around-the-clock support and roadside assistance. If an issue arises, renters and owners can call the Getaround phone number for immediate help – 1-866-438-2768. They also offer support through email at help@getaround.com.

Driving Credits

Vehicle owners are also rewarded with driving credits. Every month, a $50 Getaround promo code is applied to your account for rental purposes. Use your credits to rent a car while traveling or take a spin in a high-end ride for fun.

Getaround Vehicle Requirements

Before you can list your vehicle with Getaround, you need to make sure it meets the requirements. They include:

Age: 2006 model or newer
Mileage: 125,000 miles or less
Seating: Less than eight passenger occupancy

The company prefers if you own your vehicle, but they do accept leased models. However, many dealers include clauses in lease agreements banning rental services. Double check your contract to avoid any issues down the road.

How to List Your Vehicle On Getaround

Listing a vehicle on the Getaround platform is incredibly simple. Click the button below to get started listing your car on Getaround. Then, just follow the steps below.

List With Getaround

1. Sign Up to List

First, you need to create an account. Enter basic personal information, like your name and phone number, followed by your car’s model year and mileage. Click “Start Listing’” to move forward. You’ll need a Facebook account to sign up for a Getaround account.

2. Create a Profile

Next, you’ll create a profile for your vehicle. This process includes uploading pictures and providing a description for potential renters. Your profile is what convinces drivers to choose your vehicle, so take your time with this step.

3. Set Location and Availability

You also need to set the home location for your vehicle, which is where renters will pick it up and drop it off. This spot can be a personal space, a street spot, or one of Getaround’s reserved areas. You also need to choose days and times that you want to make your vehicle available for Getaround renters.

4. Input Payment Details

The carshare company requires that all listers provide payment details for direct deposit. They utilize this information to send out monthly earnings.

5. Wait for Approval

The final step is waiting for approval. Once your list has been accepted, a Getaround Product Evangelist will reach out to explain the next steps. One of the first things you’ll do is set up a time for them to pick up your vehicle to install the Connect system.

How to Rent an Uber Getaround Vehicle (SF only)

New Uber Drivers

New San Francisco Uber drivers have the option to request a rental car during the Uber application process. When you hit the vehicle information page, click the “I need a car” button. Select Getaround, and the app will guide you through the rest of the sign-up steps.

Current Uber Drivers

Current San Francisco Uber drivers can sign up for Uber Getaround two ways—through the Getaround app or your Uber driver profile.

Getaround App

For the former, download the Getaround app and create your account. The carshare company requires a Facebook account to sign up.

After your account is approved, you’ll gain access to their fleet. However, not all rentals are available for Uber use. Find Uber Getaround vehicles by choosing “Drive With Uber” from the menu. This step will provide you with all Uber car rental options in your area.

Uber App

To sign up through Uber, open your driver profile n the app or online. Choose the “Vehicles” category from the options. From the rental partner selection, tap “Getaround,” and then select “Rent a Vehicle.”

Uber drivers are required to complete the same approval process as non-Uber drivers. However, you’ll receive a special code that makes the connects your Getaround data with your Uber account.

Turo vs. Getaround

There are many comparable points for vehicle owners. However, Getaround seems to come out on top for most categories. The company only takes a 40 percent commission. Turo automatically pulls out 65 percent of ride earnings for themselves. Not only is Turo’s commission higher, but their perks don’t quite match up to Getaround’s.

Plus, Getaround offers the convenience of the Connect system. Turo renters and vehicle owners have to meet up to exchange keys.

Sign Up With Getaround and Start Earning

Ready to earn some extra cash? Getaround is an excellent way to boost income as a vehicle owner. It’s also a valuable service for Uber drivers who don’t have a vehicle or their current model does not meet the requirements. If you’re ready to join the carshare service, click the button below to start listing your car and earning thousands.

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Uber Select – Driver Guide To Uber’s Higher End Service

August 28, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Don M.

Uber Select: Your Complete Driver Guide

To accommodate a growing market, rideshare companies like Uber have expanded their offerings. Now, riders get to choose from a variety of categories, from basic to high-end. One of the ride tiers that benefits passengers and drivers alike is Uber Select. If you’re interested in becoming an Uber Select driver, find out what it takes in this guide.

What’s Uber Select?

Uber Select is the first tier of luxury ride options offered by the rideshare company. Rides in this category offer the middle ground between the affordability of UberX and the grandeur of Uber Black. Essentially, Select trips provide everyday opulence instead of special occasion ambiance. Trips in this category consist of one to four passengers, and the vehicle and driver standards are higher than UberX.

How Does Select Differs From Other Ride Styles

For drivers, Select differs from other styles in both earning potential and requirements.

Earning Potential

Riders have to pay more for luxury, and as result, Uber Select drivers make more per trip. The fares vary based on location, time of day, and market demand, but Select fares are often about twice as much as UberX fares. However, your overall earning potential depends largely on the local demographic. If you live in a working-class community, then the lower cost of Uber X will be in higher demand, resulting in less opportunity for Select requests. On the other hand, the middle or upper class demographic in larger cities is likely to favor higher-end rides.

In comparison to Uber Black, Select drivers make less per trip. The highest Select fares typically match up with the bottom base rate for Uber Black. But, since both options offer luxury, many riders are likely to choose the slightly lower fare of Select over Black.

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Here’s the Uber Select rate card for Los Angeles.

Qualifying Criteria

Both Uber X and Select drivers have to meet the rideshare company’s basic requirements, including licensing and driving history. However, Uber is more restrictive than other companies as to who can drive for their higher end services. In fact, Select drivers need to achieve and maintain a high rating, and they must also utilize a luxury style of vehicle.

One of the biggest differences between Uber Black and Select drivers is that the former is a professional chauffeur. Not only do drivers in the top tiers have to have a commercial driver’s license, but they also need previous behind-the-wheel experience as a professional. Considering these additional requirements, it makes sense that Select drivers make slightly less than their Uber Black counterparts.

Uber Select Driver and Vehicle Requirements

To become an Uber Select driver, you need to meet all of the company’s criteria. Uber Select requirements are less stringent than Lyft Lux requirements. There are some crossover requirements between Select and other Uber ride levels, but here are the basics:

Uber Select Driver Requirements

Drivers need to offer these qualities:

Clean driving and criminal record
Top Uber rating
Over the age of 21
Valid driver’s license

Uber Select Vehicle Requirements

All Select vehicles must meet these criteria:

Model year 2009 or newer
Leather or vinyl interior with no tears
Seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
Working windows and air conditioning
No full-sized vans or trucks
No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles

Uber Select Eligible vehicle models

Below is the Select list for Chicago. Most cities have a similar list, but may vary slightly.

Acura – MDX, RDX, RL, RLX, TL, TLX
Alfa Romeo – Giulia, Stelvio
Audi – A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, S3, S4, S6, S7, S8. Q3, Q5, Q7
Bentley – All
BMW – 3-series, 4-series, 5-series, 7-series, M5, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6
Buick – Enclave, LaCrosse, Regal
Cadillac – ATS, CTS, DTS, SRX, STS, XTS, XT5, Escalade, Escalade EXT
Chrysler – 300
Genesis – G80, G90
Hummer – H2, H3
Hyundai – Equus, Genesis
Infiniti – EX, FX, JX, G Sedan, M, Q40, Q45, Q50, Q50L, Q60, Q70, QX4, QX50, QX56, QX60, QX70, QX80
Jaguar – X-Type, XF, XJ, XJR
Kia – K900
Land Rover – Discovery, Range Rover, LR2, LR3, LR4
Lexus – ES, GS, GX, IS, LS, LX, NX, RX
Lincoln – Continental, MKC, MKS, MKT, MKX, MKZ, Town Car, Navigator
Maserati – Ghibli, Levante, Quattroporte
Maybach – All
Mercedes-Benz – C-Class, CLA-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, G-Class, GL-Class, GLA-Class, GLK-Class, GLS-Class, M-Class, ML Class, R-Class, S-Class
Nissan – Armada
Porsche – Macan, Cayenne, Panamera
Rolls-Royce – All
Tesla – Model S, Model X
Volkswagen – CC, Touareg
Volvo – XC90

How to Become an Uber Select Driver

Even if you meet all of the driver and vehicle qualifications, you don’t automatically get to drive for Select. Instead, you need to first reach a few milestones on the lower tier. This process includes:

50+ UberX Trips: This step ensures you’re comfortable on the road and with the basic system arrangement.
4.7+ Rating: The high-end ambiance of Select rides requires that drivers offer top-quality service to their passengers.
80% Ride Acceptance Rate: This factor doesn’t apply to every market, but it’s important to keep in mind in case it’s a requirement for your location.

Once you meet these additional vehicle and driver qualifications, Uber’s system will upgrade your driver status to include Select options. As a result, you’ll receive requests for all the rideshare tiers that fit your circumstances. If you feel like you’ve reached the additional criteria but haven’t been upgraded, contact the Uber customer support team for assistance.

If you are an Uber Select driver, you can choose to receive UberX and UberPool requests as well. Or, you can choose to only accept Select requests.

Start Driving Uber Select Today

By meeting the criteria for Uber Select rides, you can drastically boost your income as a driver. If you’re ready to take advantage of the higher driver fares, make sure you reach your full earning potential with our Uber sign up bonus. Simply utilize our referral link or input the code – i9tz1 – when you apply.

Or you can click the button below to start your application with our promo code applied. New Uber drivers can receive an Uber sign up bonus guarantee of up to $2000!

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Uber Driver Pay: How Much Do Uber Drivers Make?

August 23, 2018/in Blog, Driver Advice/by Hannah

Uber Driver Pay: How Much Do Uber Drivers Make?

If you’re considering joining Uber, then you’re probably searching for an answer to this question: “How much do Uber drivers make? The answer is far more complicated than you might realize. Here, we break down the complexities of the equation to help you find answers. Find out more about estimating Uber driver pay, below.

How Much Does Uber Pay?

To answer the question, “How much do uber drivers make?” you’ll need to consider three major factors:

Ride fare
Expenses
Rideshare taxes

Here’s a closer look at each of these aspects:

Calculating Uber Ride Fares

Before you can figure out your potential average earning as a rideshare driver, you need to first answer this question: “How much does Uber pay?” Let’s start by determining Uber ride fare. Here are the four major components that determine how much an Uber rider will pay:

Base fare
Booking fee
Ride time
Travel distance

If there is a boost in demand at the time the Uber is ordered, they’ll also pay surge pricing, which multiplies the total fare minus the booking fee. However, the rider’s total payment doesn’t go into the pockets of the Uber driver.

Firstly, the booking fee automatically goes to the rideshare company to cover various internal costs. Taking it out of the fare scenario, you’re still left with the base fare, per minute charge, and per mile rate. After adding these three together, Uber takes a 25% commission out of the total. The rest is Uber’s driver pay.

A simple way to think about it is that driver’s are paid a certain rate for driving miles, and a certain rate for ride time. Here’s the current Uber Rate Card for Boston. So Uber drivers in Boston are paid $1.35 per mile and $0.21 per minute minus 25%.

For a ten mile ride that takes twenty minutes, that comes out to $13.50 (pay for miles) + $4.20 (pay for time) – 25%, or $13.28.

Keep in mind that the style of Uber ride will affect your potential pay. You’ll make less for an UberX trip than you will providing UberXL or Uber Black SUV rides. The per mile and per minute rates are significantly higher for those vehicles.

One of the biggest fluctuations in rideshare driver income is tips. The company’s commission rate doesn’t include the tips you earn as a driver, so you get to include all of your tips in your take-home pay. If you practice excellent customer service skills, you’re likely to increase your average hourly earnings far above the local average. Top drivers can increase their weekly pay 10-20% thorough Uber driver tips alone.

Uber Driver Pay vs. Expenses

The main reason that Uber’s suggested hourly average doesn’t match that of the study is expenses. Rideshare drivers operate as independent contractors, so they’re responsible for all the expenses associated with driving for hire. Some of the most common out-of-pocket costs for Uber drivers include:

Fuel
Rideshare insurance
Routine maintenance
Vehicle repairs
Smartphone plan
Auto loan payment

When combined and averaged out, your total expenses will reduce your average earnings.

Rideshare Taxes

Another reason Uber’s suggested hourly average doesn’t match up is that they’re providing a gross income amount, which doesn’t factor in rideshare taxes. Managing this is one of the most challenging tasks for Uber drivers. As an independent contractor, all federal, state, and local taxes are your responsibility.

So, on top of covering your own expenses, you’ll also need to calculate and pay income tax as well as social security and Medicare tax. To determine your potential net income as a rideshare driver, you’ll also need to factor in the required taxes and set them aside every payday. This process further cuts into your overall earnings.

However, there is a silver lining. While you will need to pay your operating expenses out of pocket, you can deduct all or a percentage of each on your taxes as a business expense. This process will reduce your overall tax liability, which can lower your estimated quarterly tax payments throughout the year. To make this process easier, use an expense and mileage tracker to maintain thorough documentation throughout the year.

How Much Do Uber Drivers Make?

Now, you know what plays into ride fares as well as the operational expenses and tax requirements of Uber drivers. Together, these three elements affect the overall Uber driver pay average. Yet, the total of each of these categories is very location-specific.

Uber sets their fares based on the city in which you drive, and your average expenses are also affected by regional variations, such as fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. While federal tax percentages are the same everywhere in the U.S., the state and local tax percentages vary by location.

Here’s an example of what you can expect to earn as a driver in New York City:

Base Fare: $2.55
Per Minute Rate: $0.35
Per Mile Rate: $1.75

Taking in these costs into consideration, the Uber fare estimator calculates that a 30-minute trip from the Tenement Museum to the Central Park Zoo would cost $23.71 without a booking fee. To determine the driver’s earnings, you’ll multiply the fare estimate by .75, which results in $17.78. Multiply this trip by two—since it’s a 30-minute trip—and you’ll average $35.56 per hour. However, you’ll need to subtract around 30% (approximately $10) for taxes, which results in around $25 per hour. While this amount is similar to Uber’s suggestion, you’re not done with your calculations yet.

Additionally, you’ll need to subtract your average hourly expenses. For argument’s sake, let’s say that you spend $420 per month on your vehicle payment, $280 on your car insurance, $100 on maintenance, $150 on fuel, and $50 for smartphone service. That averages out to look like this per hour:

Auto Loan Payment: $1.75
Car Insurance: $1.23
Vehicle Maintenance: $0.13
Fuel: $0.75
Phone: $0.25

Now, subtract the expenses of $4.11 per hour from your net (post-tax) income of $25.56 and you end up earning $21.45. This estimated hourly wage is still close to Uber’s own marketed driver earning potential, but it also envisions that’ll you’ll score back-to-back rides with little to no wait time. Such variables make estimating Uber driver pay a complicated process.

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How Much Will My Uber Driver Pay Be?

For years, the rideshare company has claimed that drivers can make up to $25 per hour. However, one trusted study puts the national average at just under $16 per hour.

Why is there such a drastic difference? Much of it has to do with which market the driver is in. While the national average for uber driver pay may be around $16 per hour, drivers in many markets can earn much more. If you’re in driving Uber in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Chicago, $25 per hour is doable (although not all the time).

If you’re in Boise though, averaging $25 per hour driving for Uber is unlikely.

Another major factor that determines driver pay is experience. As you can see from the chart below, drivers earn substantially more after completing their first 100 rides. Earnings per hour tend to increase the more rides you do.

So how much can you expect to make when you start driving with Uber? In most markets, you’ll probably make between $15 to $18 per hour as you start out.

If you’re in a market with more than 500,000 people, your earnings should increase to the $20 per hour range after a few weeks of driving. If you’re full time in such a city, you should be able to earn between $1000 and $1500 per week driving UberX, and more on the premium Uber platforms.

Pretty much every Uber driver makes more money per hour in their third week of driving than their first week.

Here’s what a some drivers have earned recently on Uber.

How to Boost Your Uber Earning Potential

With all of this information, you’re probably wondering what you can expect to make as an Uber driver. While Uber’s suggestions and the study mentioned above are drastically different, drivers that have provided their earning information to Glassdoor seem to fall in the middle range at $14 per hour on average.

As you can see, answering the question, “How much do Uber drivers make?” isn’t as easy as most people imagine. There isn’t a precise method to estimate your individual income as an Uber driver. Every location differs on pricing, and the demand will fluctuate daily to affect your overall average. However, you can utilize insider tips and tricks to get ahead and make the most of your time on the road.

At Rideshare Central, we offer a growing number of helpful guides, how-tos, and tool reviews to assist you with becoming a top rideshare driver earner. Here are a few to get you started:

You can get an Uber sign up guarantee of up to $2000 by using our Uber driver referral code (i9tz1) when you sign up to drive. Simply click the button below to get started.

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