By: Ridester staff
Making money as an Uber driver is easy if you have a vehicle and the right documentation. Finding ways to increase this steady supply of money, however, can be a bit challenging.
With years of working as Uber drivers, we’ve learned the ins and outs of driving for Uber. Everything from SURGE pricing to bathroom breaks has the potential to make or break your profitability.
We’ve compiled our best Uber driver advice to help you make more money as an Uber driver in under 3 weeks. These expert secrets will save you from years of minimal profitability and help you to start making more money in less than a month.
Our Top 17 Ways to Make More Money While Driving for Uber
1. Reduce Your Driving
Uber drivers make money by driving passengers to their respective destinations. However, rideshare drivers don’t make money when they are driving alone. Avoid driving around while you are waiting for a ride request. The gas you spend during these low activity time frames can quickly eat up your profits.
Instead of wasting gas, identify key locations that will allow you to park and wait with the engine off. Try to find areas that are well-lit, preferably where you can be seen, and keep the doors locked.
Keep an updated Excel sheet to monitor how much money you make while waiting in each location, as well as how many ride requests you receive. To take it one step further, break down this Excel sheet based on times of the day (morning, afternoon, early evening, late night) to further track your profits. Review this list every 2-3 months to identify your top performing locations.
2. Get the iPhone Hookup
Investing in the rideshare experience you provide passengers can be very profitable. Especially if you start offering passengers with a way to play their favorite tunes during the drive.
Invest in a car radio that has a way to plug in a smartphone, be it by an auxiliary cord or otherwise. Passengers that have the luxury of playing their jam on your car speakers are typically happier. Due to this, they are more likely to give a better tip and driver rating, which will help you to get more rides in the future.
3. Locate Nearby Restrooms
At some point during your shift, you will need to stop for a bathroom break. This mandatory task can become rather expensive if you end up driving around in an area that is heavily congested.
Map out easily accessible bathrooms in your driving area to prevent this massive time suck. Doing so will reduce the amount of gas wasted on finding an open parking spot, which in turn will help you make more money.
4. Manage Snack Attacks
Hunger will eventually strike during your shifts. Although it can be tempting to pick up snacks at a local gas station, avoid doing so. Overpriced food items and large sodas will inevitably reduce the amount of money you are able to earn each day. The best way to prevent this is to bring pre-made snacks from home. Try to bring healthy snacks that do not have an odor and are non-perishable.
5. Improve Tip Odds
Until July of 2017, Uber encouraged riders not to tip drivers. Uber has since changed their stance on this issue. Now, Uber passengers are allowed to tip. Unfortunately, many Uber riders aren’t aware of it.
There are many ways to help you let your passengers know about the reversal of this rule. However, directly asking passengers to leave you a tip is the fastest way to make your passengers feel uncomfortable and leave you a negative rating.
So how do you go about encouraging tips?
One of the best ways to do this is to add a decal or sign to your vehicle referencing the topic. Many sources online offer a ton of choices. If you do not want to pay an arm and a leg to let your passengers know about tipping, print out our free Uber tip sign.
6. Invest in Water
Offering a complimentary bottle of water is one of the easiest ways to make your passengers feel comfortable during the ride. Providing this essential item can increase tipping and rating averages for an Uber driver.
The investment in water is minimal. Quenching the thirst of 24 different passengers is on average about $5. Your tiny investment in a 24-pack of bottled water can easily push your profits to new previously unattainable levels. Plus, it’s tax deductible!
7. Purchase Rideshare Insurance
The only thing worse than ending up in a car accident is ending up in a car accident that won’t be covered by your insurance. In exchange for a small monthly increase in premiums, anyone or thing involved in an accident will be properly covered. This can protect you from devastating lawsuits or bankruptcy.
While your personal car insurance plan is sufficient for off-hours, most insurance providers charge additional fees to cover you while you are driving for Uber. Rideshare insurance provides the coverage that you need to stay on the road and out of financial ruin if an unfortunate event occurs.
8. Prepare a Backup
The occasional flat tire, dead battery or other mechanical failures can leave you with no source of income for days at a time. To reduce the amount of downtime you experience, find a backup vehicle to drive.
Try to find a friend or relative that is willing to let you borrow their car. Offer them a flat fee or work out another agreement. Once you find a backup vehicle, be sure to have it approved by Uber and registered to your account before it is actually necessary to use it.
9. Invite Your Friends
Do you have friends that are looking for ways to make extra income? Invite them to drive for Uber!
Share your unique Uber driver invite code with your friends to help them earn a side income and other bonuses. Sharing the rideshare love can also help you make a nice sum of money as well.
You earn a referral bonus each time your driver invite code is used. This means that you can earn money without driving by helping others make some extra cash. Keep in mind that the referral bonus for Uber varies from state-to-state, but don’t let that stop you from raking in the dough.
10. Keep Your Stats Up
Uber weighs your driver rating very heavily when matching you with passengers. As a result, it’s important for drivers to keep their stats up. Dressing similarly to you passengers, being professional, and providing an excellent rideshare experience are all great ways to improve ratings.
Unfortunately, a less-than-perfect ride experience can result in a low star rating. Strong car odors, reckless driving, or a dirty vehicle can all result in passengers giving you less than a five-star rating. Take the time to get constructive feedback from a friend or relative by driving them around. Doing so may help you discover any rideshare issues you may be overlooking.
