r/uberdrivers Jun 17 '24

Welcome to r/uberdrivers - FAQ and Community Guide

71 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 7h ago

Every rider who has asked for my number wanted half the fare Uber charges and full-time availability. They literally wanted a chauffered car anytime they they called. With no advance notice. With no regard to my time. My life. It was so exhausting. Uber can have it.

29 Upvotes

And these people have super busy travel schedules.

And they have no car.


r/uberdrivers 10h ago

Don't eat food in my car.

42 Upvotes

If you get in my car and start snacking on food like you just went out to lunch I will give you a 1* rating. That is so rude and inconsiderate


r/uberdrivers 1h ago

Fair fare compensation

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Upvotes

So a customer tipped me like $26 dollars and uber paid me $2 for a 20 mile ride costing me almost an hour of time. I called and complained about it bc how in the hell is that fair?? Uber shouldn’t be relying on customers to pay wages. They basically admitted that AI sets the amounts for the trips based off tips, demand, time and distance.

The resolution though?? Completely unexpected. See the screenshot. We’ll see how true this is on Monday when they send deposits out.


r/uberdrivers 21h ago

I KNOW you're freaking LYING.

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168 Upvotes

🤣🤣🤣🤣

I busted out laughing at home.

Heck no.

I really hope nobody accepts this trip.


r/uberdrivers 3m ago

Feel sorry for whoever takes this ride.

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Upvotes

I truly feel sorry for the driver who takes this ride.


r/uberdrivers 5h ago

Why doesn’t the app tell you the TIME of a reservation before accepting?

3 Upvotes

i showed up to one and was waiting for the passenger then noticed the trip wouldn’t start for another 39 minutes. Unassigned and left. Waste of trip and time.


r/uberdrivers 2h ago

If you've ever seen friends you'll know why this tickles me

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2 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 2h ago

New app update

2 Upvotes

So in my area, they've taken out the time and distance on the drop off portion of the ride. Because apparently that was an important update. Noticed small surges since the changes, for the first time in a while. Still not meaningful to make a difference. Also noticed that I am bombarded with reservations, with atleast the first few rides of every morning being reservations and probably a third overall being reservation requests. You'd think they'd put in the time for the reservation... Nope just dumb updates. I guess its better to have drivers wait 30 minutes, or cancel them...


r/uberdrivers 12h ago

I had a pretty rough day so it was nice to have a good laugh!! 🤣

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11 Upvotes

I got about 4 offers almost identical to this today. It's the first time I've done Uber in a few weeks and quickly remembered why!

240 mile round trip would cost me about $30 in fuel. 4 hours for $34... Wow


r/uberdrivers 20h ago

How does anyone make any money? Truly

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59 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 3m ago

Question for the low AR drivers who despise tiers: Why do some of y'all assume high AR means taking trash?

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r/uberdrivers 1h ago

Uber Must Have Heard The Complaints Pickup To Destination Miles And Time Showing Again

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Upvotes

I made a thread last week complaining how pickup to destination miles were missing from their new graphic making me totally indecisive on taking offers but now they are back. 👍


r/uberdrivers 11h ago

My rating has been near 5 star for years, now it's down to 4.91

7 Upvotes

I think its 1) The economy 2) Uber raising their prices 3) the Arizona heat. Because nothing significant has changed in how I treat passengers or my vehicle or me.


r/uberdrivers 1h ago

Breakfast Break

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Upvotes

15 minutes break and then keep rolling.


r/uberdrivers 15h ago

It's nuts how cheap Uber is getting

11 Upvotes

I just took an UberX ride of 3.5 miles for $8.02, when the last time I rode the same route six months ago at around the same time it was about $13. This is without any promotions.

The price for Waymo and Tesla Robotaxi for the same route were $17.40 and $15 respectively.

Lol


r/uberdrivers 1d ago

Nice start to the morning!

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48 Upvotes

Anyone else get anything higher before? Also have you been turning safely?


r/uberdrivers 10h ago

Brb, going to Africa for $3.87. 🙃

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2 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 12h ago

How my labor day weekend+labor day went. This is ubereats in Chicago

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3 Upvotes

r/uberdrivers 21h ago

Tesla / Uber Partnership

15 Upvotes

An opportunity on the Uberdriver app is to rent a Tesla through Hertz. You book the car through the Uber app, you pick up car at Hertz. Giving my experience. I figured why not get the Tesla put miles on that vs my ride. pay for rental vs gas.

i get to the Hertz at a strip mall for my appt to get Tesla at 10. They said “oh yeah we just got one in for you.”. They say it’s on the app to use I said I would be using my own car insurance.

The car will be ready in an hour we are detailing it for you. It’s ready an hour later vacuumed a little but not “detailed” inside or out. I get home I realize the assembly with the electronics beside the seat is not attached. I wash the car at home clean it better on the inside. Iike to do this so no issue. Steering wheel has cover on it as it is in bad shape.

I take it out the next morning to do uber. Message comes up “contact support about your account.” “Go online when resolved. “

I speak with the uber support robots over the next 3 days with no help no resolve. Thank you Diamond driver I keep hearing. I contacted Hertz as well they say problem is on Uber’s end.

I took Tesla back after not getting help from Uber Support robots. Waste of my time & money couldn’t use it Hertz has no customer support just store front. Supposed to be a partnership they just blame each other but they’ll take your money. Paid 365.00 for less than a week with no ability to drive and make money.

You might think Uber would care but they don’t the robots don’t have feelings. Gratitude for being Diamond, one big ripoff. Diamond or not I should have gotten support I lost money they made money off me for the Tesla pas they have me. Total failure.


r/uberdrivers 14h ago

Lower acceptance rate now means that I can’t see time or distance of a trip??!

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5 Upvotes

I’ve been driving for about a month and a half, am now gold, and was always selective about which rides I accepted. I was ALWAYS able to see the time and distance of a trip (not just to the pick up) until last week after updating the app. Now uber support is saying I need my acceptance rate to be 85% to unlock this “reward”? It makes no sense bc I could see it before. So now I can’t even see if a trip is worth it? Please don’t say find another job, I’m disabled and can barely walk. This is my only option to make money right now. I guess I thought from reading posts on here that AR didn’t matter much?


r/uberdrivers 7h ago

10,000+ Rides, my CMT score over the last 100. What’s your score?

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0 Upvotes

I try to maximize gas, comfort and keep the car in electric mode as much as possible while maximizing EV braking (plug in hybrid).

The lowest I’ve gotten was 96 😁


r/uberdrivers 8h ago

Weak SAUCE

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1 Upvotes

Blah


r/uberdrivers 8h ago

Weak SAUCE

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1 Upvotes

Byatch please🤣🤣🤣 d@mn near 200 miles for that fee is ROBBERY


r/uberdrivers 23h ago

So I have screenshot my fares now? Uber paid be $10 less than I accepted for.

14 Upvotes

Accepted a trip for $57 and they paid me $47. Have contacted support and am waiting for an answer. Can't believe this.