There’s endless advice on side hustles and ways to make extra money out there, and these days you’ll often see driving for Uber listed as an option. Want to make money with Uber? In this article, I’m going to share with you 7 hacks to maximize your earnings and make up to $100 per hour!
It sounds tempting as if you have a car, you’re already have everything you need to get started. Is it something that’s going to make you money, though?
Here’s everything you need about driving with Uber, so you can maximize your profits.
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Driving for Uber FAQ
Why Start Driving With Uber?
Firstly, why should you start driving with Uber? What is it that makes this app a potential money-spinner?
The app allows you to get in touch with people who need a ride. You’ll drive to them in your car, drop them off at their destination, and be paid automatically through the app.
It’s incredibly easy to get started. In fact, the training consists of a 13-minute video. Once you’re ready, you can get out there and start taking fares.
Many people like using Uber as a side hustle, as there’s almost no outlay. You’ll download the Uber driver’s app on your phone and use your existing car.
If you have those two things, you’re ready and raring to go. It’s easy to see why so many people are using it as a way to make extra cash.
Have The Right Kind Of Car
Once you’ve decided to become an Uber driver, you’ll need to evaluate the car you have. It needs to fit the bill for those looking to become a driver.
Uber requires you to have a car that has at least four doors and can fit a minimum of four passengers, as well as yourself. The vehicle must be 15 years old or newer.
It cannot be a salvaged or rebuilt car, and it cannot be a rental car. It must also have no cosmetic damage or missing pieces.
If your car meets these requirements, then you can get started.
Be aware that the size of your car will affect the fares you can get. There’s the option to select UberX and UberXL on the passenger app.
If the passenger needs more seats, then they’ll select UberXL. If you have a bigger car, you can take advantage of those fares, while those in smaller cars can’t.
It’s also worth considering that there will be extra wear and tear on your car, as you use it for Uber. If the cost of it would cancel out the money you make Ubering, it may not be worth it.
Take Care Of Yourself While Driving
When you’re out on the road, it’s important you take care of yourself. You want to be in optimal condition, so you can drive safely and keep racking up those fares.
Ensure you keep snacks and water in your car. Uber says you should have these available to the passengers, but in fact, you should have them for yourself.
Having these on hand means you won’t have to stop for food and spend some of your profits on it. It’s a good way to save some cash.
Also, make sure you know where the local bathrooms are. They need to have free parking and unlocked bathrooms that don’t require purchase.
Often, you’ll have the best luck in fast food places and supermarkets, so know what’s near you when you’re driving.
How Much Can You Make Driving For Uber?
Here’s the most important question. How much can you make as an Uber driver?
You want it to be worth your while, especially if you’re giving up evenings and weekends to make money. How much are drivers making?
On average, drivers say they’re making $9 an hour. That doesn’t sound like a lot at first, but remember that this is the average.
If you want to start making the big bucks on Uber, firstly, you’ll need to try working on times when there’s a lot of demand. That ensures you always have fares, and you can take advantage of surge pricing when it’s available.
Don’t forget to diversify, too, by signing up for Uber Eats or other rideshare services like Lyft. If you’re on those, you can take advantage of downtimes by logging into other apps.
Plus, remember your location will affect how much money you make as a driver. If you’re in a highly-populated area, you’re much more likely to find fares.
Uber themselves say that there are promotions available, such as when you reach a set number of trips. This will give you extra money, so keep that in mind.
Remember, though; you’ll need to pay for the wear and tear on your car, as well as the gas. You’ll need to crunch the numbers and see if it’s worth it for you.
Should You Drive For Uber?
On the face of it, there’s a lot to recommend Uber as a gig for those looking to make money. You can use your own car and phone, so you don’t need to put any cash down to get started.
You can work hours that suit you too, so you can easily do it around your current job.
This sounds good, but the problem is to make the best money, you’ll need to fit around the most valuable hours, not the other way around. If you can’t, you won’t be able to make a lot of cash.
For some, though, driving for Uber is a really excellent side hustle. Are you someone that just wants to take on some extra work and bring in another source of income?
If so, Uber driving may be just the thing for you. If you have a car that fits their requirements, you can give it a go.
To make it your full-time job, though, then it may not be what you’re looking for. No problem, though, as there are plenty of other side hustles that you can turn into your main income source.
7 hacks to make money with Uber
Now you’ve signed up, got the signage on your car, and you’re ready to go. You’ll want to maximize the fares you get, so you can make the most money possible.
Here are some tips from the experts to help you do just that.
1. Know the market
You’ll be driving in your local area, so you need to understand the marketplace. You can research two ways: talking to other Uber drivers and checking out the passenger app.
Every area is different and will have different demands as far as ride sharing is concerned. If you can get out there at the right time, you can make bank.
For example, in most cities, you’ll find Friday and Saturday nights are the most popular nights for Uber drivers. People leaving bars and clubs need a ride home, and you can be there to give it to them.
That may not be the case for your hometown, though. Talk to those drivers, and see where the real demand is.
For some drivers, they’ll find being available on game nights is most profitable. They can be there when the stadium lets out, ready to pick up the fans looking for a lift.
Make sure you’re doing your research, so you can get out there when it makes most financial sense to do so.
2. Double up: make money with Uber and Lyft
As well as Uber, there’s the Lyft app. It’s a very similar app that offers ride-sharing to people in your area.
If there’s Uber in your area, there’s most likely Lyft too. You can take advantage of this by downloading that app too and driving for them both.
There’s nothing to stop you from doing this, and you can take advantage of the extra passengers and fares available to you. For example, if you’re finding it’s quiet on Uber, you can switch to Lyft and see if there’s someone waiting for you.
3. Diversify in your driving
If you’re driving for Uber, you’ll be familiar with Uber Eats. This is a service that lets customers order from local restaurants and have the food-driven to them.
As a driver, you can easily set yourself up as an Uber Eats driver, too. This lets you switch between ride-sharing and food delivery, depending on what’s in demand when you can drive.
It’s another way to diversify and make more money with the same tools you already have.
4. Don’t keep driving when looking for a fare
Once you’ve dropped off a passenger, you’ll be on the hunt for the next one. Many drivers make the mistake of driving around, looking for that next fare.
It makes sense in theory, as if you aren’t finding fares in the local area, you should move around until you can find more demand. However, it can actually be costing you money.
When you’re driving around, you’re spending more on gas and putting unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicle. That’s going to reduce the net income you’re making from this gig.
Here’s a better way to make money with Uber. Instead, park up and wait while you’re in between gigs. Turn the engine off to reduce wear, and wait a while to see if anything else pops up.
Some drivers don’t like doing this, as they feel they’re wasting time as they wait. You’ll often see, though, that the new fares start popping up quite quickly, and you’ll be back on the road again.
5. Use Back to Back rides
Another feature that Uber recently brought in was Back to Back rides. This is another way you can avoid that long wait while you’re waiting for the next fare.
It’s part of the driver app, and it’s very easy to implement. When using it, you’ll see fares pop up that are close to where you’re dropping your current passenger off.
If you see this, you can accept the new fare as you’re still driving the first one. The passenger will be informed that you’re dropping off someone nearby, and then you’ll be on your way to them.
That’s a great way to make the most out of your time and get the most profit possible.
6. Don’t chase the surge fares
When there’s a high demand for Uber cars in your area, the prices will go up to encourage drivers into the area. It’s very tempting to head there, too and get some extra cash.
While that’s good in theory, you may not actually make the money you were thinking of. When more cars show up, the supply increases, bringing the prices back down.
If you’re in the area when the price surging happens, then you can take advantage of it. However, it doesn’t pay to chase after surge pricing.
It’s better just to ensure you’re on the road when there’s demand, so you can keep steadily picking up fares.
7. Make sure you’re using the passenger app
As a driver, you’d think that you don’t need to be using the passenger app. However, it has its uses.
When you have the app open, you’ll see all the other drivers in the area. That’s useful information, as you can see how much competition is around you.
You’ll also see that the passenger app is slightly more up-to-date when it comes to surge pricing. If you want to take advantage of those prices, you’ll want to keep an eye on the app.
Finally, you can sway the surge prices in your favor when using the app. If you have it open when you’re in a busy area, the app will register you as a passenger looking for a ride rather than a driver looking to offer one.
When you do this, the app is more likely to offer surge pricing. Then, you can sign back into the driver app and swoop in to offer rides.
There you have it. With this guide, you’ll be able to maximize the money you make driving for Uber.
Use the 7 hacks here to make money with Uber when you’re out on the road.
