If you ever tried to hail a cab you know it can be a real pain in the but depending on the time of day or where you live. Uber changed this forever with their service and app. Chances are you know this first hand and have been trying to decide if it's something you can make money with. Well, we've scoured the Uber Driver Reviews and we've compiled our finding below.
So if you are considering driving for Uber, you might want to read some of the shocking complaints against Uber in my review below. You've been warned.
What is Uber?
Uber Technologies Inc is a company that develops, operates and markets the car transportation and food delivery mobile App Uber. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Uber was founded in March 2009 by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp. Uber operates in over 633 cities globally.
How Does Being An Uber Driver Work?
You need a smartphone and a car to get started. When you are ready to start working, you will receive a drive request through the app. The request has information about the customer's pickup and drop-off point, distance and directions. Once you make a drop-off, the app will give you another nearby request. You can sign off at any time if you want to go off-grid.
What are the Uber Driver Requirements?
There are a few requirements you have to fulfill, most of which are that of a normal cab driver. The requirements vary depending on city and country. However, these are the standard ones.
- A smartphone
- At least 21 years of age
- A valid driver's license
- Police background checks
- A car, or the ability to lease one (2007 model and up)
- Complete a Safety Screening Test
- Complete a certification session
You will then submit copies of proof of ownership or lease of the vehicle you will be using. The application can be done online. Once this is done, you are ready to download the app and start earning. The requirements, of course, vary from city to city.
If you are looking for a more convenient part time earning opportunity with only a few requirements, check out My Top Work At Home Recommendation, Swagbucks.com or Fusioncash.com.
How Much Does An Uber Driver make?
The simplest, most accurate answer would be it depends on you, your city and market demographics. However, we can move closer to an actual value by breaking down some factors.
How are Uber fares calculated?
The fare charged to a rider at the end of every trip is based on the distance and time of the ride. There's another factor called Surge that will determine how much you make per ride.
What is Surge?
Surge helps drivers earn more during peak hours and the time when demand is high. It also helps customers get rides faster and more reliably. Surge prices are scaled higher to match market demographics including time of the day, the weather and other factors that affect car transportation.
In a real sense, you can make as low as $5/hour on a sunny summer Sunday afternoon and up to $50/hour during a winter Saturday snowstorm. If you don't like that unknown you may want to check out My Top Work At Home Recommendation.
How Do Uber Drivers Get Paid?
You can choose to get paid on a weekly basis through direct bank deposit or use the instant payout to send the money to your debit card. All in all, Uber takes up to 30% of the amount depending on some factors including discounts, rewards and rebates.
What you would like about being an Uber Driver
Commercial Insurance Policy
In case of an incident, you are covered. From the time you accept making a trip to the time you do a drop off, your policy covers the following $1 million policies
- A commercial insurance policy
- Third party liability insurance
- Cover for uninsured or underinsured motorist injury
If you choose to stick to your own personal policy, Uber will cover damages to your vehicle up to the present value of the vehicle, $1000 being deductible for any reason. You can take a look at Uber's Insurance Policy here.
Uber Rewards Program
You get discounts at the pump, loans and pre-negotiated insurance deals.
Driver Protection
Uber engages law enforcement and community-based driver safety programs example the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) program to enhance driver safety.
Work when you want
You get to choose when to work as a cab driver. You can also choose to work part time. There are no limitations as to when you can work.
Becoming a driver is easy
Compared to the legal and bureaucratic hurdles you have to skip to become a regular cab driver in some cities, earning with Uber is pretty simple. If you are over 21, have a car and can drive it, and you are a law abiding citizen, you can start earning.
Uber Driver Complaints
So this is the part of the review you've all been waiting for. So far it all sounds good. Sure the guys in Silicon Valley have reinvented the cab-guy experience, but it comes with it flaws that are hard to turn a blind eye on. So let's dive into them before you decide to become a driver for Uber.
You are on your own
Depending on what city you work in, if you the crap hits the fan, you can forget about getting a customer service rep to help you as a driver. Some drivers have complained they can't get in contact with anyone. No bueno!
Too many drivers
It was great when it had just started, when the market was not crowded with drivers. As a result, drivers have complained of their earnings dropping by at least half every year, as supply is catching up with demand.
You have to work overtime to get by
You will have to keep your profile on most of the time to have a decent paycheck by the end of the week. Some drivers also choose to work ”silly-ass hours” like during a hailstorm.
Unclear payment system
Drivers find it hard to keep track of refunds after the cancellation, price adjustments during the day and deductions. Working for Uber is not for the faint-hearted. Always take a look at the customer rating on the app before you choose to accept their ride offer.
Uber's Negative BBB
If you derive any sort of reassurance about a company's credibility from the BBB, you might want to know Uber's is an F at the time of this review.
Hostile market reception
In some cities, the concept of ordering a cab via a smartphone was unwelcomed by the already existing cab companies that relied on the good old wave. We came across reports of Uber drivers getting attacked by local cab guys and some cases bordered on the extreme.
Flawed cancellation system
If a customer happens to cancel a trip, the penalties applying to them do not benefit the driver who might have driven to the pick-up point only for the customer to cancel. If you are an Uber driver, the customer is always right and to hell with your opinion.
Did you know you also get to be your own boss, work whenever you want with no need to burn the midnight candle at Swagbucks.com and Fusioncash.com? You also do not run the risk of a crowded market place if you choose to go with My Best Work At Home Recommendation.
Is Being an Uber Driver Worth It?
Uber is an awesome idea for consumers. But if you're a driver it may not be the best bet when you consider the complaints we listed above. If you decide to become an Uber driver, be prepared to work graveyard because there are far more drivers flooding the market now. So it's hard to make money.
Yes, you get to be your own boss. However, get ready to fill up on snacks at your favorite spot waiting for your phone to ring depending on the city you're in. Or you better be prepared to work ungodly hours to make ends meet. Again, this will all depend on the city you're in. But it definitely seems to be a lot more crowded nowadays.
Look, if you don't have to fend off competition to earn, you may want to check out Swagbucks.com and Fusioncash.com. You can also check out My Top Work At Home Recommendation for another option at being the boss without leaving the comfort of your home. You have other options, either way that doesn't require you to leave your home.
Hopefully now you have a better insight as to what you might expect driving for Uber. I would love to hear your thoughts or experience. So feel free to chime in down below in the comments section.
Until next time, stay buckled up!
Eddy with a Y
Very thought provoking. It has crossed my mind a couple of times however I am not sure its worth it simply due to that sometimes dangerous characters you are putting in your car. Most people who are accepted into Uber are good people, but absolutely anyone with a phone can request one, leaving the driver on the more unsafe side of things. Thanks for the read!
I agree the idea of picking up strangers is unsettling to me as well. But fortunately there are some people that are brave enough to do these jobs. Otherwise none of us would be able to get a cab. lol
I’ve often wondered about the fees/cost of running an Uber cab – thanks for the run down on all the other details that aren’t immediately obvious, like the cancellation fees not benefiting the drivers.
Also, the need for a modern car makes it a no for me too, vintage all the way! ha
LOL, I’m glad I could fill in the gaps for you.
Hi, Eddy! Looking at Uber as you did in your excellent review there appears to be the fact that contractors who are hired to chauffeur people make very little money. It all would be heavily dependent on exactly what time of they they would be willing to actually work.
I once hired an Uber driver to take me to a nearby airport. I clearly remember on the ride over, this woman stated that she makes most of her money early in the day, (before 8am) as many other people contracted to work for Uber are simply too lazy to work those hours. After the mid-morning hours, there is just too much competition among the contractors trying to obtain work at the same time. And as also is apparent, not enough riders available to provide everyone contracted with Uber with opportunities to make money.
I also gave her a tip, (I remember she was shocked) which, as I found out later, a person actually should not do this. Uber discourages the practice of giving tips to its drivers. So, these contractors just earn a set figure per ride/per hour and that’s all. I guess being a taxi driver still has its advantages as for the most part they do get tipped for the services that they provide.
I also don’t know if you’re aware that Uber has been in the news lately, all negative. Seems as if the former CEO and co-founder, (who later resigned) and other high-ranking management personnel were found guilty of sexual harassment charges that had been leveled against them for several years by women employees a the same upper management level. In today’s age, that amounts to a very bad mark against a company. No wonder, perhaps although probably unrelated, that the BBB gave Uber a failing grade.
The additional things that you mentioned, Uber drivers getting attacked by passengers in some locales, the low pay rate they receive, the fact that a contractor, (up until recently) had to use his/her own car which would involve wear and tear plus maintenance fees paid out of pocket’ all add up to this job being not so ideal if one thinks about it.
Uber appears no longer to be the shiny, new object that many people initially thought that the company was shortly after it was created. Then, thought to be an alternative as opposed to a person getting in an old, yellow cab, Uber was hailed as the next greatest thing. Now in the public eye, not so much!
Jeff
Hey Jeff,
Thanks for chiming in with an insightful comment as usual. Yes, I’m aware of all the stuff going on with their leadership and other issues. The company is definitely going through some growing pains and it should be interesting to see how they course correct. If not, there are a lot of other companies that are offering similar services that can improve where Uber is lacking.
Interesting review on Uber…or more specifically on being an Uber driver. Not something I have ever been interested in doing but it seems like some people are making alot of money with it. Personally, I’ve only used Uber a few times….and that’s been with my adult kids. I wouldn’t know how to get an Uber on my own LOL but all the kids seem to know how. I always wonder about women using Uber alone though….makes me edgy about the safety issue.
Yeah, I can totally appreciate the safety issue regardless if you’re a woman or not. I’m a guy and I would still feel uncomfortable picking up strangers in my car. So for that reason alone, I would never consider this. The other complaints just give me more reasons to stay away.
I am happy that you have revealed the weakness points of this business. I nearly embarked on recommending it to one of my relatives. I hadn’t done such a research. I am now going do more research. I am also interested know how you have reviewed Swagbucks or Fusioncash but the links are not sending me there. Anyway I will try to follow later if you have also the reviews for these programs.
I’m glad it helped. Swagbucks and fusioncash are only available in certain countries. So if you can’t access the links, it’s not available for you.
Hi Eddy,
Thank you for taking the time to perform and write such a thorough review. I have, at one time or another, considered being a driver but wondered about exactly the things you are highlighting here. I was also worried about my safety. Thank you, too, for including your other make money from home opportunities. I think I like these better. 🙂
You’re very welcome. I’m glad you found this useful.
Uber definitely does have it’s perks but, like everything else, comes with certain downfalls.
I’ve never considered it as a work option but it has made my life so much easier on many occasions.
I also think that it’s far more effective in countries with a high crime rate and just grabbing a cab off the street isn’t deemed as being very safe.
I have to disagree with your last statement. It’s proven to be effective in areas without high crime rates as well.
Yes, indeed in the beginning Uber was a great alternative to working a 9 to 5 desk job and having control of your own income and schedule. However, it is now swamped with drivers and Uber’s own social scandals has hurt its reputation. Now, companies with a similar concept to Uber are sprouting up all over the place and doing what right what Uber has been doing wrong. Eventually, that next big idea or business is going to get overcrowded; just as Uber did. Proceed with caution, and know, like you stated that the only time you will likely be able to work will be in the evening, and even that is becoming more scarce.
Thanks for sharing your insight Wendi. I guess we’re on the same page about Uber.