Curious if it's worth the effort?

I thought I had read at some point that an average driver makes $12 an hour or something like that.

No experience with Uber or any current driving job, but in college I worked for a while delivering for Domino’s. Initially, it seemed like I was making great money. When the engine driven fuel pump died on the 327 in my El Camino in the middle a shift one night, I was lucky a parts store was open and I had the tools to quickly replace the pump and be back on the road. After thinking it through a bit, I realized that part of that “great money” I was making was turning my car into cash. If one wants to really see what they make, they need to figure in the total operating cost on the use of their car (fuel, maintenance, loss in value due to miles, etc).

My neighbor, a student, used to drive for Lyft. He quit though, because he found that delivering packages for Amazon was more lucrative.

Don't forget to get a quote from your insurance company! 2 years ago I was in an accident (not Uber, Lyft, etc... related) and the insurance company asked me several times if I had anyone else in the car, and if my vehicle was being used to transport people. I think this is turning into a big issue for them. Someone has a car, at some point decides to work for Uber/Lyft and then gets in an accident. Your typical insurance probably does not cover transporting people for money.

My uncle, a retired preacher, does it, and likes it. He enjoys both driving and meeting new people, and only has to work when he wants. I think he mostly does it during the day, maybe even Saturday and Sunday mornings.

I would think the drunks horking in your ride would be less than optimal.

That's why you need those Pet-friendly car seat covers & heavy-duty mats!

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
I would think the drunks horking in your ride would be less than optimal.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
I would think the drunks horking in your ride would be less than optimal.

Don't drive late at night, especially on weekends, for sure.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
I would think the drunks horking in your ride would be less than optimal.

There are so many reasons not to drive for them, but this is a solid #2.

Uber used to charge passengers a flat $250 vomit fee, but it recently modified its service-charge process. Now, the penalties for purging range from $25 to $150. If a passenger makes a noticeable mess, the driver must take multiple photos and email them to Uber, where the company's experts carefully evaluate the damage. Uber then compensates the driver for whatever it estimates a professional cleanup would cost.

I would ask people in your locale, but everyone I've asked averages about $20/hour. In addition, Uber keeps track of your mileage for you as long as the app is open and you are available for rides. So, you get to expense .51/mile while driving, which can knock your taxable income in half, or thereabouts.

EDIT TO ADD: RE Insurance, I was told $20/month to add coverage to your personal policy.

It's not worth the effort. I was a Lyft driver for a year to support myself during the off-months at the school. I'd much rather have been a taxi driver, instead. Passengers can make or break your driving experience and they're often extremely critical. Few people give tips. Driving during peak times and special events can be counter-productive due to the attraction for other drivers to be operating at that same time, cutting into any profit you may hope to garner. I had several interesting passengers and some good drives over the weeks I spent driving, but in the end the money generated from driving wasn't much of a supplement.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
I would think the drunks horking in your ride would be less than optimal.

Don't drive after midnight and you won't have to deal with that issue. This doesn't mean I didn't encounter drunks during my driving--one was even drunk at 5pm. But you ultimately have the final decision on which customer requests to accept and can even refuse service to people after meeting them.

How do Uber drivers NOT have to obtain Commercial drivers licenses? Guys i worked with took part time jobs delivering small packages in their cars. They ended being required to get CDLs, ICC numbers and proof of commercial insurance on their cars. They quit.