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Can Uber drivers put advertising in their cars? What about rooftop ads like taxi do?
Can Uber drivers put advertising in their cars? What about rooftop ads like ...
Posted 6 years, 6 months ago
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The Guru Take
Yes from Uber (with caveats). Potentially no from local laws. Depends for smaller rideshare companies.
Let's start with the inside of your car. At the time of this writing, Uber or Lyft does not have rules on whether you can advertise inside your cars. You can have stickers, flyers, pamphlets, one of those electronic ad units, etc. While taxis often have ads managed by fleet owners, most rideshare companies cannot enforce this as they do not own your vehicle and you are an independent contractor.
Uber loves the current arrangement of having drivers as contractors for various reasons, but this is being disputed in states like California. If thiis arrangement changes, the advertising rules may also change.
Now with smaller rideshare companies, they may actually own their fleet and the drivers could be employees. In those cases, the company would likely have the power to dictate what is being advertised on your car or not.
With the rooftop ads? Similar rules and concepts apply as above. Since it's your own car, you can advertise on your car as long as you are following local laws. I would check with your DMV or even police station or city hall. Many states and cities do regulate mobile advertisements and what appears on your car.
UPDATE: Uber has now included a clause in the vehicle requirements that you are not allowed to have "commercial branding" on the outside of the vehicle. This can be taken in different contexts, so you may not want to contact Uber to double check. Relevant article here: https://ride.guru/lounge/p/if-my-vehicle-is-wrapped-in-an-advertisement-can-i-still-use-this-car-for-uber-x
Lastly, the article below isn't specific to Uber and rideshares, but it definitely applies. It also talks about how you may have to register your car as a commercial auto and how you may not be able to park everywhere. Take a look.
http://blogs.findlaw.com/free_enterprise/2012/05/think-twice-before-advertising-on-your-car.html
ippei
1202
Uber Driver, CEO of TaxiFareFinder and Unleashed, LLC
Comments
Don't Uber drivers sell stuff in their cars? Like battery packs, car chargers, food and drinks? I haven't run into them, but that's like advertising. wait, not it isn't. That's retail. I assume there aren't rules on that?
No, there does not seem to be rules against this either (at least from Uber and Lyft's perspective. However, this may definitely get snagged by some local rules. You would need a commercial license, seller's permit to operate in certain locations, etc. It's the whole reason you can't just open up a shop on a sidewalk or have a food truck. Here's a great link:
https://ride.guru/lounge/p/can-uber-drivers-put-advertising-in-the-cabin-what-about-rooftop-ads-like#guru-answers
That would be the coolest rideshare car ever. I think people would gobble it up.
I currently have a Firefly digital Billboard installed on my Prius, after 2 weeks this is what i know. My radio reception is shot, i cant go to my regular car wash, now i have to go to a hand wash which is double the price, i was supposed to get $150 only got $121.88,for 2 weeks, they wont send me a copy of my contracts, But the worst thing about it is my Gas mileage has plummeted. Its coming off today
I am in Pittsburgh PA - local laws do not forbid outside or inside advertising. However, both Lyft and Uber forbid magnetics, rooftop ads on the outside of the vehicles while they are being used for rideshare. I have my company magnetics on when I am not driving for rideshare as I do not want to get fined or deactivated.
Are the ads allowed on the external of the vehicle? Uber doesn't have rules around that, right?
Then again, they souldn't have access to other sd
Both Lyft and Uber have rules about sinage advertising anything on cars that are used on their platform. I have magnetic signs that I must remove before driving. I forgot once and got reported by the Pittsburgh International Airport Police and that was for a drop off and NOT a pick up. I got banned from the air port for 2 weeks and got an email and a text that I was in violation of the platform policy.
Wow! They are that strict about this? I heard about the crack down at various airports but I thought that was more to do with pickup locations and not displaying the proper logos.
wait, so the answer is yes? I really didn't expect this to be allowed.
I am super surprised to not have seen ads inside the car like I do on a NY taxi.
maybe Jehovah's witness pamphlets.
Yes Uber and Lyft can sell within their cars - there are local rules to obey about this. A way around it is to have cargo sales: that company provides the "box" and a way to order and pay through the web. The box is free to the driver and he/she gets a commission. Some stuff in box is free and some things cost money. Cargo sales covers most of the local rules about permits as it is online ordering. Check it out to see if they are in your city. https://therideshareguy.com/?s=cargo+sales
What are free items?
how much is a snicker bars?
My biggest question, of course, is whether I can make more money stocking the items myself and NOT paying commissions.
Check out Cargo. You do NOT pay for anything! You do not have to hassle with shopping, finding a container, collecting money. You put the stocked box in your car, riders order through its own app and pay for it within its own app. You get a check of commission, just for having the box in your car and handing out the purchases. You are not handling money - so you do not have any extra cash on you to encourage robbers. You do not buy the box or its contents, Cargo replenishes it as needed. Check out Cargo and see what their program is! Cargo is not in Pgh, but since I registered with them, I will be one of the first to get a box. I can hardly wait.
I just started using Cargo in my Uber Lyft car to make some extra money on the side.
So far so good! $49 in commissions in 2 weeks for giving away free Skittles 😁
If your thinking about Cargo and want to sign up, do it! ... It's totally worth it. The extra $100 month will cover my Gas costs! The LINK to SIGN UP is:
https://app.getcargo.today/referred_by/ROBERT215
Rob😁
Not to mention ads inside the cabin would look pretty tacky. Is it really worth it? I mean how much money can you make?!
hey guys, as of feb this year there was a lawsuite against the city of new york to allow ride sharing companies to display ads in.outside their vehicles.
Thanks
Souhail Alavi
EnrouteViewMedia.com co-founder
Can you tell me more about this. I have some ads inside the car.