RIDEGURU
Can we start a chain of advice you would give a first time driver?
Beginner Advice for a Driver
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Posted In
Ask a Driver
Do you have questions for your Uber anad Lyft drivers? What about tips and suggestions? Whether you are a driver or a rider, share your comments here and get responses from real rideshare drivers.
Posted By
jeremyalastor
61
Ride Apprentice
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Comments
1) If you haven't done so already take a ride as a passenger. Multiple times. You will learn a lot.
2) Don't chase the surge. If the red surge happens near or where you currently are, stay and enjoy, but if it's far away, don't chase it. Surges changes fast and the last thing you want to do is to drive far and waste gas.
3) Take breaks. At set times. Us drivers generally have very long shifts. 10+ hours easily. You have to be alert. Your job is driving. It's not worth it to risk yourself, your car, and passenger. One accident can come back to bite you HARD.
4) Track all expenses. Carry around a notebook, or download one of those expense software that can track rideshare expenses, including mileage. you will need to deduct all of these things. definitely keep all your receipts, especially those related to vehicles, say car repairs and maintenance.
5) Get used to finding emergency locations and bathroom break locations.
6) Get proper equipment, like phone chargers, phone holder, barf bag for passengers, etc.
Make sure you have a car that gets good gas mileage.
Pay attention to accelerators and weekly bonuses. e.g. 50 rides this week and you get xxxx.
Do sign up for multiple services like Lyft and Uber, but stick with one, so you can reach those goals. Loyalty does pay off. Only pull up the other app when it's slow on the other. In certain markets, it's hard to make profits without shooting for these "loyalty" bonuses.
Perhaps this might be intermediate, but there are bunch of driver-help apps out there like Ryder, FairPilot, Mystro, Sherpashare, Hurdlr, etc. They are apps made specifically for rideshare drivers.
Some of them can track miles, some of them give you suggestions as to where customers are, etc.
I prefer Maxymo over Mystro, it is way cheaper as well, switches faster and doesn't seem to glitch as often. It is also more flexible and I can change my filters without going offline first.
Carry a bottle of LIQUID ASS
Know the area you are driving in. Don't just blindly try to driver for Uber with your eyes glued to the GPS.
try to get the best sign on bonus you can. You only get to sign up once.
Just to see what Uber has to say about your first trip, I looked it up.
https://www.uber.com/drive/resources/prepare-for-your-first-trip/
There's so thin content there, it's amazing. I guess I shouldn't be surprised?
Sign up for multiple services like postmates, lyft, uber. Helps to cut down on downtime.
FIND ANOTHER TYPE OF JOB.