Hey, I am thinking of signing up as a driver for Uber in Melbourne. I have read about new driver sign on bonuses. Can someone tell me more about the bonuses or anything else I should consider before I sign on. Thanks.
Uber Tips for New Driver
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Interesting read. What do you estimate your hourly rate was after costs?
On an average night, in the hand maybe $15 an hour. That doesnt take into account car depreciation. Mind you that was driving around 9-1 on a friday saturday night in Western Sydney, Im sure more is to be made closer to the city and in surge areas. I couldnt imagine doing this as a full time gig.
Thanks cyber67 … some interesting insights into the real world of Uber …
Does Uber take a cut of the inbuilt tip system?
I never use that, I always give a tip in cash
When I drove tipping was 100% against the rules, you couldn't ask or take one. So I cant comment sorry
Question still is, does Uber take a cut of the inbuilt tip system?
Ok, you said you drove, so I would of thought you would know if Uber took a cut of the tipping option that is inbuilt into the system as well.
I remember when I first got uber I checked the settings and it was set to a default of 10% tip with out options available.
I'd assume a lot of new users would of been tipping 10% inadvertently
Don't do it. Uber are ripping their drivers off.
Are there any advantages If you have a people mover that can carry 7 passengers?
Absolutely none, you can't request an uber for 6 people so no one will be expecting it. If anything that would be a massive downside due to the inherently higher fuel costs.
In Brisbane we have an option to request "UberXL" which costs about an extra 50% for a vehicle with 7 or more seats. You don't have that in Melbourne?
You need someone to refer you and they get the bonus I believe, or at least it was when I signed up.
Tips for new driver:
- get all your accounting out of the way first, you need to get an ABN, register for GST etc, sort all that out before starting. Along with a method of retaining all receipts and expenses to claim on your tax.
- Purchase some medical grade vomit bags to distribute around the car, yes uber pays for the cleaning if it does happen but it just means you will be unable to drive until its cleaner properly and its just not nice.
- Chase surges, that is where the money is at. On new years, see where all the 5x-8x times surges are, go offline, drive into the middle of it and go back online. Chances are you will never actually get to the surge zone before finding a ride on busy nights and end up driving for peanuts.
- Accept that you will be placed into bad situation, first night driving I was doing 110 when the bloke in the back started punching me in the back of the head for no reason. This was a 1 in a 100 situation but it does happen.
- Accept that people are idiots, so many times I've had people enter the wrong pickup location or got the pickup and destination around the wrong way. This can end up making 1 hours worth of driving for a $10 ride, extreme frustrating.
- Don't over service customers, offering lollies and bottles of water. Just eats into your profits and sets an unrealistic expectation for the rest of the drivers.
- Be prepared for people to ask you about what its like driving for Uber almost every single passenger.
- If there is events on, know what the best detours are to get locations. Example is last year people wanted to be dropped off at the fireworks spots, but they block off those roads to taxi's and people that live there. So I had to drop them off like 3-4km away and they punished me with the ratings for something I had no control over.
- Factor in getting home, unless you live in a hotspot you will never be lucky enough to get a ride that is near your house when you want it. I live western sydney, I would do some jobs in my local area and I say 1 more ride for the night then home to bed, next ride is all the way into the city … FML …. 2.5 hours later I get home.
I gave it away because the money wasn't good enough and I lost my confidence feeling safe after a string of drunken incidence. They take their cut, then you gotta pay for fuel, wear and tare, depreciation on the car, tax and then you get a slice and wasnt worth it.