Do you get along well with people, love to drive, and would like to be your own boss? Becoming an Uber driver-partner is the right job path for you.
Uber first came in the UK in 2012 and has now become the biggest European Uber market, having more than 3.5 million users.
Becoming an Uber driver can be a full-time occupation or a part-time side hustle depending on your preference. The good news is that even if it may seem intimidating, everyone can become an Uber driver by following only a few steps. Here’s what you should know about becoming an Uber driver-partner:
Meet Uber’s requirements
First of all, before you sign up for Uber, you need to make sure that you are eligible to become an Uber driver. There are a few minimum requirements that you must meet in order to be accepted as a driver-partner:
- Must be 21 years old or older
- Must have a valid UK driver’s license
- Have a car that meets Uber’s vehicle requirements
- Have a private hire driver licence
- Own a smartphone or tablet
- Have the necessary driving experience (at least three years of driving experience in London)
Sign up to Uber online
After you make sure that you qualify for becoming an Uber driver, the next step is to sign up for Uber online. Once you register, you will be asked to fill in a form about some of your personal details.
Also, you will be asked to provide information about your private hire licence, your driver’s licence number, and information about your vehicle’s eligibility. Using this data, Uber will be able to verify whether or not you meet the requirements to become a driver-partner.
Once your application is verified by Uber and approved, you will be provided with full access to the app and you can think yourself as an Uber driver.
Get your private hire licence
You won’t be able to get behind the wheel and get your first ride unless you have a private hire licence. It is one of the most essential things that Uber will check about your application. You need to obtain the licence from a council that Uber is licensed by.
In order to obtain your private hire licence, there are a few steps you must follow:
Bring your documents – First and foremost, your personal documents that show you are eligible to become an Uber driver-partner should not be expired.
You will need your passport, driver’s licence, National insurance number, proof of your address, proof of an existing credit card, an approved English language certification, and any additional documents if there have been any changes in your personal data in the last 3 years.
Get a medical check– A medical check is another essential step to obtain a private hire licence. You need to visit your General Practitioner and your optician from whom you will get proof that your medical condition is at optimal levels for you to drive.
Complete a DBS check– Another vital step that will influence whether or not you obtain your private hire licence is having a clean criminal record background. This will show whether or not you might be a risk to the safety of your passengers when you become an Uber driver.
If you need more additional information, you can find a Regional Ignition centre where you can have support sessions with an Uber expert. The expert will offer you more information on what other additional steps or documents you may need to obtain your private hire licence.
Check for Uber’s vehicle requirements
Once you have obtained all necessary documents to become an Uber driver-partner, you need to make sure that your vehicle meets the requirements too. For safety and customer experience concerns, Uber has certain requirements that all vehicles used by the company’s drivers must meet.
Model year 2008 or older – The company places huge importance on providing passengers with comfort and safety. So, no models that are older than 2008 in London or older than 2006 across the UK will be considered eligible. Older models are not as reliable as new ones and are more likely to get broken than newer models.
Plus, new models have all been designed with various safety features to reduce road accident risks. Moreover, in terms of comfort, new vehicle models come with many entertainment features that can enhance the customer experience for passengers during the ride.
4-door cars or minivans – Having a 4-door car is very important for easier access to your passengers inside your vehicle. A 2-door car will be very uncomfortable both for your passengers and for you.
Good aesthetic of the vehicle – Uber has a very good reputation among customers for providing passengers with quality services and vehicles. So, cars with visible damages will not be considered eligible.
No commercial branding – Your vehicle should not have any commercial branding materials on it such as promotional stickers.
Uber’s list of vehicle requirements in the UK
Get vehicle insurance
The ordinary car insurance you already have for your vehicle will simply won’t do if you want to become an Uber driver-partner. Once you become an Uber driver, you will be carrying fare-paying customers, so you need the appropriate private hire insurance.
Vehicle insurance is essential because it provides Uber drivers with peace of mind that they are covered in case an accident happens. You can compare uber taxi insurance costs and benefits and choose the most advantageous one for you.
Also, keep in mind that having valid private hire insurance for your vehicle is one of the Uber’s requirements before accepting you as a partner driver.
Becoming an Uber driver-partner is a great way to earn an extra income or even as the main income. It gives you schedule flexibility, the chance to meet new people, and you are your own boss at all times. If you follow these key processes and steps involved in becoming an Uber driver, you can get behind the wheel and get your first ride.