Uber Driver Requirements..

Us Ubers get asked a LOT of the same questions.. we are the new rockstars after all..  By far and away the most common question we get asked is “How long have you been driving for?”..

I, myself, have been driving for about a year since Nov ’14..  Back then I didn’t tell anyone I was an Uber driver and kept that card close to my chest.  I only announced it to my Facebook world a few months ago.  The possibility of receiving a fine from being pulled over by a TMR officer was very real back when I started.  I didn’t pick up anyone in the city (Brisbane) at all for about the first month I started driving.  I was picking up and dropping folks off in taxi ranks back then as well.. I’m chuckling at that right now.

One other question we get asked often is what are the requirements to drive Uber.. for QLD? they’re relatively simple..

a) you require a 4 door car with seating for 4 passengers.. you can have more seats but Uber will only insure you for 4 passengers.. If you have a commercial vehicle with commercial insurance then you’re already insured for your vehicle’s seating capacity.  You tradies.. before you ask, yes, there are some people using nice dual-cab utes

b) a vehicle less than 9 years old.  As of the date of this blog post that means a 2006 or newer car.  The early days of Uber in QLD you could have a car over 9 years old until the rego year’s end.. I believe that still is the case.

c) an open driver’s license held for one year.  Self explanatory.  No novice drivers..

d) a Driver’s Authorisation.. 2 parts to this – TMR have these forms or the Uber offices have these as well.. a doctor’s medical certificate and a traffic history component.  If you can’t remember your traffic infringement history TMR will help you with that.. check uberqld.info for medical facilities that do a discount doctor’s certificate for Ubers.

e) Uber will do a criminal history check as well.. so if you don’t think you will pass that.. well, you’re stuck up the proverbial creek without.. y’know..

f) that’s pretty much it.. apart from maybe a friendly disposition.. oh, and comprehensive insurance.

Once upon a time you could probably use your mum’s car to Uber in but nowadays due to having to register for an ABN it’ll be much better to own a car in your own name for both registration and insurance.. for tax purposes.

I’ve mentioned in another blog post that Uber doesn’t have access to the daily criminal check database that taxis do.. but you’d have to be the world’s dumbest Uber driver to assault someone in an Uber.. apart from the excellent 2-way rating system, Uber also tracks your phone and that of the rider’s.. and also records the trip.  In other words, it’s a safe service..

If you’re not that much into hospitality then Uber probably isn’t for you.. If you are then you’ll have a ball.. here is some feedback that riders have left me anonymously..

Awww shucks..

Trevaaah