[AMA] I'm an Uber Driver in Sydney. Ask me anything

che_97 on 12/01/2016 - 22:15
Last edited 23/01/2016 - 12:04 by 3 other users

I've seen that uber deals get posted a lot here on ozbargain and there seems to be a bit of interest for people driving in their spare time: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/229564

Maybe you have taken an Uber in the past and want to ask a driver something you'd normally be too uncomfortable to ask in person.

Ask me anything.

Edit: I've noticed a lot of people are interested in becoming an Uber driver after reading about the $200 sign up bonus.

Here is how it works: If an existing Uber X driver recommends a new driver, then the existing driver (referrer) gets $200 only (not the new driver).

This payment is made after the new driver has completed 20 jobs (about 1 full day of work)

Mod: Removed referral code. Please do not mention or solicit referral codes anywhere in this post or in comments.

Introduce Yourself

closed Comments

  • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 00:02
    +1

    If you are really thinking of doing it, send me a message and I'll give you my sign up code. We each get $200 for signing you up!
    It sounds like you are in the right situation to do it.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/01/2016 - 00:10
    1. Have you ever being paid in sex
    2. Have you been robbed/burgled before
    3. Anything interesting left in your car
    4. Most expensive trip someone has paid
    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 00:20
      1. Nope. This isn't my thing.
      2. Never ( not even outside of Uber) woo hoo !
      3. My very first passenger was moving a whole bunch of stuff and wanted me to drop her in the city. She asked me to stop somewhere I really shouldn't have and we hustled to get all her stuff out of the car. In the rush she left three pairs of shoes in the front seat of my car. It was pretty funny to explain to my girlfriend why I had women's shoes in my car.
      4. someone hired the car for 3 hours and I received $180 for it. Next best was $80 for a half hour trip on New Year's Eve from Vaucluse to Bondi
    • Shwayne on 14/01/2016 - 14:48
      +5
      1. I don't see that as a payment option in Uber.
  • ShamelessBargains on 13/01/2016 - 00:13

    What was your previous career before uber and how did you decide upon this career?

    I have only caught an uber once and was very impressed by the driver who loved a good chat :)

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 00:23
      +3

      I would say my skill is in marketing. I left my job as I felt it was time for a change and I wasn't really happy doing what I was doing/where I was going (felt a bit like no where). So I left the job on good terms and went on holidays. Upon return I didn't want another full time job so I tried ubering and I'm loving working when I want to.
      I wouldn't call uber a career as there isn't really anywhere you can move up to.
      It is a nice means to an end though as I don't have to dip into my savings to survive :)
      Edit: I also love a bit of good chat as well so I'm enjoying that part of the job !

      • ShamelessBargains on 13/01/2016 - 00:38

        Great to here. Its good to have new life experiences and try new stuff whilst you still can! There's always opportunities and I'm sure uber are always looking into improving their marketing even though word of mouth is the best still.

        I like the idea of being your own boss but it carries so much responsibility and hassle.

        Just a quick question, have you denied many rides and why?

        Good luck with your ubering too :)

        • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 00:42
          +1

          That's a good idea !

          I haven't denied any riders for any reason other than one: I'm getting a request but I want to turn off the app!
          Thanks for the nice feedback

        • ozhunter on 13/01/2016 - 01:04

          Just a quick question, have you denied many rides and why?

          I think you have to accept at least 90% of rides or you get penalized.

      • Thenarrator on 15/01/2016 - 00:12

        how much longer do u play to do Uber andn whats the next step?

        • che_97 on 15/01/2016 - 00:15

          I'll do Uber until i pay off this new car at the very least and i think the next step for me might be to open some kind of business.

        • Thenarrator on 15/01/2016 - 09:18

          @che_97: what kind?

  • shadowarrior on 13/01/2016 - 04:43
    +3

    How are you tackling insurance?
    A normal consumer insurance doesn't cover your car as a hire car. What happens if you meet with an accident and your passenger is injured? Or if you have a prang and your insurance company denies the claim since the car was not used as a 'private personal use vehicle'.

    We keep reading news about Uber drivers getting beaten up/robbed here in SE QLD, plus the not legal part. Hope they make it legal soon.

    • EG1991 on 13/01/2016 - 09:35
      +1

      Good question about the insurance very interested to hear this

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 10:27

      So I have comprehensive insurance. Should I be involved in an accident whilst not with a passenger, I would be covered like anyone else .
      If I was in a accident whilst with a passenger and they were injured and my insurance didn't want to cover it, uber is insurers for $5 million US.
      This is what one of the uber representatives said to me when I went to have my new car inspected yesterday.

      • godofpizza on 13/01/2016 - 12:23
        +2

        I pretty sure your normal insurance will ask if your car is used other than private use. and deny any claim if they can prove that your a uber driver.

        how does uber cover driver for public liability/car accidents?

        • phluffed on 13/01/2016 - 20:26
          +2

          All Uber drivers should check with their insurance company regarding the specifics, but at least NRMA and IAG offer cover for Uber drivers (unsure on the rest).
          If you don't tell them the car is partly used for commercial purposes, then they could deny claims.

          http://thehub.nrma.com.au/drive/uber-now-legal-nsw

        • kimmylala on 14/01/2016 - 21:21

          FYI: Nrma is under IAG

      • zed50 on 14/01/2016 - 00:35
        +1

        Seems like there is an awful lot at stake, not just your 14,000 dollar car to be not 100% sure of insurance coverage. I recommend investigating uber representatives claims thoroughly.

    • Ayanami on 13/01/2016 - 23:51

      I don't know about other states, but in WA, generally anyone injured by the driving of a vehicle is covered by state insurance. Also usually applies to WA registered vehicles driven outside of the state. Now if the driver of the vehicle is using the car beyond the terms of that insurance, then the injured party is still covered, but the state can recover whatever it pays to the injured person from the driver.

      There is an option of "business" use on the state insurance renewals, only costs a little bit more (e.g. maybe $30 for $600 rego + insurance?). Unsure if that covers Uber use or not.

      But in any event we have legislation coming through to legalise and regulate Uber and similar drivers, so I expect that the state insurance legislation will be amended to clear things up a bit.

  • ruddiger8 on 13/01/2016 - 09:21

    Had any run ins with taxi drivers yet? Sorry if that's already been asked.

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 10:24

      None. I don't imagine I will now that it is legal. It would be hard to spot an uber driver unless they are picking up or dropping off.
      Unless there is no one in the front seat, that it kind of a give away

  • sund00bie on 13/01/2016 - 10:10
    +1

    What nationality (not shown on passport) are you ?

    Sadly ive wondered if people would provide a poor rating based on the fact that the driver wasn't an anglo

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 10:23
      +13

      I am Australian on my passport but I do agree there is a lot of discrimination towards non Anglo Saxon drivers. A few passengers have commented on the fact I am white and their displeasure with non white drivers. Irks me a lot. As a passenger I have also heard some comments from other drivers.

  • notbad on 13/01/2016 - 10:23

    What do you have to do/provide for the uber registration
    Also can you register two cars? I would prefer to drive my wife's car - new Corolla than my car but there will be times I won't be able to use my wife's car as she might be out etc but my car still meets the criteria

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 10:34

      Yes to two cars. I currently have my old car and my new one in the app and you can switch as you please. I don't think there is a limit to the number of cars you can drive.

      To sign up you need
      Criminal history check - paid for by uber
      Rms driver history record - you pay for it and uber reimburse you.
      Car inspection - uber do this on site in concord (they also have a few other sites you can get the inspection done but you have to book instead of just turning up in concord)
      Comprehensive insurance with yourself listed as a driver
      Vehicle registration papers
      That's it !

      • ProjectZero on 13/01/2016 - 10:50

        Just to add, I've also been asked to bring passport/birth certificates from the sms you receive from UBER as to where they are holding inspections.

        From what I've seen from the sms, they have inspections Concerd West, Rock dale and Wetherill Park.

        I've signed up, just got to get my car checked and everything and I haven't had time since I got work…

        • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 11:07

          My apologies. You do need your passport !

  • charzy on 13/01/2016 - 10:24

    Does the uber app tell you where to drive? e.g. after you pick up a passenger, does it give you the route to take? or do you need to use your own knowledge/gps?

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 10:30

      So it gives you the pick up address in their app but gives you the option to send the gps coordinates to google maps which I use as the uber maps aren't the best.
      Once with the passenger and the trip has commenced you can enter their address in the app ( and the use google maps if you like)
      Alternatively, the customer can pre-enter the pick up address which isn't revealed to me until the job has commenced (meter on)
      I can then choose which map I use.

      I always ask the customer if they'd like to follow the Gps or if they would like to direct me.

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 10:31
      +5

      Hey Snook, what is your question for me ?

      Also, if you don't have a new car there are many options to lease a car. Uber have a few partners they work with where you can lease a car for about $250-$300 a week (depending on the car)
      So I would disagree that people without means can't do it. It might not be the best option for them but it is an option.

      • tyler.durden on 13/01/2016 - 15:14

        but if u lease it, and your gross earning is $700 average, then you would be make very little.

        maybe $10 per hr.

        You also need to make sure your car is no older than 9 years, so that adds into the cost when your car is no longer valid for uber requirements
        then you would need to buy a new car.

        • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 18:06

          Example. One weekend I worked 3, 5 hour shifts. That's 15 hours and I took in $750. Someone who already had another job and no car now has $350-$450 bucks a week extra (even after fuel and tax)
          Per hour it might not be the Best but can you tell me any other job where the flexibility allows you to work literally whenever you want and fits in with existing work. It might not be for you but there are clearly lots of people for whom it is working.

        • CandyMan on 13/01/2016 - 19:09

          Some leasing agreements allow you to own the car after the contract

        • outlander on 15/01/2016 - 17:36
          +1

          But you also get use of the car, so thats worth something too

  • Schema on 13/01/2016 - 10:36

    What license restrictions is there?

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 10:38

      You need a full Nsw licence held for at least 12 months.
      You can not have ever had your license suspended for any kind of drink driving offence.
      You can not have had more than 4 driving offences in the past 3 years.

      • devinadalovely on 14/01/2016 - 15:52

        Hi there, my license is suspended till January 28th this year for speeding (not more than 10klms each time) and a no right turn. Will that affect my application? Thanks

        • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 17:25

          Hey there any suspensions in the last 3 years are a no go unfortunately

        • devinadalovely on 16/01/2016 - 18:15

          @che_97: Thanks

  • kangaroo on 13/01/2016 - 11:05

    Does Uber has regulation on the age of the vehicle?

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 11:08

      Yeah, the car has to be less than 10 years old

      • Lancerx on 13/01/2016 - 21:01

        What if the car passed 10 years old after you started as uber driver? Say you started when it's 8 years old? Does uber cancel your membership automatically once your car past 10 years old?

        • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 22:13

          They send you a notification informing you that your vehicle is no longer able to be used

    • ProjectZero on 13/01/2016 - 11:08
      +1

      I beleive your car has to be within 5 years old to join UberX

      Did they change it? I thought it was 5yo

      • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 11:13

        In Nsw it is definitely 10 as my old car was at the cut off and that's why I bought I a new one.

        • ProjectZero on 13/01/2016 - 11:13

          Cheers, that means my car still has 7 years of Ubering should I decide to finish off the application.

        • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 11:19

          @ProjectZero: if you haven't finished applying and you are interested see if we can get you recommended by me as we both get a sign of bonus (if you haven't already got one)

        • kangaroo on 13/01/2016 - 11:20

          Thanks, I am out of Uber for now, both my cars are more than 10 years old.

        • ProjectZero on 13/01/2016 - 11:28

          @che_97: I actually got a recommendation from another OzB'er so sorry I cant help you this time.

        • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 12:41

          @ProjectZero: no I'm happy for you ! So long as somebody is getting that $ign up ca$h

        • tyler.durden on 13/01/2016 - 15:15

          what car model and year did u buy and how much did it cost?

        • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 18:08

          @tyler.durden: 2015 Honda Jazz, $14,000

        • tyler.durden on 13/01/2016 - 23:07

          @che_97:

          what's the reason u decided to buy 2015 car and not a slightly older car?
          in case working for uber was not as good as it seems..then you wouldn't have spent so much..

          also why did u get this car and not a sedan?

          Can u get tax deducted?

        • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 23:14

          @tyler.durden: this particular car is a good deal. It had leather seats and very very low kms (17,000)
          So this particular choice was about a good opportunity.

          I could have gotten a much cheaper car as well but I found that a Honda Jazz from 2010 or so was still going for 10k or so. The person I bought my car off had gotten a company car and really wanted this car off his hands so I got a good price and a car with warranty, something very important to me as I'll be putting a lot of Ks into the car and time off the road is money lost for me.

          There is also a very non financial reason: I like the car and wanted a car I could enjoy after I decide to stop ubering.

          As for sedan vs hatchback. I like the look of sedans but they are impractical for inner city living. They have the same length as a station wagon but less room and more often than not, less rear passenger leg room

          The Honda Jazz has the best rear leg room compared to any car of its size (and even many cars much larger) Thanks to the design ( high rear ceiling).
          So far it's been a great car.

        • tyler.durden on 13/01/2016 - 23:37

          @che_97:

          So u bought this car just because u needed it for uber?
          not because u wanted a new car …

          What was your old car model and year?
          did u trade or sold it off? and how much?

        • che_97 on 14/01/2016 - 00:01

          @tyler.durden: old car is a 2006 Toyota Yaris yrx. Amazing car but it will be too old soon to do uber.

          I still have it as my mum uses it when she needs a car.

          I needed a newer car for uber. It didn't need to be this new or this nice but I thought I'd get a car I actually liked so that if I was stuck with the car (uber didn't work out) then I'd still have a car I liked.

      • ruddiger8 on 13/01/2016 - 13:00
        +1

        Its less than 10. My GFs client is a wealthy multi-millionaire who was looking for a hobby as an Uber driver. He had a BMW 7 series which was 250k+ 10 years ago and was refused.

  • User167511 on 13/01/2016 - 11:12

    I heard a lot negative feedback on surge pricing. Up to 8x the normal fare which is a gouge. My question is how much of this goes to Uber and how much to the driver?

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 11:14

      80% of every ride goes to the driver. Customers are well informed of high surges before they can order a car. The 8x surge is very rare and the only time I've seen it is on New Year's Eve.

      • ProjectZero on 13/01/2016 - 11:29

        I've seen it once when I was overseas in HK. They had a surge during peak hour to "get more uber drivers on the road". Does this happen in Aus?

        • theguyrules on 13/01/2016 - 11:52

          Sure does. It got up to 4.4x in Gold Coast for Magic Millions (some horse race) last weekend.

        • ProjectZero on 13/01/2016 - 12:11
          -4

          @theguyrules: Bahahaha, that's just stupid of Uber IMO, surge prices to get more drivers on the road but less users. What's the point of that other then to waste fuel and driver's time…

        • ozhunter on 13/01/2016 - 12:37
          +2

          @ProjectZero:

          So there are more drivers on the road…customers don't have to wait as long. If there are more uber drivers, the surge would be less.

        • ProjectZero on 13/01/2016 - 13:28

          @ozhunter: That's the thing, the surge from what I saw was a time based thing (4pm to 6pm), meaning the price hike is only temporary meaning that during those times, it would mean more drivers but most likely less riders.

        • ozhunter on 13/01/2016 - 14:07

          @ProjectZero:

          I'm pretty sure it's not time based.

        • theguyrules on 13/01/2016 - 14:30
          +1

          @ProjectZero: Surprisingly not. If the surge is increasing (it starts low, like 1.3x) then people are opting to pay it, and hence more drivers are still needed and the surge pricing increases.

          My example of the weekend would have seen a bunch of drunk wealthy people just wanting to get home who must have been agreeing to pay the surge pricing.

        • ProjectZero on 13/01/2016 - 14:48

          @theguyrules: Really? I kind of expected lower volume of riders… I suppose Ozb logic does not apply here lol

        • theguyrules on 13/01/2016 - 15:49

          @ProjectZero: Yeah it didn't make sense to me either, but I was talking to an Uber driver about it after the event and he confirmed people do indeed pay the surge pricing and thus the system seems to work.

        • basilv on 14/01/2016 - 11:42

          @ProjectZero: Its the high number of riders during a certain time that triggers the surge pricing in the first place.

        • serpserpserp on 15/01/2016 - 21:42
          +2

          @ProjectZero: If you think about Sydney, no one can get a cab at 2 or 3am, It can literally take over an hour and plenty of walking to find one. So yeah, if I had to pay a 30% surcharge to save an hour of F'ing around at that time of night I'd pay it!

  • kangaroo on 13/01/2016 - 11:23
    +2

    Few more questions

    1. What is Uber policy on handling luggage, is the driver expected to help?
    2. Do you need to inform your insurance company, indicating the fact the vehicle is now used for ride share?
    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 12:44

      1. I don't know of any official policy but drivers are encouraged to give as good a service as possible. If I see someone with a lot of luggage, I start the meter and help them. They are after all paying me for my service

      2. You should inform your insurer that you are doing this. As far as I know NRMA is the only insurer currently covering uber drivers.

  • saxlady on 13/01/2016 - 11:40
    +1

    What about kids? Taxis are exempt from having to worry about kids in car seats, but I'm assuming that's not the case with Uber? What do you do if you have a request from someone with a baby, or child? Is it just not an option for them to use Uber?

    What if there is a large group of people? You can call a taxi van for them. Would they just have to use 2 x Uber services? (Making the cost more expensive as it's doubled) or are there a few Uber drivers using 6+ seater vans?

    What about wheelchair users or other disabled people? You'd obviously help them in and out but would you be able to fold and put a wheelchair away?

    • Gomo on 13/01/2016 - 13:55

      Thought I'd step in here to answer these for you :)

      Kids Under 7 Years of age need to be restrained correctly, so if that means you supply the capsule for the ride and the driver or yourself assist in installing into the car that's perfectly fine, however any child under 7 without a capsule will mean the driver will have to cancel the fare or risk being fined just as any normal driver would. same law applies to uber drivers (I Personally disagree that taxi's are exempt from this just from a pure safety aspect) (Uber Family when launched in Australia will be there to cater for kids under 7 years)

      Large groups of people will yes require 2 x Uber cars, alternatively you can use a normal maxi taxi services completely upto you. (Uber XL Exists overseas but not in Australia Yet)

      Wheel Chair users are encouraged to use (Uber Assist) that has drivers trained to assist riders that have fold up wheel chairs

      Hope this helps!

      • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 14:22

        Thanks @Gomo. I totally agree. uber drivers are just like any other drivers, they need to adhere to all laws. I don't think taxis should be exempt. Unfortunate this means that the service may not be suitable for all types of people.

        As for carrying more than 4 passengers , currently uber does not offer this service in Australia . If this is something you need you'll need two uber accounts as isn't possible to order two cars on one account at the same time.

        I didn't know about Uber assist. Do you know how we could go about getting certified ?

        • Gomo on 13/01/2016 - 14:41
          +1

          Yep! Just drop into your nearby Uber office for clarification on this, at current I'm pretty sure riders need to enter promo code "ASSISTAU" to be able to book these cars on the platform

          More info for others here http://www.uberqld.info/uberassist/

  • November14 on 13/01/2016 - 14:08

    Do you have a preference as to where 1 passenger should sit? I always sit at the back but now that I'm reading this thread.. Should I have sit in front??

    Also, do you mind if a passenger bring his pet in a carrier?

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 14:25

      I prefer if people sit in the front but this is just a personal preference and I don't think differently of anyone based on where they sit. Usually those who sit in the front are a little more keen to chat which is why I like it.

      As for pets I don't mind so long as the car is clean when they get out. I've had a few assistance dogs and the passengers have brought blankets.
      Pets however are not required to be taken as it up to the discretion of the driver. I think guide dogs are exempt from this.

  • gimli on 13/01/2016 - 14:19

    Has any passenger made extremely stinky farts while you were driving?

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 14:26

      Maybe but not stinky enough to notice !

  • inherentchoice on 13/01/2016 - 14:21

    Do you play music when you have a passenger?

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 14:26
      +1

      I usually just have the radio on (Triple J) and this seems to please most people. If they want to change it they are most welcome to.

  • WT on 13/01/2016 - 15:10
    +1

    Do you allow smoking or vaping in your car?

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 17:57

      No I do not.

  • Keeegs on 13/01/2016 - 15:26

    Are there any benefits of being an Uber driver? Like cheaper rates when you hail an Uber yourself?

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 17:56

      None at the moment but it would be great if drivers got one commission-less fare for every X many rides they did

  • 00 on 13/01/2016 - 17:00

    Doesn't Google own a significant portion of Uber?
    With their investment in driver-less cars do you see Ubers drivers a short-medium term occupation?

    • ozhunter on 13/01/2016 - 17:02
      +1

      For driverless cars to be everywhere is going to take a while.

      • 00 on 13/01/2016 - 17:37
        +1

        For mobile phones to be everywhere is going to take a while.

        For personal computers to be everywhere is going to take a while.

        • Htu08 on 13/01/2016 - 18:51

          Driver-less cars are going to actually take a while due to the ethical/moral hazards that arise from them…

          Basically, how do you choose who to injure/kill in an unavoidable car accident?
          Car Occupants? Pedestrians? Other car?
          Does the number of lives in each group influence the decision? etc etc

          So until these conditions can be met, I don't really see unmanned cars becoming a thing.

        • t_c on 13/01/2016 - 20:36

          @Htu08:

          maybe they will first roll them out as low speed transport in CBD areas.

        • Htu08 on 13/01/2016 - 20:57

          @t_c:
          Yah, but accidents are generally just unavoidable imo.
          When there are unknown factors, its always a recipe for disaster.
          Weather, other drivers on the road, etc etc, all of these impacts can cause accidents and then it becomes an ethical question of….

          who do we injure?

        • 00 on 13/01/2016 - 21:14

          @Htu08:

          Read up online about googles self driving car accidents. Many accidents but all were caused by he human driver.

        • hayne on 14/01/2016 - 00:45
          +4

          @tommyc

          For mobile phones to be everywhere is going to take a while.

          For personal computers to be everywhere is going to take a while.

          Actually, while you were trying to be facetious, you actually end up reinforcing ozhunter's point.

          The mobile phone was invented in 1973. It wasn't "everywhere" until the late 1990s or early 2000s. Computers existed as early as the 19th century but the first modern "desktop" computers were sold in the 1960s and didn't really become mainstream until the 1980s. Kodak invented the digital camera in 1975 and it wasn't mainstream until the 2000s.

          The pace of technological change is quickening so driverless cars probably won't take that long to hit the market but yeah, it will still take a bit of time before Uber drivers are replaced.

        • 00 on 14/01/2016 - 09:24

          @hayne:

          First fully autonomous self driving cars appeared in 1980's

          https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_autonomous_car

          The mobile phones of the late 70's and 80's were very heavy large and impractical backpack style devices.

        • [Deactivated] on 23/02/2016 - 21:10

          @Htu08: They're already a thing. They don't need to choose they just need to behave predictably. People can't make those choices either. They don't need to be perfect they just need to be better than people, and this is not all that far away.

          It will be a while before they have unanimous public support, but that's another thing altogether.

          What is unblocking them is that manufacturers are willing to take responsibility as 'the driver' for the actions of their software. So there will be someone to blame/sue when the inevitably kill more than 0 people but still less than human driven cars.

    • che_97 on 13/01/2016 - 17:58
      +1

      As I understand it, Google have invested in Uber but are not controlling stakeholders.
      I think driver-less cars replacing uber drivers is a way away. Far enough so that I'll be long done doing this before it affects me

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