How to become an Uber driver: tips for extra income

Everyone wants to earn some extra money to help make ends meet, right? That's the reality for a large part of the Brazilian population today. And to help you get that extra income and end the month in the black, there's no shortage of options: And one of them is being an Uber driver.

What is Uber?

Considering the company's long history in Brazil and the popularity of its service, it's difficult to find someone who doesn't know Uber. Present in the lives of Brazilians since 2014, Uber is a private transportation app-based company.

Initially arriving in capital cities and large urban centers, the proposal to offer greater ease and convenience – at a very attractive price – for users when getting around led to Uber's popularization, allowing the service to quickly reach thousands of Brazilian cities.

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How does it work?

The user opens the app and enters the address where they want to go.

The app starts searching for nearby drivers who can take the ride.

When connecting with the driver, the user has access to the name, license plate, and model of the car the selected driver is driving, and can also track the route in real time through the app.

After the driver meets the user at the indicated location, the ride to the final destination begins.

After disembarking, the driver and passenger rate each other on the app using a scale of 1 to 5 stars.

Although the app offers the option to pay in cash, the vast majority of rides are paid for directly through the app, ensuring greater security for both the user and the driver.

IMPORTANT: Ratings are extremely important for a driver's work routine. Ideally, the average rating should always be kept high. Drivers with good ratings tend to be recommended for better/more profitable rides, while drivers with an average below 4.6 may be suspended – or even banned – from the app.

The same can happen with passengers who have received poor ratings from multiple drivers.

What are the Uber categories?

Nowadays, the services offered by Uber are divided into several subcategories. This makes it easier to choose and helps to better meet user demand. The main categories are:

UberX: Trips with more affordable prices, ideal for everyday use.
Uber Pool/Together: Shared rides for users with similar destinations.
Uber Comfort: Travel in newer cars, offering a premium experience for the passenger.
Uber Flash: Ideal for those who need to send personal items without leaving home.

What are the requirements to register?

Prioritizing the safety of those using the service, certain documents are required for driver registration, such as:

CNH (National Driver's License with the annotation EAR (Performs Remunerated Activity),
Background Check Certificate – State Secretariat
Vehicle Registration and Licensing Certificate (CRLV)

After your documentation is approved, the team will contact you. Then, you'll be free to start driving and earning extra money.

To better understand the procedure, access the website from Uber.

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What are the advantages of being an Uber driver?

Define your own schedule and work routine.

One of the great attractions of this category is freedom. Unlike a conventional job – with a boss and fixed hours – the Uber driver is responsible for their own schedule, being able to start and end their workday whenever they see fit!

Earn money anytime, anywhere.

The freedom to define your work schedule also allows you to work wherever and whenever you want. For example, when making a trip from Osasco/SP to São Paulo, the driver can choose to spend the day making trips in the São Paulo capital – where the flow of passengers never stops – and return home whenever they see fit.

How much can I earn?

This is a factor that can vary considerably. The workload and the size of the city where you work are two important factors in the final result. A driver who works 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday in a large urban center (such as São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro) tends to earn more money.

According to Uber, drivers earn an average of R$ 20.00 per hour worked, and payment is usually made weekly.

Since a large portion of Uber drivers complete rides in their spare time as a way to earn extra income, this amount makes a difference in their budget at the end of the month.

A very important tip for those who want to start driving for rides in their spare time is to pay attention to peak hours, when the demand for ride-sharing drivers is higher. Take a look:

Monday to Thursday: From 7am to 9am, 12pm to 1pm, and 5pm to 7pm.
Friday: From 7am to 9am, 12pm to 1pm, and from 5pm onwards.
Saturday: From 12 PM to 1 PM and from 5 PM onwards.
Sunday: All day long. Give preference to the morning and evening periods.

Another tactic often used by drivers is to always stay close to central areas, commercial areas (such as shopping malls and shopping centers), and shows/events in their city, since the flow of passengers tends to be higher in these locations.

Is it really worth being a rideshare driver?

It's not uncommon to find drivers who started working with Uber in their spare time to earn a second income, and after a while, realized that their earnings as a rideshare driver are higher than their main income. This can be a very interesting path for those who have free time and want to make some extra cash!