You’ve read about it, you’ve heard it from your friends: being an Uber driver brings in the extra income and offers you flexibility. But can you do it without owning a car?
The good news is that you don’t need to own a car to become an Uber driver. In fact, many rideshare drivers in the UK prefer to use a rental one with companies such as Splend. It all comes down to your needs and wishes: if you prefer short-term commitment, flexibility and less hassle, renting might be just the perfect option.
The first step is easy: head over to the Uber website and sign up to drive. As you might already know, Uber doesn’t actually have a fleet of cars you could choose from. Instead, they have partnered with different car providers across the country.
While waiting for approval, Uber will give you access to a list of these rental partners and deals. It’s important to know that all rented cars need to be ‘part of an approved partnership for drivers’ in order to be used on their platform. Using an unapproved car might get you deactivated permanently.
Flexibility
Driving for Uber is almost synonymous with flexibility, as you can choose your working days and hours to suit your lifestyle. It’s the perfect solution to save up some money, pay expenses, or if you’re in between jobs. However, no one can tell you exactly how much you’ll earn with Uber.
Renting gives you the flexibility to drive around for a couple of weeks and get an idea of your earnings before you commit to buying a car. In comparison to traditional leasing plans which are usually spread across 3-4 years, renting comes with minimum commitment. If you decide that driving for Uber doesn’t suit you, most companies will allow you to easily return the car.
Costs
Registration, maintenance, insurance and many other fees can add up when owning a car. With renting, some of these extra costs might be covered by the car provider. The costs for PCO car hire depend on one rental provider to another, but a lot of them come with insurance and maintenance included. A PCO licence is an essential document that allows you to drive for Uber or other rideshare apps in London
Moreover, choosing a company that asks for a fixed weekly fee will make it easier for you to keep track of your earnings and payments. One thing to consider is that no matter how many hours you drive in a week, you’ll have to pay the same fee. In order to make it worth it, you’ll probably need to drive a certain amount of hours every week.
Paperwork
All the paperwork and legislation can be frustrating for someone who’s just starting out in the rideshare industry. By signing up with a rental company that has previously worked with Uber drivers, you’ll be able to take advantage of their knowledge and advice. In fact, there are specialised rental companies that will help out with any paperwork and Uber related questions. Think about the services you need, and choose a company that offers you the best experience.
Planning makes perfect – that applies to Uber driving too. Our best advice is to think about your needs and plan around them. Once you’ve found the perfect car and a system that works for you, all you need to do is maximise your earnings. And have fun driving.
