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Some rideshare drivers are making $50+ in tips per day amid COVID-19. We’re going to show you how
It’s no secret that working rideshare and delivery with a lethal virus in the air is a big risk. Yet many of us agree to take on the risk because we need to earn money, and also because it feels good to know we’re transporting essential workers to their posts and keeping families fed.
Given all this, you would think that people would notice the service drivers are providing, and want to reward them for putting their lives on the line. There are some customers, in both the rideshare and delivery businesses, who do tip as they should. Many even tip more than what we’d expect, but…
There are some customers who tip very little—or not at all. Although it boggles the mind how this could be possible, it happens.
BUT…
There are some drivers who are making a LOT of money from tips, including now amid COVID-19.
Over the past week we sat down with a few rideshare drivers who have had success getting tips, and we drilled them on the strategies and techniques they use. Some of them have even had days where they made $50 in tips.
And in today’s post we’re going to share with you what works best. We’ll cover ...
- What it’s like to have a poor tipping experience
- Why passengers should be tipping more
- Why passengers might not tip more
- How the companies can incentivize passengers to give bigger tips
- Things you can do to improve your chances of getting more and better tips
Going that extra mile, but coming up empty
Although the prevailing belief is that we’re not supposed to expect tips from our customers, most people should know it’s only polite to tip the driver. In COVID-19 conditions, it’s hard to believe people expect drivers to go through with driving and delivering without being compensated at least a little bonus on top of the fare. They depend on our services, and again, we’re taking big risks to deliver them.
Here’s a scenario. You get a call on Uber Eats, Postmates, Grubhub, DoorDash, or whatever food delivery service you use. Picking up the food entails putting on your mask, going into the store, often waiting for extended periods, remembering to social distance (six feet from other delivery drivers!), and then finally getting the heavy bag loaded with a bunch of burritos placed into your delivery satchel or crate … or your (recently sanitized) hands.
You go back to the vehicle, load the food, take off your mask, and the destination is revealed: It’s an apartment building … in a high-crime area. Worse, the delivery instructions say, “Please find my name in the directory, call me, and I’ll buzz you in.”
After driving there, you have to put your mask (and possibly gloves) back on, grab the heavy bag of burritos, ring the main door, wait for what seems like forever to get an answer, and when the door finally clicks unlocked, you have to go inside, board an elevator (with WAY LESS than six feet between you and the people in there with you), pass by several of his sketchy-looking fellow tenants, find the guy’s apartment … and deliver the food.
You try to smile through the mask (and by the way, he’s not wearing one), and greet him cheerfully. You hand him the food, being careful not to touch him, and showing him where you haven’t touched the bag. You think you’ve done so well!
He accepts the food and closes the door in your face.
When you close out the delivery on the app you notice that, for your half hour of time and trouble, you’re going to collect $7.50. Is there a tip? NO.
It’s the kind of delivery that makes you want to go straight home, get yourself lost in Netflix, and wait for the unemployment payment to roll in.
Show us the money
In ordinary circumstances, people tip when we give them extraordinary service. In rideshare, this might mean using your street-savvy senses to find an extra-expeditious route to the airport during rush hour. In delivery, it could mean remembering to bring extra napkins, or adding extra condiments in the bag.
In the COVID-19 environment, any service we offer is extraordinary. For all the reasons we listed, people who choose to work in these conditions deserve the respect and remuneration for going above and beyond the call of what a driver would call “duty.” While we, as drivers, definitely know this is the case, customers may have a different point of view.
Why people might not want to tip
You’re not serving them beautiful meals on a plate
When it comes to food delivery, you have to consider the customer’s point of view. They’re probably paying more than they ordinarily would for the food, because restaurants pad the price to compensate for paying the delivery company’s fee.
People are typically more willing to give tips in restaurants because someone takes their order and serves them their food. In the delivery situation, they figure the company is paying you anyway, so why should they tip you? Unfortunately, there’s no way for them to tell how little you’re getting for each trip.
They already got hit with a service charge
Grocery delivery customers have even more things to consider. Not only are they trusting someone else to pick out bananas at the right stage of ripeness, they’re paying a service fee to the grocery delivery company.
The tip they would give you comes on top of that. Customers are not prone to fork out even more money when they’re already getting hit with a premium charge for the food they buy for their families.
They’re waiting longer, too
In the rideshare world, things are not much better. There aren’t as many rides, and quite often we end up driving 10, 15, and 20 minutes in between rides. Customers would know this because they have to wait for you. As it turns out, they’re just ticked off that you didn’t come as fast as you used to when there were more drivers on the road.
Also, there are instances where the rideshare companies slap a surcharge on the customer, particularly if you had to drive a long distance to take the trip. Adding a tip on top of all that may just be more than a lot of people can afford.
They figure it’s the company’s job to pay drivers extra for working in the pandemic
It’s hard to blame them for that, but the reality is, the companies are also taking a hit during COVID-19. Many are suspending delivery charges to keep the food going out to hungry customers, and the rideshare business has been decimated through this crisis. Still, people don’t feel they should pick up the slack, and when we turn the tables, we can’t really disagree with them.
What the companies do to get tips for us—and what they could do better
While tips are supposed to come to us because of what we do as individuals, the companies also play a part in it. During the COVID-19 crisis, in-app suggestions from the companies could have an influence on their tipping habits. Let’s see what the individual companies are doing—and not doing—and how they contribute to the average driver’s tip jar.
Uber’s policy
Uber got in a lot of trouble a few years ago for not having an in-app tipping option. That has changed, thankfully. Now, for both Uber rideshare and Uber Eats, after the customer rates the driver, tipping options come up, for a 10%, 20%, or 30% tip. Customers can also tip you through their email receipt, up to 30 days after you drove or delivered for them. Uber also mentions that it’s fine to tip in cash.
How to do better
While an easily clickable range of tips could turn out to be pretty sweet if you’ve just done an $80 airport run, a 30% tip on a $10 burger and fries order is only going to be $3. It would be nice ... if they sent messages to riders and delivery customers explaining how important it is to tip drivers extra for going out into the COVID-19 environment to provide services for them, even if it’s just to the local fast food eatery.
Lyft’s policy
Lyft’s tip policy is almost identical to Uber’s, with an in-app tipping option and directions on the website (and in the rider app’s help section) on how to honor the driver’s service.The one difference with Lyft is that the time range for tipping is only 72 hours.
How to do better
Here again, more reminders about what drivers go through to make sure customers have a safe and pleasant ride, and how much they deserve to be paid extra in these challenging times.
DoorDash’s policy
DoorDash offers the option for in-app tipping, but the screen for this comes up at the time they place their orders. That isn’t great because it’s hard for customers to know what kind of service they’re going to get. What if they tip someone 30% in advance and they bring smooshed fries and a cold burger, with half a milkshake dripped all over it?
It’s still possible to add or change a tip after the delivery, but the customer would have to go back to the help section to get that done. The worker who delivered the disaster of an order would probably lose that tip, deservedly so. But ... if someone wants to tip you big after the fact, the need to find the right page in the help section is going to make that much less likely to happen.
How to do better
DoorDash really needs to change the ways they offer options for customers to tip, so they can do it on the front and back ends of the order. Also, they could do more to emphasize how much the drivers are doing for their customers.
Grubhub’s policy
Grubhub offers customers the opportunity to tip at the end of the order. They even suggest tip amounts based on the full cost of the order, not just the food. This is an excellent policy, particularly when customers are ordering drinks as well as food.
On the Grubhub blog, there’s an article about tipping your Grubhub driver. It mentions how important it is to the driver to receive this extra amount. And ... they even suggest that you never tip less than $5.
How to do better
Grubhub doesn’t go out of its way to let customers know how much extra work and risk drivers are going through with the pandemic. If they were to do so, their already generous efforts to help drivers to get more tips would be even more beneficial.
Postmates’ policy
The Postmates app lets customers leave tips after they receive the order. This is the reverse of DoorDash, and it presents similar problems. What if the customer forgets to go back into the app to leave a tip? As for cash tips, in the COVID-19 environment most customers don’t want to see you face to face. They want you to leave it at the door and walk away, to avoid spreading the virus.
How to do better
Postmates needs to give its customers more opportunities to leave a tip—and more reminders as to why it’s important, especially considering the extra hardship drivers endure these days.
Instacart
The giant grocery delivery company has even more of a checkered history than Uber when it comes to their tipping policy. In the past, they’ve even taken tips that customers added on—and took part of it away from the driver to add to their service charge. After being called out on this, the company changed its ways.
Working for Instacart is even more involved than rideshare or food delivery because in most cases, there is actual shopping involved. A lot more time is necessary for each order, and the basic pay is not very high. This makes it even more essential for the company to convey the importance of tipping.
Instacart suggests a tip of 5%, then allows the customer to adjust it—or remove it altogether. Because there’s already a service charge for all orders, many customers balk at also adding on a tip.
How to do better
It would be nice, especially because of Instacart’s past troubles, if they provided the public with more information about how their shoppers and drivers deserve generous tips.
What drivers are doing to get bigger tips
If you’ve been in the rideshare or delivery business long enough, you know that the more you relate to your customers and provide those extra touches, the more likely you are to get good tips. Even though it’s true you’re doing the world a favor just for being out there, you should avoid acting like that’s how you feel.
We sat down with a few drivers who are regularly making $50+ per day in tips, and they gave us their insight about how rideshare and delivery drivers can increase gratuities.
Tips for rideshare drivers
Have great customer interactions.
“Everyone is pretty sensitive right now,” says James, a Pittsburgh rideshare driver and Gridwise user. “So it goes a long way to simply do what you can to brighten a passenger’s day. That makes it hard to forget to tip.”
If you want to consistently receive tips, you need to make an impression on your passengers that causes them to remember you.
How?
Make sure to have extremely positive interactions with customers from the moment they call you to the moment they leave your car.
James offered the following examples of ways to create a positive customer experience.
- Put on your mask before the customer enters the car.
- When you’re wearing a mask, it’s hard for your customers to see that million dollar smile! Wave at them, in the friendliest way you can think of, so they know you’re happy to welcome them.
- Offer to play the kind of music or other entertainment the rider would prefer.
- Offer to open car doors and the trunk to allow the rider to avoid contact with these surfaces.
- Ask your passenger if the temperature is comfortable.
Keep your car clean.
“It’s all about having a clean car these days,” says Regina, a Chicago area rideshare driver. “With COVID-19, everyone wants to feel clean and safe, so the more you can do to make sure your car feels, smells, and is clean, the more you’re going to get tipped.”
We couldn’t agree more with Regina here. Uber and Lyft know how crucial cleanliness is in this COVID-19 world, and so should you.
Regina offered some tips to ensure your car feels spotless to passengers:
- Put on your mask before the customer enters the car. This is often the first signal to a passenger about the cleanliness of your vehicle.
- Offer the customer the option of cleaning any surface he or she would like with wipes or whatever cleaning products you’re using in your car.
- Follow all company and state guidelines for protecting you and your riders from the virus.
- Offer to open car doors and the trunk to allow the rider to avoid contact with these surfaces.
- Spray air freshener after every ride.
- If possible, arrive with your windows open to show the passenger that air has been flowing throughout the vehicle.
If they’re up for it, spark a conversation.
Who doesn’t love a talkative passenger?
People are incredibly interesting, and one of the best perks of being a rideshare driver is that you get to meet and chat with dozens of people each week. However, amid COVID-19, people could be less inclined to speak for fear of spreading the virus through their breath.
“You need to read the room,” says Kate, a Lyft driver in NYC. “Sparking conversations certainly helps with tips, but some passengers just want to sit there and think about nothing. I respect that.”
If a passenger has earbuds in, is working, has his or her eyes closed, or just looks preoccupied, be cautious when sparking up a conversation. You can throw out a question or two to test the waters, but don’t be pushy.
Let them be the DJ.
No matter what’s going on in the world, most people love music.
Music is a big part of the in-car experience, so asking passengers if they want to listen to a certain radio station is a great way to make them more comfortable. If you want to take things a step further, offer an auxiliary cord to your passengers and let them completely choose the music you listen to during the ride.
Letting passengers play DJ also gives you the opportunity to connect with them. Some passengers will have similar tastes in music as you, and you can share your experiences or recommendations with them. This is a great way to spark an enjoyable conversation.
Tips for delivery workers
Execute the delivery as quickly and smoothly as possible.
“Before anything else, you just have to get the food to the right place, as quickly as possible, with as few issues as possible,” says Reggie, a Miami-based DoorDash driver. “If there are issues with the order or speed of the order, that’s when you start to run into problems.”
Use a mask and gloves to demonstrate your efforts to avoid spreading the virus.
“A lot of people are going contactless delivery,” says Laurie, another DoorDash driver in Miami, “but when you do see a customer, you want to make sure that you have on your protective gear.”
If you leave the order at the door, let the customer know you’re there so it doesn’t get cold or eaten by neighborhood animals—including humans.
“It’s honestly surprising to me how many food delivery people I see that just leave the food there with no notice,” says Reggie. “You did all that work to get them the food, send a message to tell them it was delivered!”
Take a photo of the delivery at the door, if instructed.
“As a customer, I love to get the photo of the food at the door,” says Oscar, a NYC-based Grubhub driver. “A lot of people live in apartments and have to go searching for their food. Simply alleviating that can be huge.”
If you get to meet them, give the customer the receipt. Often, this inspires them to tip you, as they see the amount and that the tip isn’t on there.
“My favorite trick is to give them the receipt,” says Oscar. “A lot of people don’t really realize that they’re not tipping sufficiently, so putting that in front of them and showing them that it’s not is a great way to spur more tipping.”
A (hat) “tip” to you
We hope this discussion about tipping in the COVID-19 environment addresses some of your concerns, and gives you the tools you need to keep the tips coming. You are doing a great service by working in this scary world we find ourselves in, and you deserve all the appreciation the world can afford to give you.
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How to Become an Uber Driver in 2026: Requirements, Sign-Up, and What to Expect
Signing up to drive for Uber or deliver with Uber Eats is one of the fastest ways to start earning money on your own schedule. Whether you want to give rides, deliver food, or do both, the application process is straightforward — but there are specific requirements and steps you need to know about before you begin.
This guide walks you through the entire process from start to finish, covering both Uber rideshare and Uber Eats. We will explain what you need to qualify, how to submit your application, how long approval takes, what it costs to get started, and what to expect during your first week on the road. If you are looking for a detailed breakdown of vehicle and driver requirements specifically, check out our complete guide on Uber driver requirements before you apply.
Quick Answer — How to Sign Up for Uber in 5 Steps
Here is the short version of how to become an Uber driver or Uber Eats driver in 2026:
- Download the Uber Driver app from the App Store or Google Play
- Enter your personal information including your name, email, phone number, and Social Security number
- Upload your required documents — driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance, and a profile photo
- Consent to a background check run by Checkr (takes 3-10 business days)
- Complete a vehicle inspection (rideshare drivers only, $20-$50 depending on your market)
Estimated total time from application to first trip: 7 to 14 days.
Most of that waiting period is the background check. The actual application itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. The rest of this guide breaks down each step in detail and covers everything else you need to know, including how Uber Eats sign-up differs from rideshare.
Uber Driver vs. Uber Eats Driver — What's the Difference?
Before you sign up, it helps to understand the difference between driving for Uber (rideshare) and delivering for Uber Eats. They use the same app and the same sign-up process, but the requirements, earning potential, and day-to-day experience are different.
Uber Rideshare (UberX, Comfort, XL, etc.):
- You transport passengers from point A to point B
- Stricter vehicle requirements (4-door, must be 16 years old or newer, no cosmetic damage)
- Must be 21 or older in most markets (25 in some)
- Higher earning potential per trip
- Requires a vehicle inspection before you can start
Uber Eats (Delivery):
- You pick up food orders from restaurants and deliver them to customers
- More flexible vehicle options — you can deliver by car, bike, scooter, or even on foot in some markets
- Lower age requirement (18+ in most markets)
- No vehicle age requirement for delivery-only drivers
- No vehicle inspection required
- Lower barrier to entry overall, but tips make up a larger portion of your income
Can you do both? Yes. When you sign up through the Uber Driver app, you can choose to enable both rideshare and delivery. Once approved, you can toggle between them at any time depending on what is available and what you feel like doing. Many drivers stack Uber Eats deliveries during slow rideshare periods to keep their earnings consistent.
Which Should You Choose?
If your main goal is to maximize earnings per hour, rideshare generally pays more on a per-trip basis, especially during surge pricing. However, it requires more investment upfront (a qualifying vehicle, inspection, and insurance) and means having strangers in your car.
If you want the lowest barrier to entry and maximum flexibility, Uber Eats is the way to go. You can start with almost any vehicle — or no vehicle at all in some cities — and work at your own pace without interacting with passengers. Many drivers start with Uber Eats while they figure out whether they want to commit to rideshare.
If you are on the fence, sign up for both. There is no downside to having both options available, and you can always adjust later based on what works best in your market.
Requirements to Drive for Uber (Rideshare)
To drive for Uber's rideshare service, you need to meet requirements for both yourself and your vehicle. Here is a summary of the key qualifications — for a full deep dive, see our complete Uber driver requirements guide.
Driver requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old (some markets require 25)
- Hold a valid U.S. driver's license — you must have had it for at least one year (three years if you are under 25)
- Have a clean driving record with no major violations in the past seven years
- Pass a background check through Checkr
- Have a valid Social Security number
Vehicle requirements:
- Four-door vehicle
- Must be model year 2010 or newer (varies by city — some markets require 2012 or newer)
- No salvage or rebuilt title
- No significant cosmetic damage
- Must pass a vehicle inspection
- Must be registered and insured in your name (or you must be listed on the policy)
Insurance requirements:
- Must carry at least your state's minimum auto insurance coverage
- A rideshare endorsement or commercial policy is strongly recommended, though not always required by Uber
- Uber provides supplemental liability coverage while you are online and on trips, but it does not cover your vehicle's damage — that gap is where a rideshare endorsement matters
The specific requirements can vary by city and state, so always check Uber's website for your local market. Some cities have additional requirements like a TLC license (New York City) or specific permits.
Requirements to Deliver for Uber Eats
The requirements for Uber Eats delivery are notably less strict than rideshare:
- Age: 18 or older (compared to 21 for rideshare)
- License: Valid driver's license if delivering by car. If delivering by bike, scooter, or on foot, no driver's license is needed — just a government-issued ID
- Vehicle: Car, bike, electric bike, scooter, or on foot (availability varies by market)
- No vehicle age requirement for delivery-only sign-ups
- No vehicle inspection required for delivery drivers
- Background check: Still required, same process as rideshare
- Insurance: Required if delivering by car (same as rideshare), not required for bike or foot delivery
This lower barrier to entry is a big reason why "how to become an Uber Eats driver" is one of the most searched gig economy phrases. If you meet the basic age and background check requirements, you can likely start delivering within a week or two.
Step-by-Step Sign-Up Process
Now let's walk through the actual application process. Whether you are signing up for Uber rideshare, Uber Eats, or both, the process starts the same way.
Step 1 — Download the Uber Driver App
Search for "Uber Driver" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Make sure you download the Uber Driver app, not the regular Uber rider app — they are two separate applications. The Uber Driver app has a green icon, while the rider app has a black icon.
You can also start your application online at uber.com/drive, but you will eventually need the app to complete the process and to actually accept trips once you are approved.
Step 2 — Enter Your Personal Information
Once you open the app, you will be prompted to create a driver account. You will need to provide:
- Your full legal name (must match your driver's license exactly)
- Email address
- Phone number (Uber will send a verification code)
- Social Security number (for the background check)
- Your city or market area
If you already have an Uber rider account, you can use the same email to sign up as a driver. The system will link both accounts.
At this stage, you will also choose whether you want to drive (rideshare), deliver (Uber Eats), or both. You can change this later, so if you are unsure, select both to keep your options open.
Step 3 — Upload Required Documents
This is where the process takes the most hands-on effort. You will need to upload clear photos of:
- Driver's license (front and back)
- Vehicle registration (if driving a car)
- Proof of insurance (if driving a car)
- Profile photo — a clear, front-facing photo of your face with no sunglasses or hats
Tips for getting your documents accepted on the first try:
- Take photos in good lighting with no glare or shadows
- Make sure all four corners of each document are visible in the frame
- Ensure text is legible and not blurry — hold your phone steady
- Your profile photo should be taken against a plain background with your face clearly visible
- Make sure your name matches across all documents exactly (middle name, suffixes, etc.)
- Do not crop or edit the photos before uploading
Document review typically takes one to three business days. If something is rejected, Uber will notify you in the app with a specific reason, and you can re-upload immediately. The most common rejection reasons are blurry photos, glare obscuring text, and name mismatches between documents.
Step 4 — Consent to Background Check
After your documents are submitted, Uber will prompt you to consent to a background check through Checkr, their third-party screening provider. This is a required step for both rideshare drivers and Uber Eats delivery partners.
What Uber checks:
- Criminal history (county, state, and federal records going back seven years)
- Sex offender registry
- Motor vehicle records (driving violations, suspensions, DUIs)
- SSN verification and identity confirmation
Typical timeline: 3 to 10 business days, with most applicants cleared within five business days.
You do not need to do anything during this waiting period — it runs automatically after you provide consent. You can check your status at any time in the Uber Driver app under the "Account" section.
For a complete breakdown of what the background check covers, what disqualifies you, and what to do if there is a problem, read our detailed guide on the Uber background check.
Step 5 — Complete Vehicle Inspection (Rideshare Only)
If you are signing up to drive rideshare passengers, your vehicle must pass an inspection before you can go online. Uber Eats delivery drivers can skip this step entirely.
Where to get your inspection:
- Uber-authorized inspection stations (search in the Uber Driver app for locations near you)
- Some mechanics and auto shops that are Uber-approved
- Certain Uber Greenlight Hub locations (available in larger markets)
What they check:
- Working headlights, taillights, and turn signals
- Tire condition and tread depth
- Brakes
- Seatbelts for all passenger seats
- Working horn and windshield wipers
- No significant body damage or mechanical issues
- Interior cleanliness and condition
Cost: Typically $20 to $50, depending on your market and where you go. Some markets offer free inspections at Greenlight Hubs. You pay out of pocket — Uber does not reimburse this cost.
The inspection form must be uploaded to the Uber Driver app. Once it is reviewed and approved (usually within one to two business days), you are cleared to start accepting rides.
Download Gridwise alongside the Uber Driver app to track your earnings, find peak hours, and maximize your income from day one.
How Long Does It Take to Get Approved?
From the moment you submit your application to the moment you can accept your first trip, expect the process to take 5 to 14 days in most cases.
Here is how that breaks down:
- Application and document upload: 15-20 minutes
- Document review: 1-3 business days
- Background check: 3-10 business days (runs in parallel with document review in many cases)
- Vehicle inspection review: 1-2 business days (rideshare only)
For Uber Eats delivery drivers who are not using a car, the timeline is often shorter since there is no vehicle inspection or insurance verification step. Some Uber Eats applicants are approved in as little as three to five days.
What can delay your approval:
- Blurry or rejected documents (adds 2-4 days while you re-upload)
- Background check holds — if Checkr needs to verify records across multiple counties, it can take longer
- Name mismatches between your license, registration, and insurance
- Expired documents (insurance or registration)
- High application volume in your market during peak sign-up periods
What to do while you wait:
- Use the time to set up your car (phone mount, charger, dashcam)
- Research your local market to understand peak hours and busy areas
- Read through Uber's driver policies and community guidelines
- Download Gridwise and start exploring earnings data and peak hours in your area so you are ready to hit the ground running
What If You're Denied or Waitlisted?
Not every application gets approved. Here is what you need to know if you run into issues.
Common denial reasons:
- Felony conviction within the past seven years
- DUI or major driving offense on your record
- Too many moving violations
- Suspended or revoked license
- Vehicle does not meet requirements
- Failed vehicle inspection
How to appeal through Checkr:
If your denial is based on your background check, you have the right to dispute the results directly with Checkr. Checkr will send you a copy of the report, and you can file a dispute if you believe any information is inaccurate. The dispute process typically takes 30 days.
You can start a dispute at Checkr's candidate portal (candidate.checkr.com). You will need the report ID from the email Checkr sent you.
Waitlisted — what it means:
In some markets, Uber places new applicants on a waitlist when they have enough drivers in the area. This does not mean you were denied — it means your market is temporarily saturated. Waitlists can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. There is no way to speed up the process, but you will be notified by email and in the app when a spot opens.
If you are waitlisted for rideshare, you may still be able to start with Uber Eats in the meantime, since delivery has separate capacity limits.
How Much Does It Cost to Become an Uber Driver?
Signing up for Uber is free — there is no application fee. However, there are real costs associated with getting started, and it helps to know what you are getting into financially.
Startup cost breakdown:
- Vehicle inspection fee: $20-$50 (rideshare only; free at some Greenlight Hubs)
- Insurance upgrade (rideshare endorsement): $0-$50/month extra depending on your provider and state
- Phone mount: $10-$25
- Car phone charger: $10-$20
- Dashcam (optional but recommended): $50-$150
- First tank of gas: $40-$70
- Car wash and interior cleaning: $10-$30
Estimated total to get started: $50 to $300, depending on your market and what you already own.
If you are signing up for Uber Eats delivery only (especially by bike or on foot), your startup costs are essentially zero beyond what you already have.
What Uber provides vs. what you need:
- Uber provides the app, navigation, payment processing, and supplemental insurance while you are on a trip
- Uber does not provide a vehicle, phone, phone mount, dashcam, or personal auto insurance
- Uber does not reimburse gas, maintenance, or any startup costs
One thing to keep in mind: all of these expenses, plus your gas and car maintenance costs, are tax-deductible as business expenses since you are an independent contractor. Keep your receipts from day one.
What to Expect Your First Week
Getting approved is just the beginning. Your first week driving for Uber or delivering for Uber Eats will involve a learning curve, and knowing what to expect will help you avoid common mistakes and start earning faster.
Navigating the app for the first time:
The Uber Driver app can feel overwhelming at first. Before you go online, spend 10 to 15 minutes exploring the interface. Familiarize yourself with how to go online and offline, how to view and accept trip requests, where to find your earnings summary, and how to contact rider or customer support.
Choosing your first rides or deliveries:
For your first few trips, stick to areas you know well so you are not relying entirely on GPS navigation. This reduces stress and lets you focus on the pickup and drop-off process. If you are doing rideshare, shorter trips close to home are a good way to get comfortable before tackling airport runs or long highway trips.
Understanding surge pricing and promotions:
Uber uses dynamic pricing (called "surge") that increases fares when demand is high — think Friday and Saturday nights, morning rush hour, or during bad weather. The app shows you a heat map of surge areas in real time.
As a new driver, you may also qualify for sign-up bonuses or guaranteed earnings promotions. These vary by market and change frequently, but they can be worth hundreds of dollars if you hit the required trip count within the specified timeframe. Check the "Promotions" tab in the Uber Driver app to see what is available in your area.
Setting realistic earnings expectations:
Your first week will probably not be your highest-earning week. You are still learning the best times to drive, the most profitable areas, and how the app works. Most new Uber drivers earn between $15 and $30 per hour before expenses during their first week, depending on their market. For a detailed look at what you can expect to make, check out our guide on how much Uber drivers make.
Do not compare your earnings to what full-time veteran drivers post online. They have optimized their strategy over months or years. Focus on learning the patterns in your market during week one.
First-Week Tips from Experienced Drivers
Here are tips that experienced Uber drivers wish they had known during their first week:
- Drive during peak hours first. Friday and Saturday evenings (7 PM to 2 AM) and weekday morning rush (6 AM to 9 AM) are consistently the busiest and highest-paying times in most markets. Start there.
- Keep your car clean and stocked. For rideshare, a clean car with a phone charger available for riders goes a long way toward better ratings and tips.
- Do not chase surge. By the time you drive to a surge area, it often disappears. Instead, position yourself near bars, restaurants, or event venues where you know demand will spike.
- Accept most trips your first week. Your acceptance rate matters less than you think long-term, but early on, every trip is a learning opportunity. Get your first 20 to 30 trips under your belt before you start being selective.
- Track everything from day one. Your mileage, gas receipts, car washes, and any other driving-related expenses are all tax-deductible. Start a tracking system now so you are not scrambling at tax time.
- Download Gridwise alongside the Uber Driver app. Gridwise shows you real-time earnings data, peak demand times, and airport queue information for your specific market. Having that data from your first day gives you an advantage most new drivers do not have.
How to Maximize Your Earnings from Day One
Use Gridwise to find peak hours in your market. Gridwise aggregates earnings data from thousands of drivers in your area and shows you exactly when and where demand is highest. Instead of guessing, you can plan your shifts around proven peak windows. This alone can increase your hourly earnings by 20% or more compared to driving at random times.
Stack Uber Eats with rideshare during slow periods. If you are approved for both, toggle on Uber Eats delivery during times when rideshare requests slow down (typically mid-afternoon on weekdays). This keeps you earning instead of sitting idle.
Take advantage of new driver promotions and bonuses. Uber frequently offers sign-up bonuses, guaranteed earnings, and quest promotions for new drivers. These can range from $100 to $1,000+ depending on your market. Check the Promotions tab in the Uber Driver app and make sure you understand the requirements (usually a specific number of trips within a set timeframe). For a full breakdown of current promotions, see our guide on Uber driver bonuses.
Learn your market's patterns. Every city is different. In some markets, airport rides are the money maker. In others, it is bar close on weekends. Pay attention to where your best fares come from during your first two weeks, and build your schedule around those patterns.
Download Gridwise alongside the Uber Driver app to track your earnings, find peak hours, and maximize your income from day one.
FAQ
Can I drive for Uber and Lyft at the same time?
Yes. There is nothing preventing you from being active on both platforms simultaneously. Many drivers toggle between Uber and Lyft (and even Uber Eats and DoorDash) to maximize their trip volume and reduce downtime. Just make sure you only accept one trip at a time and that you are not double-booking rides.
Do I need a special license to drive for Uber?
In most U.S. cities, no. A standard driver's license is all you need. However, some cities have additional licensing requirements. New York City, for example, requires a TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission) license. Check Uber's requirements page for your specific city.
Can I drive Uber with a rental car?
Yes, but only through Uber's approved rental partners. You cannot use a personal rental from Enterprise or Hertz. Uber partners with companies like Avis and Hertz through specific programs designed for rideshare drivers. These rentals typically cost $200 to $350 per week and include insurance.
How old do you have to be to drive for Uber Eats?
You must be at least 18 years old to deliver for Uber Eats. This is lower than the 21-year minimum for Uber rideshare. If you are between 18 and 20, Uber Eats delivery is your only option on the Uber platform.
Do I need my own car to deliver for Uber Eats?
No. Depending on your market, you can deliver using a bicycle, electric bike, scooter, or even on foot. Car delivery is available everywhere, but alternative modes of transportation are only available in select cities — usually larger urban markets. Check the Uber Eats section of the Uber Driver app during sign-up to see which options are available in your area.
Can I sign up for both Uber and Uber Eats at the same time?
Yes, and this is actually what Uber recommends. During the sign-up process in the Uber Driver app, you can select both rideshare and delivery. You will go through one application and one background check. Once approved, you can switch between driving passengers and delivering food at any time from within the app. There is no extra fee or separate application for adding Uber Eats to your driver account.
Curious how much you will actually make? Download Gridwise to see real-time demand in your market so you can plan your first week strategically.
Uber Deactivation: What Triggers It and How to Avoid It
Uber can deactivate your account with almost no warning, and when it happens, your income stops the same day. Most drivers don't take the risk seriously until they're already close to a threshold, and by then the options are limited.
Deactivation isn't random. It's tied to a small set of specific numbers Uber tracks on every driver: your rating, your cancellation rate, and in some markets, your acceptance rate. Serious safety incidents run on a separate track and are effectively permanent. The rating and cancellation triggers are the ones you can see coming and protect against.
This post walks through what triggers deactivation, the warning signs Uber sends before it happens, what the appeals process looks like if you're already there, and what to check regularly so you never need the appeals section.
In this post:
- What triggers Uber deactivation
- The warning signs before it happens
- What the appeals process looks like
- How to protect your account before it's a problem
This video walks through exactly what triggers a suspension or deactivation, straight from Uber's platform agreement and community guidelines.
The breakdown below covers the same ground in writing, plus what to check regularly so you never need the appeals process.
What Triggers Uber Deactivation
Three things drive most deactivations: your star rating dropping below the platform threshold, your cancellation rate rising above the limit, and in some markets, your acceptance rate.
Uber's rating threshold varies by city but generally sits around 4.6. Drop below it and your account is at risk. Cancellation rate matters more than most drivers realize, and it's calculated across every trip assigned to you, not just the ones you complete. A string of declined pings can move that number faster than a driver expects.
Serious safety incidents, complaints involving passenger safety, are on a different track entirely. Those are effectively final and don't go through the same warning system as rating or cancellation issues. The good news is that rating and cancellation-based deactivations, the ones most drivers face, are the ones you have real control over.
The Warning Signs Before It Happens
Uber sends in-app notifications when your rating or cancellation rate gets close to the threshold. A lot of drivers dismiss these or scroll past them without reading the actual number.
There's a real difference between a warning and a deactivation action. A warning gives you a window to correct course, usually by driving a run of well-rated trips or being more selective about what you cancel. Once you cross the actual line, the process moves fast, and there's no window left.
Uber doesn't always spell out exactly how close you are to the threshold in plain numbers. Often you have to check your own rating and cancellation rate in the app and calculate it yourself, rather than waiting for the app to tell you where you stand.
What the Appeals Process Looks Like
If you're already deactivated, Uber has an in-app appeals process. Response times vary, and outcomes are genuinely inconsistent from one case to the next.
What tends to work: a specific, documented explanation tied to individual trips that affected your metrics, not a general statement that you're a good driver. What doesn't work: a generic appeal with no new information for Uber to consider. While you wait, document everything, dates, trip IDs, and any context that matters, since you may need it later in the process.
Rating-based and cancellation-based deactivations have a meaningfully higher appeal success rate than safety-related ones, which are generally final. If you want the full platform-by-platform breakdown of how to build a strong appeal, our deactivation appeal guide covers DoorDash, Uber, and Lyft step by step.
How to Protect Your Account Before It's a Problem
Check your rating and cancellation rate regularly, and know the threshold in your specific market. Don't wait for a notification to tell you where you stand.
Track which trip types are driving your cancellation rate up, and think honestly about whether your acceptance patterns are creating risk you haven't noticed. If you're only taking the trips you like and declining the rest, that pattern shows up in your numbers before it shows up as a warning.
Multi-apping is also a practical safety net, separate from the account-health side of this. About 24.3% of gig workers ran more than one platform in 2025. If Uber is your only source of income, a single deactivation means your income goes to zero overnight. Running a second platform doesn't prevent deactivation, but it means one platform's decision doesn't end your ability to earn.
The hard part is knowing which second platform is actually worth your time before you need it. Gridwise tracks your earnings across every company you drive for, and Opportunity Spotting shows whether Lyft, DoorDash, or another platform is paying better in your market right now. If Uber deactivates you tomorrow, you want that answer already, not something you're figuring out for the first time with no income coming in.
Deactivation Is Largely Preventable If You're Watching the Right Numbers
The thresholds aren't a secret, and the warning signs are there before the account gets cut off. Most drivers don't check their own rating or cancellation rate until something's already gone wrong, and by then the appeals process is the only option left.
Make a habit of checking your account health the same way you'd check your earnings: regularly, not just when the app tells you to. If you're already facing a deactivation, the appeals process can work, but it works better with documentation you gathered before you needed it, not after.
Keep Reading
- What Every Driver Needs: Protection From Unfair Deactivation
- Why Rideshare and Delivery Drivers Get Deactivated and How to Get Reactivated
- How To Improve Your Rideshare Driver Ratings
Want to see your rating trends and earnings across every platform you drive for in one place? Download Gridwise free and keep an eye on your account health alongside your actual take-home pay.
Is Driving for Uber Worth It in 2026
It's Friday at 6pm and your app shows $27 an hour so far. That number feels good, right up until you subtract what it doesn't show you: the twenty minutes between rides with no fare running, the gas, the oil change that's coming due, the fee that came out before the ride even hit your account.
That's the real question behind "is driving for Uber worth it." Not whether Uber pays, but whether it pays enough once you count everything the app leaves out.
The honest answer isn't one number. If Uber is side income around a full-time job, the bar is low: almost any extra cash clears it. If it's emergency income between other work, the math gets tighter. If it's your main income, you need your real number, not a national average, because that's the number your rent check cares about.
Gridwise data from 2025 puts the national average at $23.88 an hour gross for Uber drivers. That's a fine starting point. It's also gross, not net, and it says nothing about how much of your time is unpaid or how fast fees grew compared to driver pay. Here's what the 2025 data actually shows, the four-step math that turns a national average into your number, and the metric, effective hourly, that Gridwise already calculates for you.
In this post:
- What Uber drivers actually earned per hour in 2025
- How platform fees and driver pay moved in opposite directions
- The four numbers that tell you if it's worth it for you
The video above runs the same four-step math against a real shift. The breakdown below goes deeper on where the 2025 numbers came from and how to plug in your own.
Uber Drivers Grossed $23.88 an Hour in 2025, Before Idle Time
Uber drivers averaged $23.88 an hour gross per active work hour in 2025. Lyft drivers averaged $22.45. Active work hour means time on a trip, not time logged into the app with the meter off.
That distinction is the whole story. Idle miles, the distance between a drop-off and your next pickup, made up about 30% of total miles driven in 2025. Trips per hour slipped too, from 1.70 to 1.67. A meaningful chunk of every shift goes unpaid, and it's gotten a little harder to fill that time with back-to-back rides.
Most mileage logs only catch pickup to drop-off. Automatic mileage tracking in Gridwise also records the idle miles in between, since that distance still wears on your car even when it isn't a paid trip.
The average Uber driver worked 21.2 active hours a week for $522 gross. Mileage runs separately: $0.94 per work mile earned in 2025, and fuel plus wear on the vehicle comes out of that before anything counts as profit.
$23.88 isn't wrong. It's just gross. Net is the number that decides whether driving for Uber is worth your time, and net is not what the app shows you.
Platform Fees Grew Eight Times Faster Than Driver Pay in 2025
From December 2024 to December 2025, customer prices rose 9.6%. Platform fees rose 33.2%. Driver gross pay per hour rose 4.1%.
Same fare, growing further from the same paycheck. That's the main reason $23.88 buys less peace of mind now than it did a year or two ago.
Tips and bonuses moved the other way. Tips hit an all-time high of $1.58 per trip in Q4 2025. Bonus pay grew 33% to $317.65 per quarter. Real gains, but they softened the fee increase without offsetting it. For most drivers, 2025 closed with a tighter margin between what a ride generates and what actually reaches the driver.
Know your real number, not the national average. Gridwise auto-tracks your pay, miles, and expenses across every gig app so you always know your effective hourly. Download for free →
Four Numbers Tell You If It's Worth It for You
A national average answers a general question. Whether it's worth it for you is personal, and it takes four numbers to answer.
- Your gross per active hour. Not clock hour. The hour you were actually on a trip. Pull it from your own trip history, not the national average.
- Your real cost per mile. Fuel plus wear and tear: tires, brakes, oil changes. Most sedans run $0.30 to $0.50 per mile; larger vehicles more.
- Your weekly net. Gross earnings minus total mileage costs for every mile you drove that week, unpaid ones included.
- Your target hourly rate. What you actually need this to pay, based on what else you could be doing with the time.
Compare step 3 to step 4. That's your answer, and it's built on your market and your vehicle, not a national average. Gridwise runs this automatically as your effective hourly: gross earnings minus logged mileage and expenses, per hour actually worked, updated every time you log a shift. No spreadsheet required.
Run Your Own Number Before You Decide
$23.88 is a useful benchmark. It was never built to answer whether driving for Uber is worth it for you specifically. It doesn't know your market, your vehicle's real cost, or how many of your miles go unpaid.
Run your own version of the math once and you'll have a number that means something. A national average doesn't know your market. Yours does.
If your number comes back lower than you'd like, that's information, not a verdict. Where to Drive and When to Drive show which zones and time blocks actually generate trips in your market, the direct fix for high idle miles. If the number still isn't clearing your bar, Earnings Benchmarking shows how you compare to other drivers nearby, and Opportunity Spotting shows whether another platform is paying better for the same hours.
Keep Reading
- How Much Do Lyft Drivers Make in 2026?
- The Best Times to Drive for Uber
- UberX vs Uber Comfort vs Uber Black
Want to see your actual effective hourly instead of guessing at it? Download Gridwise free and track your real take-home, mileage, and where to earn more, across every platform you drive for.
Work smarter. Earn more.
Whether you drive, deliver, or pick up shifts — Gridwise helps you track earnings, mileage, and performance so you stay in control of your work. Download the app and take charge today.
