{"id":7791,"date":"2024-01-18T09:00:11","date_gmt":"2024-01-18T15:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/?p=7791"},"modified":"2024-01-16T12:54:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T18:54:50","slug":"rideshare-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aipflorida.com\/es\/blog\/rideshare-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Rideshare Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Whether it\u2019s a\u00a0side hustle<\/a>\u00a0or your main gig, driving for Uber or Lyft can be a great way to earn money on your own schedule. But succeeding as a rideshare driver takes more than a license and a car.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve studied how the best rideshare drivers made it to the top \u2014 and how you can join them. Here are 20 Lyft and Uber driver tricks to help you earn more behind the wheel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Keep your car in great condition<\/h2>\n

The best car for Uber or Lyft\u00a0 is low-maintenance, fuel-efficient, and (of course) easy to drive. But no matter what model you\u2019re taking out on the road, make sure it\u2019s in good shape \u2014 inside and out.<\/p>\n

Regular car washes will keep your vehicle looking sharp, so you make the right first impression on new riders. Meanwhile, a clean and funk-free interior will keep them happy once you\u2019ve embarked.<\/p>\n

To keep your cabin in tip-top shape, scan your car between rides leftover trash. It\u2019s also a good idea to keep some Febreze on-hand, just in case the previous passenger left behind an odor.<\/p>\n

Luckily, car washes, interior cleaning, and even that can of Febreze are all tax-deductible for rideshare drivers. So don\u2019t skimp \u2014 your ratings just might depend on it<\/p>\n

2. Grab a phone mount and a charger<\/h2>\n

The right gear will go a long way towards a smooth rideshare experience \u2014 not just for your passengers, but for you.<\/p>\n

The most important accessory? A phone mount. That way, you won\u2019t have to drive with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on your phone. A mount will cost you between $10 and $40.<\/p>\n

You might also consider an in-car phone charger, so you don’t run out of battery while you\u2019re working. A charger will also run you around $10-$40. And, like the mount, it\u2019s a write-off.<\/p>\n

3. Invest in a dashcam<\/h2>\n

A dash cam can set you back by as much as $400, though more minimalist models are available for around $150. Lots of rideshare drivers think it\u2019s more than worth it.<\/p>\n

Say you get into a messy situation with a passenger. A dashcam can help you refute any false claims they might make. In the event of an accident, your footage can also get your insurance to pay out quickly. And, yes \u2014 your dashcam is tax-deductible too.<\/p>\n

4. Look into rideshare insurance<\/h2>\n

Speaking of insurance, from Allstate to Geico, plenty of major companies now offer dedicated\u00a0rideshare insurance<\/a>. In certain situations that aren\u2019t covered by either your personal auto insurance, or Uber\u2019s and Lyft\u2019s insurance, these policies will step in.<\/p>\n

Rideshare-specific insurance kicks in if you get into an accident when you\u2019re logged into the app, but don\u2019t yet have a rider in the car. Different policies offer different cover different scenarios \u2014 say, if you\u2019re waiting for a request or heading over for a pickup. Rideshare policies will stack on top of your existing policy.<\/p>\n

Rideshare insurance policies vary in cost, from less than $10 a month to around $30. You can deduct these costs from\u00a0your taxes<\/a>\u00a0too.<\/p>\n

5. Track your expenses<\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve been talking a lot about the tax deductions you can take as a rideshare driver. The truth is, insurance and phone mounts only scratch the surface. You can also write off gas, parking fees, car payments, and more. (Check out our list of\u00a0tax deductions for rideshare drivers<\/a>\u00a0to make sure you\u2019re not missing any!)<\/p>\n

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[youtube https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=E_mJYXfwg8g]<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\u200d
\nTo actually take all those deductions, you\u2019ll have to\u00a0keep track of your car expenses<\/a>. The IRS requires you to keep records for when you\u00a0file your Uber taxes<\/a>. And in any case, tracking all your deductions will make sure you don\u2019t miss any.<\/p>\n

Not the recordkeeping type? Don\u2019t worry \u2014 apps like\u00a0Keeper\u00a0<\/a>can automatically scan your purchases for qualified deductions, so you don\u2019t need to keep a spreadsheet or\u00a0hoard receipts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Over 1M freelancers trust Keeper with their taxes<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Keeper is the top-rated all-in-one business expense tracker, tax filing service, and personal accountant.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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6. Avoid driving aimlessly<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t drive around in circles while you\u2019re waiting for your next gig. All you\u2019re doing is racking up mileage and wasting gas money. Instead, park your car somewhere and catch up on a podcast while you wait.<\/p>\n

Over time, you\u2019ll build up an awareness of promising places to hang tight while you wait for those requests to roll in.<\/p>\n

7. Get familiar with the area<\/h2>\n

Don\u2019t rely entirely on your GPS: it can lead you astray. It pays off to spend some time learning your way around the old-fashioned way. You\u2019ll be armed with shortcuts, scenic routes, and alternate paths in case a construction site \u2014 or an accident \u2014 forces you to adjust on the fly.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also a good idea to pick up navigational knowledge that a GPS\u00a0can\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0teach you. If you get familiar with the local terrain, you\u2019ll learn which streets are full of cyclists during the day, and which offer poor visibility at night.<\/p>\n

8. Know where the bathrooms are<\/h2>\n

Speaking of learning your way around, it definitely pays to have public bathrooms mentally mapped out.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll probably get the occasional long-distance passenger who needs to make a pitstop en route to a faraway destination. They\u2019ll thank you for knowing exactly where to go. More importantly, though, it\u2019s crucial to be able to find bathrooms for\u00a0you<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Look for places with free parking. Starbucks, McDonald\u2019s, and grocery stores like Whole Foods are good bets. A hotel lobby might also do in a pinch.<\/p>\n

9. Take advantage of referral bonuses<\/h2>\n

Both Uber and Lyft offer incentives for referring new drivers. So be sure to share your referral code with friends and family members \u2014 or anyone else who might want to take the plunge. Once a referral has completed a set number of rides, you\u2019ll get your bonus.<\/p>\n

Know someone who\u2019s on the fence about joining? If you take them out to lunch to talk them through it, that\u00a0counts as a business meal<\/a>. so it’s tax-deductible!<\/p>\n

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\"Sign<\/div>\n
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Sign up for Tax University<\/p>\n

Get the tax info they should have taught us in school<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u200d<\/p>\n

Haven\u2019t gotten started as a rideshare driver yet? If you\u2019re just reading this article to get ahead, we admire your dedication! In that case, try to grab a referral code from someone who\u2019s already driving. That way, you\u2019ll be eligible for certain sign-up rewards.<\/p>\n

10. Find community with other drivers<\/h2>\n

You might think of other Uber and Lyft drivers as the competition. But they can also be a great source of community<\/p>\n

Facebook groups for Uber and Lyft drivers will put you in touch with countless veterans who are happy to share tips \u2014 or just listen to you vent.<\/p>\n

11. Stock up your car with amenities<\/h2>\n

A little gesture can go a long way when it comes to getting that five-star rating. Offering bottled water, snacks, or gum will make the ride feel positively luxurious \u2014 and much more personal than a taxi. You can write off all these goodies on your taxes.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t want to deal with wrappers and crumbs? That\u2019s understandable. The truth is, the most sought-after rider amenity won\u2019t generate any trash at all. Having extra phone chargers available will keep your passengers plenty happy.<\/p>\n

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\"Free<\/p>\n
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What tax write-offs can\u00a0I claim?<\/p>\n

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I\u2019m a self-employed …<\/div>\n
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Lyft \/ Uber driver<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
See Write-Offs<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

12. Play some music<\/h2>\n

What\u2019s the cheapest way to create a comfortable rideshare experience? A well-chosen Pandora station.<\/p>\n

Classical and instrumental jazz are your safest bets. Still, all passengers have their own taste: be prepared to change the station if someone complains. That\u2019s why it\u2019s a good idea to have a few stations on standby.<\/p>\n

You can even vary up your programming depending on the time of day: top hits for Friday nights, NPR for early-morning airport runs. For extra credit, consider letting passengers play their own music with an aux cord.<\/p>\n

13. Give passengers a hand<\/h2>\n

Being extra-helpful might make each ride last a little longer, but it pays off in the long run. After all, passengers who see you watching indifferently as they wrestle with heavy suitcases might not be inclined to leave a tip.<\/p>\n

Not all Lyft and Uber drivers take the time to help their passengers with their luggage. Taking that extra step can help you stand out. As an added bonus, it\u2019ll also save your bumper from being scratched up by heavy bags.<\/p>\n

14. Stick to \u201csafe\u201d conversation topics<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to make friendly conversation (unless you can tell your passenger would rather work \u2014 or nap). Still, it\u2019s important to keep things relaxed.<\/p>\n

To that end, steer clear of potentially thorny topics, like politics or religion. An offended rider can easily lash out with an (undeserved) low rating.<\/p>\n

15. Keep an eye on the Uber rider app<\/h2>\n

Want to get a sense of what other drivers are doing? You can use the Uber passenger app.<\/p>\n

Logging in as a rider will show you how many other drivers are in your area. If you find yourself competing for slim pickings with eight other idle drivers, that\u2019s your cue to clear out and try somewhere else.<\/p>\n

16. Be smart about surge pricing<\/h2>\n

When passenger demand is higher than the supply of drivers, you get surge pricing. The result? Higher fares \u2014 but also stiffer competition.<\/p>\n

Beginning drivers are often tempted to go where the surge is. But the truth is, it may not be worth it. As more and more drivers flood into the area, they\u2019ll bring the surge pricing down. The next thing you know, it\u2019s over before you even got there.<\/p>\n

As you gain experience, you\u2019ll develop a surge strategy that works for you. That may involve prepping for regular surges at peak times \u2014 say, at the end of the workday, or when the bars start to close. On the other hand, you might find you prefer ignoring surges completely in favor.<\/p>\n

17. Keep an eye out for special events<\/h2>\n

Speaking of surge pricing, local events can be a huge drivers of high demand. Concerts, for instance, lead to hordes of stranded, desperate riders eager to hop into the first available Uber for their long ride home.<\/p>\n

Of course, there are downsides to event surges too. You can expect plenty of road closures \u2014 not to mention time spent waiting in traffic.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to jump in on these one-off surges, keep your eyes peeled for special events. That way, you can plan to be in the area once the chaos starts. On the flip side, if event driving isn\u2019t for you, you can use these reminders to steer clear of the affected roads.<\/p>\n

18. Go where the alcohol is<\/h2>\n

Decided against ferrying concertgoers back from their venue? You can still take advantage of surge pricing in a more predictable way. If you work late on Fridays and Saturdays, you\u2019ll pick up plenty of folks heading back from downtown restaurants and bars.<\/p>\n

Follow the alcohol, and you can turn being the designated driver into a great source of extra money. Just remember: In most states, you can\u2019t allow passengers to drink from open containers in your car.<\/p>\n

19. Be prepared to do some cleanup<\/h2>\n

If you\u00a0do<\/em>\u00a0follow the alcohol, be prepared: the heavy payouts come with the occasional mess.<\/p>\n

Stock your car with barf bags just in case. (Trash bags and even dog waste bags will work as well.) Just make sure to keep them in easy-to-reach places \u2014 say, your seatback pockets.<\/p>\n

What if a nauseated rider isn\u2019t able to grab a bag in time? Don\u2019t worry. Uber offers a cleaning fee of\u00a0up to $150<\/a>\u00a0for \u201cextensive liquid and smelly messes.\u201d (Smaller messes \u2014 think coffee spills and tracked-in dirt \u2014 can still get you reimbursed for $20 – $80). The charge will be passed on to the passenger responsible.<\/p>\n

To claim your cleaning fee, just send Uber\u00a0 three clear photos of the mess, and a receipt from the cleaning service if you used one. (You can still claim the fee even if you handle cleanup on your own.)<\/p>\n

20. Rest when you need it<\/h2>\n

Life as an Uber driver\u00a0can<\/em>\u00a0mean good money, wild stories, and the freedom to set your own schedule as a self-employed person. But it can also lead to long hours and\u00a0burnout.<\/a><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to take breaks. Whether that means shutting off the app to grab a cup of coffee, or making the conscious decision to take Friday night off, this much-needed rest will keep you healthy and clear-headed. And that’s what you need to keep earning in the long run.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Jessica<\/p>\n
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Jessica Wallace<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Jessica Wallace is an experienced financial professional who aims to provide valuable, actionable insight on topics ranging from the latest in fintech to the future of finance. Over the years, she has provided financial advice to individuals and businesses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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by<\/div>\n
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Jessica Wallace<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Updated<\/div>\n
August 21, 2023<\/div>\n
https:\/\/www.keepertax.com\/posts\/lyft-tips<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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