Anybody become an Uber driver ?
Discussion
London, you'll have to apply for a PCO, Public Carriage Office, licence just as any other minicab driver. It'll involve a medical, a CRB (Or whatever it is called these days) and some other bits and pieces.
So maybe a couple of hundred quid.
Problem with Uber is that there are now so many that I would find it hard to believe that any decent profit would be made.
Uber will get a percentage then you have maintenance and repair, fuel and Hire and Reward insurance which is eye watering. Plus you'll need the correct vehicle if you have not got one already.
I used to minicab for Addison Lee in my own Vauxhall Cavalier back in the 80s. It was great money then but hard times have made me look into it again but generally it looks like you'll be lucky to make minimum wage BEFORE your expenses.
Back in my day you got work based on your knowledge of the streets. I had already 8 years of bike and van courier experience in Central London so rapidly made it up the ranks of top earner at AL.
Nowadays the work is just given out via computer and your phone or other device. The cities and towns are awash with minicabs so far less work to go round.
Uber and AL are not bothered as they still rake in the cash from commission and car hire.
So maybe a couple of hundred quid.
Problem with Uber is that there are now so many that I would find it hard to believe that any decent profit would be made.
Uber will get a percentage then you have maintenance and repair, fuel and Hire and Reward insurance which is eye watering. Plus you'll need the correct vehicle if you have not got one already.
I used to minicab for Addison Lee in my own Vauxhall Cavalier back in the 80s. It was great money then but hard times have made me look into it again but generally it looks like you'll be lucky to make minimum wage BEFORE your expenses.
Back in my day you got work based on your knowledge of the streets. I had already 8 years of bike and van courier experience in Central London so rapidly made it up the ranks of top earner at AL.
Nowadays the work is just given out via computer and your phone or other device. The cities and towns are awash with minicabs so far less work to go round.
Uber and AL are not bothered as they still rake in the cash from commission and car hire.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58903...
Is this something to do with the legal status of Uber drivers? (Ie Uber having to treat them as employees or pay minimum wage or something - apologies I cant remember what the Court decision was)
Countdown said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58903...
Is this something to do with the legal status of Uber drivers? (Ie Uber having to treat them as employees or pay minimum wage or something - apologies I cant remember what the Court decision was)
It's to do with the fare changes making the standard UBerX rates unprofitable in many cases - that's according to the drivers I've spoken to.Is this something to do with the legal status of Uber drivers? (Ie Uber having to treat them as employees or pay minimum wage or something - apologies I cant remember what the Court decision was)
Derek Chevalier said:
Countdown said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58903...
Is this something to do with the legal status of Uber drivers? (Ie Uber having to treat them as employees or pay minimum wage or something - apologies I cant remember what the Court decision was)
It's to do with the fare changes making the standard UBerX rates unprofitable in many cases - that's according to the drivers I've spoken to.Is this something to do with the legal status of Uber drivers? (Ie Uber having to treat them as employees or pay minimum wage or something - apologies I cant remember what the Court decision was)
Good news for black cab drivers I assume....
If you want to drive for Uber, your car must comply with the Private Hire requirements of your local authority. You must also be insured for hire and reward. You can't just rock up at Uber on your 2006 BMW three series and expect to start work immediately. You will also need to have a Private Hire licence from your local authority.
After that, you may work anywhere in the UK as a Private Hire vehicle.
Uber work on the basis of demand. If demand is high their prices rise by an algorithm that works out drivers to passengers. Uber drivers don't necessarily know the area they are working in. See above.
A Hackney Carriage must carry a roof light and a meter. They are forbidden from charging more than the meter rate set by the council. They may be hailed in the street. A Private Hire vehicle may not. A Private Hire vehicle has to be pre-booked and can charge what they like. Both vehicles undergo rigorous testing every six months and both must have Hire and reward insurance. They would be wise to have public liability insurance too. A Private Hire vehicle may not have the word 'taxi' or 'cab' signwritten on it anywhere.
After that, you may work anywhere in the UK as a Private Hire vehicle.
Uber work on the basis of demand. If demand is high their prices rise by an algorithm that works out drivers to passengers. Uber drivers don't necessarily know the area they are working in. See above.
A Hackney Carriage must carry a roof light and a meter. They are forbidden from charging more than the meter rate set by the council. They may be hailed in the street. A Private Hire vehicle may not. A Private Hire vehicle has to be pre-booked and can charge what they like. Both vehicles undergo rigorous testing every six months and both must have Hire and reward insurance. They would be wise to have public liability insurance too. A Private Hire vehicle may not have the word 'taxi' or 'cab' signwritten on it anywhere.
When I stayed for a while in LA, the lady I was living with and all her mates in the apartment block all drove for Uber when they felt like it.
It wasn't their main job, they just did it for pin money in their daily drivers. Not sure what the insurance implications might have been.
It wasn't their main job, they just did it for pin money in their daily drivers. Not sure what the insurance implications might have been.
Edited by croyde on Sunday 17th October 17:07
Countdown said:
Derek Chevalier said:
Countdown said:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58903...
Is this something to do with the legal status of Uber drivers? (Ie Uber having to treat them as employees or pay minimum wage or something - apologies I cant remember what the Court decision was)
It's to do with the fare changes making the standard UBerX rates unprofitable in many cases - that's according to the drivers I've spoken to.Is this something to do with the legal status of Uber drivers? (Ie Uber having to treat them as employees or pay minimum wage or something - apologies I cant remember what the Court decision was)
Good news for black cab drivers I assume....
"Speaking to the Sunday Times, he said some of these problems can be traced back to a decision to introduce 'upfront pricing' last October, giving driver and passenger a fixed price for the journey.
Though it is meant to be fairer than the previous system of an estimated price range, drivers say they lose money if traffic is heavier than expected or if they must make a diversion.
The price is only revised upwards if they have to drive at least 40 per cent further or for 20 per cent longer than calculated."
So an Uber driver picking someone up from Heathrow and taking them home round the M25, with the chance of some heavy traffic, may feel it's just not worth it on the lower fares.
Couple that with Uber using Google maps on their app means you can book an Uber from anywhere to anywhere.
I quoted a woman for a job at £55. She said Uber were quoting £36 and she would book Uber. It accepted her booking and five minutes before her pick up cancelled the job. Unsurprisingly really because the nearest Uber operation is Bristol which is sixty miles away.
I quoted a woman for a job at £55. She said Uber were quoting £36 and she would book Uber. It accepted her booking and five minutes before her pick up cancelled the job. Unsurprisingly really because the nearest Uber operation is Bristol which is sixty miles away.
Tyre Smoke said:
Couple that with Uber using Google maps on their app means you can book an Uber from anywhere to anywhere.
I quoted a woman for a job at £55. She said Uber were quoting £36 and she would book Uber. It accepted her booking and five minutes before her pick up cancelled the job. Unsurprisingly really because the nearest Uber operation is Bristol which is sixty miles away.
Still worked great when Aer Lingus dumped me at Manchester airport several hours late and after my last train. Weather wich caused the delay at Dublin also hit Manchester. Hotels were stuffed to the rafters. I quoted a woman for a job at £55. She said Uber were quoting £36 and she would book Uber. It accepted her booking and five minutes before her pick up cancelled the job. Unsurprisingly really because the nearest Uber operation is Bristol which is sixty miles away.
Airport taxis had a 2 hour queue. Uber for the win, Manchester to Doncaster. £150 I think, which the airline eventually refunded.
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