A side hustle is important and even necessary today. Most of the time, the traditional 8-hour job is barely enough to meet a person’s needs.
Even in Canada, students and professionals opt to work another job for extra income. Driving an Uber is one of the increasingly popular options because of the flexibility and potential revenue it offers.
What is Uber?
Encountering too much traffic is typical in urban areas, especially during rainy or stormy days.
With this in mind, Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp started a company, UberCab. Uber is a German word meaning “above all the rest.”
The founders created this practical ride-sharing app to meet the needs of commuters experiencing a hard time getting a ride. Uber is of great convenience in locations where taxi service is inaccessible.
In Canada, Uber is very popular as a ride-sharing platform. Uber users can also request the driver to drive them from one place to another. The company recently expanded to offer luxury driving services, ride-sharing services, and food delivery.
Driver And Vehicle Requirements For Uber
Uber drivers need to meet certain driver and vehicle requirements to sign up for the job.
Requirements For Interested Drivers:
- The person should be 21 years of age and above.
- They must possess an updated driver’s license that is duly issued in the province where they reside.
- The person must be duly authorized to get a job in Canada.
- The person must be willing to undergo city-mandated Uber training and a criminal background check.
Vehicle Requirements:
- The vehicle must have a minimum of 4 seats, excluding the driver’s seat, and not less than four doors.
- The vehicle must not have been in use for longer than 10 years.
- There must be no apparent damage to the vehicle, and it must be in good condition.
- The vehicle should pass the inspection.
If you meet these requirements, you may be qualified to register on the Uber website.
Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Montreal, and Calgary have Uber, but megacities like Vancouver and Halifax do not.
Driving For Extra Income
In recent times, college students have turned to car driving with Uber to earn additional income. International students can also apply to work as Uber drivers, provided that they drive only in the province where they are studying. Their driving history must be impeccable and the car condition must be good, too.
The standard income of Uber drivers in Canada is approximately $37,323 every year, which is $19.14 per hour for new drivers, and the experienced chauffeur earns $39,832 per year. This makes it a pretty good option, especially for those looking to find a job that doesn’t require a degree.
If you live in a busy area and have time on your hands, especially during peak hours, driving an Uber would be a great way for you to earn more.
In Toronto, Uber drivers earn about 32% more than the national average, about $26.28 per hour. Driving an Uber is an incredible money-making opportunity. It will not make you rich, but it is reasonable enough for extra money.
According to research that Accenture conducted, Uber drivers earn 60% more than the current minimum wage in British Columbia. They earn 16-35% more compared to taxi drivers and sales representatives in Vancouver.
Apart from the standard rates, customers may tip you, and you get to keep 100% of the tip.
Driving for Uber is a lucrative job and can certainly help support you financially.
Uber Driving Tips
The most productive time to drive Uber in Toronto is during weekends, from 5 pm to 5 am. This is the time that people tend to get out of their houses to visit relatives and friends, or even spend some alone time away from home.
Uber drivers earn more in the afternoon until dawn. This is because there is no traffic, so they can make more trips as they reach their destinations faster. I
Depending on the landing place, drivers typically charge $1 to $2 per mile. Uber does not pay for gas consumption, car maintenance, or any damages incurred during the driver’s duty.
The Uber application is their only concern. Unlike in the case of the regular taxi or Lyft service, the operator takes care of all maintenance expenses.
Uber drivers are free to decide at what time they would start working and how many hours or trips they would like to complete on any given day. They can also make their services available 24/7.
After Thoughts
If you are in Canada and want extra income, driving an Uber will provide you with an above-average income. And the best part is that you can be your own boss. So what are you waiting for? Sign up online, submit some documents and details for screening, take your car to an inspection center for a check, and get started!
