If you’re sick of your 9 to 5 and want a more flexible approach to making money, becoming a driver might be the way to go. And all you need is a car and a smartphone.

This is made possible with Uber. They allow anyone to sign-up to be a self-employed driver, using their smartphone app to take orders. A recent news report claimed Uber is driving taxi-drivers out of business in Victoria. Many people are choosing to go with Uber drivers for a cheaper ride.

If you want to get into the business of Uber driving, here’s some things you need to consider.

Prepare Your Car

You’ll be using your car a lot, so make sure it’s ready for the long drives.

First of all, make sure you contact a car servicing company to ensure your car is up to scratch. They can check all of the components of your car are in good working order and get your car in the best shape. You might need servicing and repairs more regularly, so keep one in your contacts list.

Get your car washed and make sure it is clean and tidy on the inside. Customers will not want to ride again if your car is unpleasant to ride in, and you might even get more tips. It’s also a good idea to keep plenty of change in your car, as passengers will often pay in notes.

Your car is the most important part of being a driver, so keep it in the best possible condition at all times!

Charge Up Your Smartphone

Now your car’s ready, the next most important thing for being an Uber driver is having a good phone. You’ll need your smartphone to take orders regularly, so make sure it’s suitable for the job.

You’ll need good data services to be able to access the internet from anywhere. If you aren’t already on a solid 3G or 5G service, you might want to upgrade to a better contract. After all, you might not be able to access Wi-Fi when you’re driving all over town.

Also make sure to keep your smartphone regularly charged up. Investing in a phone charger for your car is a good idea. It can also be wise to carry a spare battery, just in case you need some extra charge.

You’ll need your smartphone on to take orders in the first place, so keep it charged and ready.

Other Considerations

All you really need to become an Uber driver is your car and smartphone, so the process of becoming one is fairly simple. However, there are some other things you should take into consideration.

You’ll be self-employed, so different tax rules may apply to you. Make sure to look up the tax laws for self-employed contractors in your country.

After every trip, passengers will rate you as a driver on the Uber app and vice versa. Make sure to always keep a friendly and professional attitude, as bad ratings can have a negative impact on your business.

How much money you make depends on how much work you take, so be prepared to grind if you want to use Uber for a living.