Many Uber drivers who can’t afford to buy cars outright prefer to hire cars, as this is the most convenient way to get behind the wheel quickly. However, hiring is only half the game. The other half is knowing how to earn maximum income during the week.
If you are thinking I will work more hours to make more income, you’ve got it all wrong.
London has thousands of Uber drivers. Not all of them achieve their earning goals every week by working more. The difference between those making serious money and those scraping by is not the number of working hours. It’s the strategy.
A driver with the right strategy can take home more than £500 a week after paying PCO car hire and fuel costs. In this article, we will discuss proven strategies to help you maximise your earnings without adding more hours to your schedule.
Choose the Right Vehicle for the Job
The car you drive plays a crucial role in the money you make. You could be driving 10 hours a day and still struggle to make ends meet. Why? Because your vehicle is limiting the opportunities you get.
For instance, driving a standard saloon only makes you suitable for UberX rides. These are often short rides with low fares. Although you will save on fuel, the effort you are putting in is simply not worth the results you will get.
Now, if you get a 7 seater through PCO car hire, you suddenly become eligible for UberXL jobs. These jobs involve longer rides with families or groups heading to airports or events. People who request these rides often need extra space for luggage and happily pay £30+ fares.
Plus, not every Uber driver can afford 7 seaters which means less competition and more earnings.
Drive During Peak Hours
If you want to maximise your earnings, you can’t ignore the importance of peak hours. These hours happen when the activity in the city is at its peak, normally during the morning and evening.
Morning peak is usually between 6 AM and 10 AM with business travellers, people who need to catch morning flights, and early holidaymakers all on the go.
On the other hand, evening peak usually takes place between 4 PM and 8 PM. During these hours, offices close, theatres open, and families head out to restaurants, resulting in high demand for rides.
Uber understands this and activates surge pricing during these hours, meaning you will earn more for the same trip. By taking advantage of this feature, you can significantly improve your income.
Reduce Fuel and Running Costs
Fuel and running costs are among the biggest expenses for PCO drivers. But they can be kept low if you drive smartly.
For instance, aggressive driving guzzles fuel and lowers the lifespan of brakes, tyres, etc. You can prevent this from happening by driving at steady speeds. The smoother you drive, the more money you will save.
If you drive an EV, then being exempt from ULEZ and congestion charges is not enough.
Adopt smart driving habits. By this, we mean charging at night or during breaks. The best scenario is to charge at home if possible, as it costs significantly less than public chargers. However, if you must use public chargers, try to avoid overpriced fast chargers unless you have no other option.
You can also use apps like PetrolPrices (for fuel) or Zap-Map (for charging points) to find the cheapest stations near you. Following these practices can help you save £60-£100 per week on fuel and maintenance.
Take Advantage of Uber’s Incentives and Promotions
Uber offers many incentives and promotions to its drivers. For instance, there are Quest Bonuses that require you to complete a certain number of trips during a specific time frame. If you successfully hit the target, you will receive extra cash of around £50, £100, or more.
There are also Consecutive Trip Boosts. These require you to complete a certain number of trips without cancelling or going offline. Doing so will get you a £5-£15 bonus. This may not sound much but if you do it a few times a day, the amount will pile up.
Lastly, there are Boost Zones. These zones are usually highlighted in Uber app and if you drive there during peak times, Uber will pay you up to 2x the normal fare.
Here’s what you should do every day:
Open your Uber app and look at all the active promotions. Plan your hours and be in the active zones. These incentives can significantly boost your income if you use them correctly.
Keep Your Ratings High
Ratings matter a lot in the PCO world. If you want to earn high through Uber car rental, your ratings must be 4.85 or higher. Anything below this will mean you are no longer a reliable choice in Uber’s algorithm. When that happens, riders start cancelling on you, and your income will take a direct hit consequently.
Here’s what you should do to keep your ratings high:
Always be polite, professional, and helpful. Even when dealing with a difficult passenger, staying calm goes a long way.
A clean car is also essential for maintaining high ratings. Cars that smell like fast food or sweat instantly put passengers off, sometimes causing them to leave negative reviews.
Forcing conversations is a big no as well.
Some passengers like to chat while some don’t. If you are carrying a passenger who prefers to scroll through their phone in peace, respect that. Forcing a conversation with such passengers could result in bad ratings.
Conclusion
Driving for Uber can be a rewarding career with the right strategy, and we have provided you with one. Now, all you need is to make the most of it, not just once or twice but every week if you want to get ahead of the pack.
So, follow the steps mentioned in this article and apply them consistently to ensure success.
