With my pick-up, I always wonder what else I can do to make extra money for new gear on my truck. Uber and Lyft classify as a modern and less expensive taxi-option. People have gathered to these websites not only for travel or acquiring a designated drive but also as an employment option.
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Can You Drive A Pickup Truck For Uber Or Lyft?
Yes, you can use pick-up trucks to drive for Uber and Lyft. There are a few ground rules you have to check off before getting the black-grey U or the pink neon saying “LYFT.” The most essential guideline is you must be able to sit comfortably (and legally) four people with your truck having four doors. Including you, there would be five people in the car. If you can sit more with the corresponding seatbelts, then you can drive your pickup for Uber and Lyft.
You would need a truck with a crew-cab, passengers are not permitted to ride in the bed of the truck. You will need a smartphone since both Uber and Lyft are mobile apps. Manual transmissions are ok, but the truck must be less than ten years old for Uber and Lyft.
In my state of North Carolina, the basic guidelines are the car must be bought after 2006 by the coast and after 2004 for all other areas. We believe your grandfather’s “old faithful pick-up” will do the job, but Uber and Lyft, unfortunately, do not.
How to get started as an Uber Driver with a Pickup?
Age Requirement: If you qualify from the basics, there are more hoops you must jump through to be an Uber Driver. You must be at least 21 years old and be an experienced driver of one year or three years if you are over the age of 23.
Paperwork requirement: Driver’s license and auto insurance from the state you are driving in. The last step will be to have a social security number and a background check to ensure you are not a serial killer.
Does it financially make sense to drive a pickup for Uber?
From the Uber website, they state a person can make around $10 to $20 an hour, which is a considerable jump dependent on the area. Uber uses the tip system and rate your driver option. While it is $2 or $5 dollars on most rides, it adds up depending on how busy you are.
A great way to get new business is to hang-out at local airports or in the party area of your city. If Uber was your part-time gig and you worked on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 pm to 11 pm with a median income of $15 per hour.
You could earn up to $300 alone (not considering extra tips). If you were tipped $5 for 20 rides, you could make $400 in a week. Calculating 52 weeks in a year, you would be able to earn $20,800 give or take depending on tips and rides provided.
How to get started as a Lyft Driver with a Pickup?
Age Requirements: Here is where things get tricky; depending on the city you live in, Lyft will decide the age requirement. If you live in busier cities, you must be 25 or older, but if you do not live in a busy city, the age requirement is at least 21.
Paperwork Requirements: Much like Uber, you need a valid license, vehicle registration, personal insurance, and state inspection of your pick-up.
What if I had a driving accident in the past?
Within three years, you can not have three moving violations like an accident, running a red light, or one violation such as reckless driving and other offenses.
Additionally, if you have driven under the influence or have been convicted of a serious driving offense such as a felony while driving. You must wait for seven years to become a Lyft driver.
Does it financially make sense to drive a pickup for Lyft?
Lyft is like Uber but seems to overcomplicate the descriptions. The amount paid calculates how long you drove your passenger plus the drive distance. Lyft wanted to highlight that you receive 100% of your tips (as you should).
You can also earn bonuses when Lyft needs you, think after big social events or busy times. I.E., The more stressful the driving conditions, the better the chance of receiving a tip.
Through perusing the different opinion forums, and websites, it seems Uber and Lyft have similar pay structures. It depends on your location and finding out which app is more popular.
The idea of creating your hours and the possibility of making extra income with your pickup is exciting; there are a few things to consider. We love our pick-up trucks, but there is one thing we have to think about; they stink at gas mileage.
Gas: With a drive-heavy role and gas not being covered, you can rack up a hefty gas bill.
As a guestimation, you will fill your tank up every two days with an average of $30 each time you refuel. In the example before, you work four days of the week as an Uber/Lyft Driver. This example does not include other roles you have and extra travel.
Example of Finances: You will have a gas bill of $60 each week, equating to $240 a month. The example said $300 per week, taking away $60 from $300, you would be taking $240 away.
We need to consider the wear-and-tear, the consequential flat tire, and insurance you will experience as a driver for the apps.
Value and Quality: Another thing to consider is the depreciation of your truck. When the time comes to trade your truck in, you will get much less than what you paid for due to the extra miles, quality, and general age of your vehicle.
Answer: It depends. You might be even out the cost of care and have a few extra dollars to spend for daily needs, but I would hazard to say that it would not be beneficial for you to be a drive as your full-time role.
What are some potential problems/issues driving for either company?
Logistics: Financials aside, there is a slew of other problems associated with driving a truck for one of these two companies.
As stated before, a crew-cab would be necessary for driving for Uber or Lyft. Meaning a larger rig would suffer in the narrow streets and tight corners associated with cities where space is at a premium. Things like parallel parking and tight spots would be a nightmare.
Passengers: It would be making it difficult to maneuver around to your customers and to get them where they need to be. The height of most trucks can cause difficulties as well since some passengers use Lyft and Uber because they are not non-disabled, and getting into the truck may not be workable. Some trucks have an additional step to help passengers into the cab, but some trucks do not.
This would become trouble for people who identify as having a physical difference, elderly, drunk girl in heels, so on and so forth. The height may also cause difficulties with intoxicated passengers, as falling out of a truck won’t leave the best impression on you as a driver.
Legal Issues: Finally, the bed of the truck may be too tempting for some passengers. Drunk individuals, whose main concern is to get to the party from point A to point B, may be tempting to try to use the bed of the truck as a handy dandy people bucket.
In most states and cities, but, this is against the law and would result in you as the driver receiving potential tickets and fines.
How to become a successful driver for Uber or Lyft?
Once you have calculated the risks and believe being a driver is financially workable, you begin by creating a non-threatening profile picture. Keep in mind; you will have all types of riders. A friendly smile will get you far in the chauffeur world.
Cleanliness: let’s inspect your truck. Is it clean? Not, “that works” clean but actually clean with trash thrown-away, vacuum the floors, and a mildly scented air-freshener never hurt anyone.
I would even go so far is to vacuum the sides of the seats as sometimes a sneaky french-fry will hide in the crevices. I would not detail your pick-up but clean as if you were about to trade your truck in. I hope you never have to worry about that day anytime soon.
Driver Themes: Some vehicles have a theme to get extra tips when picking up passengers. There have been themes such as video-games with a monitor and game console. Others will have neon lights with party music coming from the windows.
If you want to go with a theme, super! Be mindful to pick a theme that is not controversial. If not, that is a-ok, common courtesy is a sure-fire way to receive a five-star rating from passengers.
Courtesy Commodities: If anything, have a stash of last-minute supplies to get a good score. I would suggest having an “emergency” pack of supplies like tissues, band-aids, feminine products, brown paper bags, and gum—items you can give to any passengers who might need it.
I feel there are more risks than rewards if you were to consider being an Uber or Lyft driver. My fear is to have someone vomit in my truck. If you have a weak stomach like me, you have already weighed this risk. Being an Uber or Lyft driver can be helpful as making extra income and helping pay for the costs you are already paying.
Hi, I am Brad. Car Independent is your source for independent views on cars and car accessories. Whether you looking to buy a new car or something cool for your car, you have many options. My aim to help you make the best-informed choices.
