Uber driver requirements

[Quickstatus]

Asking for my newly retired neighbour

What the requirements to be an Uber driver in NSW/Sydney

He has a 1 year old insured car
He also has demerit points on drivers license
Australian citizen
Whats the background check?

 

[Jurahn]

My partner signed up as an Uber driver in Tasmania last year - it took almost 5 months for all the paperwork, checks and authorisations to finally go through both Uber and Dept of State Growth here.

The Uber website shows the requirements for Sydney drivers here https://www.uber.com/au/en/drive/sydney/get-started/uberx-docs/ with a brief explanation of the background check requirement and a link on the bottom right of the page.

 

[Quickstatus]

Why did it take that long?

 

[Jurahn]

Why did it take that long?

Just a lot of to-ing and fro-ing of forms between Uber, Transport/State Growth, waiting for this, that and the other to be approved, as well as a couple of instances of Uber telling him he needed to submit a certain form to the department, who then told him no, you need to send it to Uber and THEY submit it to us, form then not submitted by Uber etc. Just the usual bureaucratic-type processes. Uber only started in Hobart in 2016, and there's nowhere near the number of drivers as in the mainland capitals, so the process here still doesn't seem to be very streamlined at all!

 

[Quickstatus]

good to know that background check are being done. My neighbour thought as much.

he has 2 demerit points left and is hoping that is not a problem.

what’s the rules with demerit points?

 

[Jurahn]

I wasn't really involved in the application process, and my partner didn't have any demerit points racked up on his licence anyway, so wasn't an issue for him, but from what I recall, you can't have more than three speeding fines in the last three years, and I think it's a big problem if any of the demerits have come from an alcohol-related driving offence or from any major offences or suspensions. Certainly wouldn't hurt for your neighbour to contact Uber and ask them, but they'll probably just tell him he has to apply to find out whether he'll be accepted, as they take a number of factors into consideration.

 

[DC3]

… he has 2 demerit points left and is hoping that is not a problem ..

Clocking up those demerit points, the whole question may be a moot point. He's on the edge of losing his drivers licence.

 

[Quickstatus]

He is putting it down to his BMW M3

 

[kyanar]

good to know that background check are being done. My neighbour thought as much.

he has 2 demerit points left and is hoping that is not a problem.

what’s the rules with demerit points?

Unless RMS have an issue with it, there are no rules. Uber doesn't ask for your traffic history (also, to be a bit pedantic, he doesn't have "2 points left" he has 10 points - you gain demerit points not lose them). As a professional driver, however, he will have a demerit point allowance of 13, meaning he'll be 3 points away from losing his license instead of just 2. However, if he's clocked up 10 demerits in 3 years, perhaps driving the general public around for profit isn't all that great an idea.

 

[Quickstatus]

Uber did ask him for his online driving record.

2 points left or 11points accumulated. Same same

but yes not the cleanest driving record

 

[Quickstatus]

Unless RMS have an issue with it, there are no rules. Uber doesn't ask for your traffic history (also, to be a bit pedantic, he doesn't have "2 points left" he has 10 points - you gain demerit points not lose them). As a professional driver, however, he will have a demerit point allowance of 13, meaning he'll be 3 points away from losing his license instead of just 2. However, if he's clocked up 10 demerits in 3 years, perhaps driving the general public around for profit isn't all that great an idea.

I’m told that offences including speed over 45kmh, drink driving is a no go for Uber

apparently there is also a NSW Rideshare Commisioner (or the delegate)who approves each application

 

[Rick93]

Unless RMS have an issue with it, there are no rules. Uber doesn't ask for your traffic history (also, to be a bit pedantic, he doesn't have "2 points left" he has 10 points - you gain demerit points not lose them). As a professional driver, however, he will have a demerit point allowance of 13, meaning he'll be 3 points away from losing his license instead of just 2. However, if he's clocked up 10 demerits in 3 years, perhaps driving the general public around for profit isn't all that great an idea.

Anyone who wants to drive for Uber, is ignorant of the options ... and the overall issues.

Uber has multiple law suites still waiting to be heard. The drivers have been known to have 'just gotten off the boat' ...

Plus, you will pay Uber 28.5% of your take.
InDrive is still on a 0% promotion.
DiDi is usually 14%, but they too are running a 0% promo.
Ola is always 15%.

of the 'main four', DiDi ( in Sydney ) has taken many pax from Uber, as they have the cheaper prices. The benefit to drivers, is greater volume, and incentive bonuses. Eg. Extra $40. when do 6 trips between certain hours on high demand days.

Drivers for DiDi, Ola and now InDrive all have to provide a certified copy of Driving Record. Not looking at anything else but DUI, or any evidence of 'reckless or dangerous' driving offences. Points left doesn't matter.

 

[Quickstatus]

you will pay Uber 28.5% of your take.

Which the rider is ignorant of. A lot believe that what was debited from their CC is what the driver gets