9 Things Every Uber & Lyft Driver Needs in Their Car

June 29, 2021June 29, 2021 onebyfourstudi

Personalized delivery driving services are blowing up across the country. What began as an alternative to taxi cabs is now an alternative to the pizza delivery guy and even a personal shopper.

There are many people who have taken the role of Uber or Lyft drivers as their primary source of income; others do it part-time. Either way, these drivers have learned a few tricks along the way.

Some of the knowledge gained is the essential things to keep in your car that make both driver and passenger feel safe and comfortable.

If you are an Uber or Lyft driver, you might already have some of these things, but you might also discover something new.

If you are thinking about becoming a driver, stock up on these essentials first.

1. One, Two, or Three Phone Chargers

As an Uber or Lyft driver, you rely on the app and navigation of your phone to complete your duties. You don’t want to be worried about your phone running out of juice in the middle of the day.

So, why the multiple chargers and not just one?

Well, when it comes to technology, one thing is true. They always seem to give out on you when you need them most. Having a backup charger is always smart.

However, since your passengers will most definitely also have a phone in their possession, you are simply an accommodating driver by having a phone charger at their disposal.

Since you will have passengers with all different sorts of smartphones, it would be wise to have a charger with multiple connectors that would work for different phones.

2. First Aid Kit

If you got a handful of Uber drivers together to share stories, I bet you could write a book based on what they shared. You just can’t be over prepared for the unexpected things these drivers face.

Whether the first aid kit will be used by you or the passengers, you’ll be glad you had it at the ready. Bandages, antibiotic ointment, eyewash, the list goes on. These items can turn a horrible day into one not so bad.

3. Dash Cam

With a string of people coming in and out of your vehicle, you will be better protected having your day recorded.

This dashcam can protect you in three ways.

If one of your passengers gets violent or destructive, it will all be caught on tape and will be easy to prosecute the individual.

Also, if one of your passengers accuses you of anything inappropriate or unbecoming, you also have documented proof of your actions as well.

Lastly, if you should ever get into a car accident while on the job, the footage from this dashcam can help prove that you were driving safely and paying attention.

Getting into an accident while driving a commercial passenger is a little different than a personal car. All rideshare drivers should have proper rideshare insurance and follow accident protocol.

Learn more about how to handle accidents while driving for Uber or Lyft here.

4. Cleanup Kit

The ugly side of being an Uber or Lyft driver is that you will be picking up intoxicated people at times. Depending on how much they had to drink, you may be dealing with some unsavory bodily fluids.

It comes in handy to have a kit handy in your car to clean up any accidents between passengers. Otherwise, you’d have to call it a night and miss out on income or risk getting bad reviews because your car smelled like vomit.

This cleanup kit should include vomit bags, latex gloves, a carpet cleaner with a scrubbing tip, spray disinfectant and wipes, and some washcloths.

5. Helpful Apps

As a rideshare driver, the logistics of your route can be a significant factor in how much money you make.

Tracking your mileage is essential in claiming tax deductions, and lining up passengers as close together as possible can pack in more profit into a day.

Aside from your Uber and Lyft apps, several apps can improve a driver’s potential earnings.

One of the best mileage apps is Hurdlr. It can be integrated with your Uber app and your bank to make tax deductions easy.

Check out this list for all the apps an Uber driver could ever need.

6. Umbrellas

The weather is unpredictable. You can prepare for this by having a couple of umbrellas in your trunk to offer your passengers to use to keep the rain off their heads.

This convenience can earn you an extra tip.

7. Bottles of Water

As the hours pass and you’ve been driving all over town, you may not be thinking about staying hydrated.

Most people don’t want to take the time to stop at a convenience store and use that as an excuse not to buy a drink.

Hydration is important in keeping a clear mind and enough energy to make it through the day. Having bottles of water inside your car already can ensure that you do just that.

You can also offer these to your passengers on hot days.