Question Of The Day: Is Being An Uber Driver Worth It?

Question: I intend on driving on the weekends. I have a car that meets their standards for my area and I’ve just been notified that I’ve passed their background check. Is it really worth it though?

Driving for Uber, the get-a-ride service that’s giving the traditional taxi industry a run for its money, is probably one of the most popular side hustles in the country. With website jargon like, “Got a car? Turn it into a money machine,” it’s pretty hard to resist the idea of driving your way to a little extra pocket change.

So, to help you decide if joining the world of Uber is worth your while, we went straight to the source for advice: current and former Uber drivers.

“I decided to do Uber because I thought it would be a good break away from sitting in front of a computer all day,” says Peris Meeks, a Los Angeles-based freelance web developer who’s been driving for Uber for about two months. “I also needed an extra form of income, and I thought it would be a good, flexible alternative to a 9-5 (job).”

Flexibility is perhaps one of the biggest draws to becoming an Uber driver. They set their own schedules and put in as many hours as they like. And becoming an Uber driver is relatively easy. Meeks simply signed up online, submitted his license, registration, proof of insurance, and pictures of his license plate, and then arranged to have a free local auto inspection to insure that his car met Uber’s safety requirements.