As an Uber driver, I get a lot of questions from various passengers, friends and family about how to behave while taking an Uber, Lyft or other ride share options. So here’s a nice little list I have put together from my personal experience in the field.
To piggyback off of the point above, don’t surprise your driver with more riders than the vehicle can handle. In many cases this is illegal, and, in all cases, this can be extremely dangerous if there is a car crash.
Where do I sit?
Sit wherever you are most comfortable, minus the driver’s seat… obviously. Uber drivers are required to keep all passenger seats open for riders. Though I have heard of a few exceptions, but it seems to be rare. If you want to sit in front, go for it. If you are alone, and feel safer in the back, go for it. The only wrong answers are a seat that is already occupied or a seat without a seatbelt.
How much do you make?
Don’t ask your driver how much they make. Unless of course, you are planning to offer them a job for more money. That’s not small talk you would normally strike up with a worker. Why do we do it so much with rideshare workers. There are a million other things to talk about.
What is a good pickup spot?
Remember to give the driver a heads up if you know your destination has a complicated or hard to see place to pull to the side. I live in a rural area and I have passed by many houses because I couldn’t see them until the last second. So, it is nice to receive early warnings to avoid hard stops or having to turn around.
Make sure that your pickup location on the app actually matches your real location. This is especially important in places like apartment complexes, college campuses and dense cities. If the GPS didn’t place your location correctly, just send a text or call your driver so there isn’t any confusion.
Choose a pickup location that is safe for both you and the driver. In some cases, difficult pickup locations are unavoidable, but if walking 50ft down the street means the driver can pull off the road so traffic isn’t being blocked and passengers can enter the car safely, everyone will be better off.
Did I do that?
Don’t make avoidable messes. What do I mean by avoidable? Anything like spilling food and drinks, vomiting because you drank too much or anything else that you personally have control. Any time a driver has to take time out their day to clean up, they are losing valuable time and results in longer pickup times for other passengers. Plus, this can result in a cleaning charge, of which is determined by Uber support, not the driver. However, don’t sweat over stuff like weather related stuff like salt and sand on your shoes in the winter time, that is really hard to control and it just part of the job.
Can I turn up the radio?
Unless given permission, keep your hands off all front seat controls. I can’t tell you the amount of times I thought someone was going to blow my speakers because they were drunk and wanted to crank the music. Simply ask the driver if they can turn the volume up or you need the heat/AC on or off. Remember, you may be a paying customer, but they are the captain of the vessel and are responsible for the safety of the passengers and the integrity of their vessel.
I’m already late for my flight, can you step on it?!
Don’t ask your driver to do anything illegal, and yes, this includes speeding. It’s one thing if a driver chooses to speed on their own, but don’t pressure a driver to go fast because you are late for something. Perhaps you should plan further ahead next time. There is also the chance you will be extra late if the driver is pulled over for speeding.
Also I can’t believe I even have to put this, but don’t ask your driver for drugs or where they can get them. Maybe they have them or know a guy, but the majority of drivers just want to get you from point A to point B with as little awkwardness as possible and this would definitely make the ride awkward if the driver is a straight shooter. (And to answer your question, yes, I have had multiple riders ask me where they can find some good, “coke.” And they weren’t talking about the soda.
Do you might if my pet comes too?
If you wish to take a pet on your ride with you, remember to let the driver know as soon as they accept the ride. That way they know ahead of time and can cancel in a timely fashion if they don’t want a pet in their car for whatever reason. This does not apply to service animals. Drivers are legally obligated to accept service animals and anything else covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
I heard you are known for great conversations?
Let’s talk about talking in an Uber. If you want to talk, go ahead and talk. If you want to sit quietly, go ahead and rest up those vocal cords of yours. There is no pressure either way. If the driver isn’t taking the hint in either direction, just address the situation so you both can find a compromise. Everyone is different after all. My best practice as a driver is to let the passenger set the tone. After all I can be shy too, but I won’t turn people down if they want to have a friendly conversation.
What’s the deal with tipping?
I would prefer to give this last one its own post, but until then, let’s quickly talk about tipping. You are not required to tip, if you were it should just be a part of the rate you were quoted when you requested the ride. However, remember that a tip can make the difference between just getting by as a driver and actually being able to make a living as a driver. Even small tips can go a long way to making a driver’s day better. So consider giving a little something to sweeten their day, especially if they do something extra for you, helping with your bags or out of the way trips.
I do plan on creating a driver edition of this post as well, to address some of the issues I hear my passengers complain about with Uber or other drivers.
Did I miss something? Or maybe you have a rebuttal to a point I made above? Let me know in the comments below, Facebook, or any other social media platform you are following me on.
