This post aims to show you how to register as a UBER taxi driver.
It is safe to say that most of us would have heard about the popular fast growing online transportation network that is UBER.
It’s on all the social media, from Facebook to Twitter, TV, there’s even a rap song about it. Yes, that’s how popular the service has become.
It was originally founded in 2010 under the name ‘UberCab’ but was changed to Uber in 2011 after the initial success.
It is active in about 81 countries, including Nigeria (mostly in cities like Lagos and Abuja).
For those that may not be aware of this service, let me give a brief explanation of what Uber provides.
What is UBER?
Uber is a technologically-driven taxi company which helps customers hail comfortable taxis from anywhere, using just a smartphone application.
The customer downloads the app on his/her phone and when a taxi is required, just pushes a button to request one. Using a special algorithm, the app then matches the customer to the nearest pre-verified taxi and provides a fare estimate.
The app also automatically charges the customers registered card and the driver also gets paid directly into his bank account weekly, so no cash ever needs to be exchanged. After the ride, the customer receives a fare breakdown by e-mail.
Straightforward and as easy as ABC.
How To Make Money Through UBER
Uber provides just the software to connect drivers with riders, and so the company doesn’t own any vehicles. This is where partnership comes in.
By partnering with Uber, people make money on the Uber platform by driving their cars themselves and picking up Uber customers, or putting a fleet of cars on the Uber network and hiring drivers to drive them. The easiest and most affordable way to do it is to drive for yourself on Uber.
What makes this such a great earning opportunity is that you as a driver are self-employed and as such,you have complete control over what hours you work.
You can adjust your availability to suit you, and you receive customers only during your available hours. There is also no need to haggle prices with customers as fare prices are determined by the app, and are automatically calculated based on the distance and time. Uber takes a 20% commission and credits your bank account at the end of each week or month with your earnings.
How to Register as an Uber Partner in Lagos
There are three options available for registering on the network. You can register on the Uber network as:
a. A driver with no access to a vehicle
b. A vehicle owner who wants to drive
c. A vehicle owner planning to employ someone to drive
If you are registering with a vehicle as b or c, you will need a scanned copy of the following documents:
a. A 2006 or newer car in very good condition, which the company will require that you bring in for an inspection.
b. Drivers license (for ID purposes)
c. Your third-party vehicle insurance certificate
d.Vehicle inspection clearance papers.
You will then need to register online as a partner Using This Link and then select what category you fall into.
You then get access to a profile. In your profile, you will need to set up payment details where Uber can send payment to you weekly.
You can do this by going to …where you login using the same details you used to register.
Information you will need to have available:
a. Your name as it appears on the account
b.Your account number
c. Swift code of your bank branch. (If you don’t know your swift code, just ask the next time you’re at the branch)d.Tax Identification Number
d. Bank code
If you are hiring drivers to drive for you, you will need to go to your Uber dashboard, click on “Add a Driver”
Registering as a driver only
Here are the items you will need:
a. Drivers License: this can be obtained from the FRSC.
b.Lagos state drivers institute ID card: this can be obtained from the Lagos State Drivers Institute.
c.Background check: this is carried out after the driver has been accepted and has completed the training. It costs ₦20,000 but can be paid in 5 installments of ₦4,000 each.
This is to ensure that you have no criminal convictions or charges against your name, and is for the safety of passengers.
If the driver is not the vehicle owner, you will also need a contract agreement between the driver and the owner.
Registering your vehicle only
Here are the items you will need:
a. Vehicle License
b. Certificate of road-worthiness (You can get this from the FRSC)
c.Tint permit if your windows are tinted.
d. Proof of ownership
e.Comprehensive Insurance.
And others –
Certificate of Incorporation. Remember that you are self-employed, a partner of Uber and not its employee so you will need to register a company for this purpose.
You will need to be comfortable using a smart phone with GPS in addition to your local knowledge of Lagos. You can either bring your own smartphone (iPhone 4s or newer/Samsung S3 or newer).
