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A smartphone and a car is all you need to drive for Uber & Lyft, right? That may be technically true, but there is other equipment you need if yo want to do the job.
Without the right gear, you risk poor ratings and lowered tips.
Here is our list of all the gear that every driver needs to do the job right.
Must-have gear for all rideshare and delivery drivers
- Phone mount
- Phone charger with cords
- Dash cam
- Cleaning equipment & vomit bags
- For delivery drivers – an insulated bag
Read on for specific product recommendations!
Phone mounts — Safe, hands-free driving
One of the number one complaints from passengers is when a driver unsafely handles their phone. Your phone must be mounted at all times! It’s the law in many states, and most passengers expect it.
These phone mounts stay in place and hold phones securely:
- iOttie Easy One Touch Mount: Perfectly position your phone with the the telescoping arm
- Beam universal vent mount – A lower-cost option that fits nearly every phone
Car chargers and power cables — Stay charged!
The Uber and Lyft driver apps quickly drain your phone battery, so it’s best to have your phone plugged in at all the times. Passengers also appreciate when you have an extra cable for them too.
- Car charger: The Anker dual charger gets the job done. Use the second port for a passenger cord, or another device
- Charging cables: Amazon Basics iPhone lightning cable, Anker USB-C cables
Dash cams — Protect yourself and your passengers
Dash cams are arguably the most important investment you can make into your own safety and financial well being. A dash cam can tell your side of the story in the event of an accident, or when a passenger accuses you of doing something.
- Mid range, around $70: CHORTAU 3″ Dash Cam
- High end, around $180: Vantrue N2
Make sure to look into your local laws about recording.
Barf bags — Be prepared for the worst
Vomit happens, especially if you drive the late-night bar hours. Be prepared!
Recommendation: Hospital-grade emesis bags. Hopefully you’ll never need them!
I was stocked and ready with barf when it happened to me. A passenger said she was going to be sick, and I was able to pull a bag from a pouch and push it into her hand right in time. Luckily it all went into the bag, and I threw it out as soon as the ride was over. Glad I was prepared!
Cleaning kit — Be prepared for small messes
Small messes are bound to happen with passengers coming in and out of your car all day. It’s good to have a basic cleaning kit on hand to pick up messes and wipe away smudges. Your cleaning kit should contain window cleaner, paper towels, trash bags, and gloves.
Back support — Reduce pain while driving
Spending long hours is hard on your back. Adding extra lumbar support to your seat can help reduce back pain, so try a small pillow or one of these lumbar pillows created for drivers.
Gear for Delivery Drivers
Many of the tools of the trade for rideshare drivers also work for delivery drivers, but there are a few unique items for delivery drivers that can help improve ratings and tips.
Insulated bags — Keep food hot, or cold
A hot bag accomplishes a lot: It keeps hot food hot, cold food cold, and helps you look more professional.
Even if a hot bag doesn’t perfectly insulate food, it shows your customer that you’re trying your best. That can lead to better tips and higher ratings.
Readers: What’s your favorite gear? What’s your go-to setup when you go out for a night of driving?
Sajan says
All those are good suggestions. I also make sure I’m stocked up with a 24-pack of Water Bottles in my trunk as well as some sort of Caffeine. These are for me, not the riders, but that doesn’t mean I won’t occasionally offer them to the riders. Especially on hotter days, it’s important to stay hydrated. I put the 24-packs of water in the trunk, which still leaves plenty of room for luggage if necessary. A caffeine source is especially good if you’re going to be driving late at night. My caffeine source of choice used to be Frappachino 4-packs, which I would also put into my trunk, but I’ve since then moved on to Mio Energy. They don’t take up any space, and are simply combined with the water we already have.
So that’s what works for me.
Doug Weathers says
I use the iOttie as well. It’s inexpensive and has that great quick-release and quick-grab mechanism. However, it’s not as stiff and sturdy as I’d like – the suction cup latch on mine keeps popping open. Fortunately the suction cup has that really gummy adhesive on it that keeps it held down even without a vacuum, so I have a chance to notice that the phone is bouncing around more than it should and can latch it down again.
I have found that cheap unshielded aux cables are super noisy, at least with my particular Scoche USB charger. I haven’t tried a different charger. A shielded aux cable works well, but they’re a little harder to find.
Uber Luber says
I give bitches the treat! Condoms in the slippies, single shot cognacs and faygo pop for the slims. I offer swisher sweets for the pimps, and mini mirrors for the hussies to get all G’d up!
Fie-Sta Rating Yo!
DougH says
Sounds like a party!
Niki says
Hahahaha I love it
TessaTNT says
Bammm! And they thought you were fake pimping it! Where’s the baby powder? Lol, you go Uber Luber!
marvin the martian says
Here is my list:
i have a Transcend DrivePro 520 dual interior/exterior dash cam, and my vehicle is equipped with backup cam.
apple and android chargers.
onboard wifi.
i have sun shades on the rear door windows
barf bags.single use hand sanitizer.
single serving snacks ( cheesits, doritos, snickers bars, mints)
8 oz. Perrier water, kept in a cooler with freezer packs, on a towel, so they are DRY.
i have a baby seat with buckle release warning alarm, and a booster seat.
i allow passengers to Bluetooth pair to my entertainment system to play their own music if they like
i have throw blankets available to passengers. the ladies with skirts love these, as the AC is confortable except on bare legs.
i load and unload packages.
when it is raining, i use an umbrella to walk passengers to nearest cover.
when transporting women at night, i wait until they are inside their door before i leave.
i leave my rear door child safety locks engaged, and i open doors for passengers. no one can jump out while the car is moving.
i am always clean shaven, and clean. i invariable wear black dress pants, polished black navy oxfords, a black tie and white shirt, (and matching jacket when it is cool) driving gloves, and cap.
COMING SOON: headrest lcd tv’s can optionally be used as a make up mirror.
DougH says
Nice list! You sound like a real pro. Bet your ratings are great.
Bsouth says
Sounds like after you pack your ride and give someone with a kid a ride your night is pretty much over
Stacy says
You sound like an Uber driver from heaven!
You are awesome!!
Little Advice says
Only thing that doesn’t sound pleasant to me is not being able to get out of the back. That would make me (a grown man) feel uncomfortable, I can’t imagine how it would make a woman feel. It’s called a child lock, if you’re using it for adults I think it’s called a rape lock…
DrivinJohnnyboy says
Wow, Marvin, I’m guessing you aren’t an uberx driver. Your presentation, setup and attitude sound very professional. But as Little Advice mentioned, the locked door gives me pause. As a passanger, I would be freaked! And the wonderful experience would be totally gone.
Also
Are a couple dollars towards disposable amenities worth the investment? Are these the norm for anybody else?
Matt says
I use the magic mount. It’s sleek, low profile and stays perfectly in place using a magnet. Battery life isn’t affected at all and I like that it’s not bulky or distracting if my phone isn’t mounted. It’s adhesive and has a large range of motion so it’s easy to place anywhere on the dash.