By Joy LittletonThis article is brought to you by RideShare Mechanic, get your vehicle inspected by a certified mechanic through your smartphone today!
You operate as an independent contractor if you’re a rideshare driver. That means the companies you can drive for, like Uber, Lyft, Grubhub or DoorDash, are not financially responsible for the costs you will incur during your time on the job. It’s up to you to pay your way into this career. Many new drivers with no experience in the freelance job market can be caught off guard by the recurring expenses they’re required to pay for to get started and maintain their chance at rideshare driver. It’s important for you to consider every aspect of the job before you sign up to be a rideshare driver, which means the pay potential is not the only factor to consider; how much will it cost you to keep the job? We’ll do everything we can here to save you as much money as possible on the road.
GAS
What do you call a rideshare driver who’s out of gas?
Unemployed.
Gas is the lifeblood of your vehicle, you’re not going to make it anywhere without some in your tank. Do you know how many miles per gallon your car gets under heavy use? Are you behind the wheel of the best suited vehicle for your job as a rideshare driver? You’ll buy gas relative to how much you drive, so the more you want to earn on the road results in the need to spend more on gas. Make absolutely certain you do everything you can to improve your vehicle’s fuel economy and be sure to maintain its peak performance on a regular basis. This can be accomplished by gas additives you can occasionally mix in the tank during a refuel of the highest quality gas. Check with your mechanic before you use any new products that are intended to imrpove your vehicle’s mileage and performance.
CELLPHONE DATA
Since you’re going to connect with your passengers through the rideshare app, your phone is going to be in constant use on the job. That means if your cell provider’s plan has data use limits, you stand a pretty good chance of exceeding common data caps pretty quickly. How much is it going to cost you to upgrade your plan to include unlimited data? That monthly addition to your regiment of bills and utilities should be calculated into your expenses. Plenty of drivers buy an additional phone for their rideshare work, so as not to wear out or damage their more valuable personal phone with excessive use. Check your budget and purchasing options for inexpensive plans that just might be worth consideration.
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE
It’s a good idea to have regular appointments with your doctor, even if you don’t feel sick. The same principle applies your vehicle, it needs to see a mechanic with steady regularity. If you’re taking your vehicle to the garage often you’ll learn about all the necessary maintenance required to keep it in peak performing shape. Oil changes, tires, shocks, suspension, air filters, we could go on. While some people might instinctively think “unnecessary” trips to the mechanic are frivolous and avoidable expenses, please know that it’s much better to have professionals work on your vehicle too often than seldom. If your car can’t run then you are unable to earn. Pay in to your long term success.
VEHICLE INSPECTIONS
Your rideshare company requires a new vehicle inspection before you can qualify to drive for them. Want to know the easiest way to connect with a mechanic? It’s RideShare Mechanic, an online tool used to conduct vehicle inspections with licensed mechanics through your phone. Not only does this save you gas money to drive over to a shop if you’re already up to date on your service, but it saves you time and effort since you’ll be able to conduct the inspection from anywhere you’d like.
We here at RideShare Mechanic want you to know how important vehicle maintenance is for anybody that wants to make an income as a rideshare driver. If you value your safety and the health and well being of others, you owe it to everyone to make sure your vehicle is in tiptop shape. RideShare Mechanic will save you time, effort and gas money so you don’t have to sweat the small stuff. We do what we do at RideShare Mechanic because we want you, the driver, to be safe and profitable as you transport your passengers to their destinations. While there are plenty of available auto shops in the country, there’s no easier way to get your vehicle professionally inspected than to schedule your appointment with RideShare Mechanic today.
There are sure to be more expenses you’re bound to encounter as a rideshare driver, but if you prepare for the certainties we’ve discussed today, the uncertain factors will be easier to address. Stay safe on the road.
