Rideshare apps have been increasing in numbers over the years.
Giants like Uber and Lyft, along with food delivery services including DoorDash and Grubhub, have dominated the industry.
Becoming a driver for a rideshare service is a great way to earn some extra money without stepping foot inside an office.
You can be your own boss, pick and choose when you work, and decide if you want to make it a full-time gig or just a side hustle.
If you’ve been considering driving for a rideshare service, you may have heard of Getme.
Its reach isn’t quite as broad as Uber or Lyft, but it’s been able to make a place for itself in the rideshare market.
If you’re interested in learning what it takes to become a Getme driver, keep reading to find out how.
What Is Getme Ride?
Getme Ride is a rideshare service based out of Austin, Texas.
The service first hit the streets in 2014.
It became a true competitor in the rideshare market when Uber and Lyft left the city after implementing new laws affecting rideshare services.
Prop 1, which would’ve allowed rideshare companies to perform background checks without fingerprinting potential drivers, was shot down in Austin in 2016.
Uber and Lyft opposed the new ruling, so they took their operations out of Austin.
When Uber and Lyft pulled out, many drivers switched over to lesser-known companies such as Getme, which was able to tap into the market in Austin fairly quickly.
From there, Getme expanded to several other regions in the US.
By the time Uber and Lyft returned to Austin in 2020, Getme had garnered a decent customer base.
How Does It Work?
When riders want to order a car, they can open the app and set their destination.
Then, they can pay either with cash or have the charge put on their saved credit card.
Riders can choose between the following options, depending on their needs:
- Economy: most affordable, seats 4 passengers
- Midsize: larger, seats up to 6 passengers
- Van: ideal for multiple passengers or a lot of luggage
- Lux: a high-end vehicle
- Tow: in case your vehicle needs to be towed
When a driver gets notified of a ride, they can open the Getme Drive app and get turn-by-turn directions to their rider.
Where Is Getme Ride Available?
The Getme Ride website claims to be available across the United States.
However, there’s conflicting information about which areas it serves.
According to the Google Play app description, it serves the following areas:
- Florida
- Texas
- Turks and Caicos
- The Bahamas
- Jamaica
However, if you enter your location on Getme Ride’s website, you’ll be better able to find out whether the service is available in your area.
For example, if you type in “Philadelphia,” a notification that says “Getme is available in your city” will pop up.
This point indicates the list on Google Play may not be accurate.
Most likely, your city has Getme rideshare drivers available.
However, since there isn’t a detailed list online showing each area Getme serves, searching for your city is the best way to find out if you’ll have access to the service.
Is It Worth It to Be a Getme Driver?
Becoming a Getme driver has its pros and cons.
You’ll need to weigh each one individually to determine if driving for Getme is for you.
Pros
Let’s start with the advantages.
Apart from being a great part-time gig to make extra cash, Getme has additional benefits.
1. Make Your Own Schedule
One of the most significant benefits of any rideshare service is picking your own schedule.
So if you’re a night owl, you can work at night.
Or, if you only have an hour or two to spare on the weekend, you can use that time to squeeze in a few rides.
2. Rate Increases
Each driver gets a base pay for every fare they pick up.
The fares go up depending on the length and distance of the drive.
That means, if you’re working during high-demand times, you’ll get a bump in pay.
3. Destinations Are Easy to Find
The Getme Ride driver’s app gives turn-by-turn directions to pick up your passenger.
This feature saves you the hassle of fussing with your own GPS navigation and allows you to stay within the same app the whole time.
4. Perks
Getme drivers have to pay their own upkeep costs, but Getme offers discounts on fuel, maintenance, and even your cell phone bill.
Getme also covers rideshare insurance, so you don’t have to.
Cons
Of course, nothing is perfect.
Be sure to consider potential downsides before deciding to become a Getme driver.
1. Scheduling Requires Discipline
Working for yourself requires discipline if you want to make your job lucrative.
That means scheduling your time wisely, being ready to go at a moment’s notice, and not being too picky about rides.
2. You’re Still Working for Tips
The tip economy has its ups and downs, and that’s especially true for rideshare drivers.
Although you’ll get a base hourly rate from Getme, a chunk of your income will come from tips.
In that case, you’ll be at the mercy of your riders.
3. Costs
Although you can make decent money working for Getme, you’re still going to be responsible for any car-related costs.
That includes standard insurance, repairs, and fuel.
How Much Do Getme Drivers Make?
Being a rideshare driver can be an excellent way to make extra cash, as long as you’re willing to hustle.
Getme drivers make a set base rate that increases with time and distance.
In other words, the longer your trip, the more you make.
In addition, you’ll also make more if you work during peak hours.
Rideshare is usually more convenient to order than a taxi.
In some places, that means you’ll pay more, but in others, you might pay less.
Getme rates vary between locations, so you’d need to enter your location and destination into their fare estimator to determine exactly how much your ride might cost.
Do Getme Drivers Get Tips?
Once the driver drops off a rider, the app will prompt the rider to tip and rate the driver.
The total amount of tip goes directly to the driver, on top of their base pay.
How to Become a Getme Driver
Getme’s eligibility requirements are relatively straightforward, and the application process is simple.
Eligibility
To be eligible to become a Getme driver, you’ll need a clean background check, a valid driver’s license, and a passing score on an online safety screening.
Vehicle Requirements
Since Getme offers different tiers of vehicles to its clients, your vehicle will need to meet the minimum requirements to qualify for its tier.
It’ll also need to have all the necessary safety features, including seatbelts for all passengers and so forth.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Sign up
Signing up to drive for Getme is a quick and easy process.
- Go to Getme’s website and create a driver account.
- Submit the necessary information to show you meet the minimum vehicle safety requirements.
- Complete an online safety screening.
- Complete a background check.
- Get fingerprinted.
Once you’ve completed the process for signing up to be a Getme driver, you’ll receive a notification when your application is processed.
If you meet all of Getme’s qualifications, you’ll be able to get started driving right away.
Getme Ride Comparisons
Getme is still relatively new to the rideshare game.
That said, it can still compete with the other big names, including Uber and Lyft.
Getme Ride Driver vs. Uber Driver
One of the most significant differences between Uber and Getme is that Getme requires drivers to have a background check that includes fingerprinting, whereas Uber doesn’t.
Uber executives believed a fingerprint requirement is an unnecessary burden to place on drivers.
Unfortunately, the lack of fingerprinting led riders to file a class-action suit against Uber regarding several thousand assault complaints.
Uber is available in more cities across the US than Getme, so riders are more likely to reach out to Uber because it’s so common.
Getme Ride Driver vs. Lyft Driver
Like Uber, Lyft doesn’t require its drivers to get fingerprinted as a part of their background check, making the background check process is quicker, easier, and cheaper for the driver.
Lyft is also available in more cities, making it more popular with riders.
However, since there aren’t as many Getme drivers, you’ll have less competition among drivers for your company.
Getme Ride Driver vs. Getaround
Getaround is a car-sharing service that allows car owners (hosts) to rent out their vehicles to people who don’t have access to their own cars.
Unlike Getme, Getaround doesn’t require interaction between the host and driver.
Instead, the person borrowing the car can pick up the car at its home location and unlock it using the Getaround app.
Getaround is also more widely-available than Getme.
It’s currently available in cities in the US and Europe.
Final Thoughts
Driving for a rideshare service such as Getme can be a great way to make some extra money.
As a side-hustle, it can be pretty lucrative.
In addition, you’ll be your own boss, which means you’ll decide when and where you work.
If you’re interested in joining the rideshare community, you should consider signing up to drive with Getme.
