With the rise of smartphones came the rise of a long list of ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft.
Ridesharing apps have phased out many taxi services in the United States, and some people only associate taxis with New York City today.
Curb is an app that still recognizes the importance taxi drivers play in the modern world of mass transit. With the Curb app, you can request a ride from a nearby taxi cab.
But how do you become a Curb driver, and what are the requirements?
We will look at what it takes to be a Curb driver and why you might decide to apply to be one.
Curb Basics: An Overview
In a nutshell, here’s Curb.
What is Curb?
Curb began its life in 2007 as an app called Taxi Magic.
It was and still is an app where users can find a nearby cab to pick them up and deliver them to the desired location.
Curb is excellent for those not interested in hailing cabs the old-fashioned way.
Instead of hoping a taxi driver sees you, an app will bring the cab directly to your location.
How Does it Work?
For Curb drivers, the service works in much the same way as other ridesharing apps.
You handle requests through a smartphone app, and all payments come through the app.
You will not have any shortage of work, as Curb boasts that it provides millions of trips every month.
The benefit of Curb is you always get a certified taxi cab and driver sent to you.
Where Uber and Lyft drivers do not have to get any special license, anyone behind the wheel of a taxi has taken special courses.
You are always getting an experienced driver with Curb.
Basics To Understand About Being a Curb Driver
If you are a taxi driver or just considering being one, Curb is an excellent place to look to jumpstart your career.
Applying is easy, and you will have no shortage of opportunities through the app.
Is it Safe to Become a Curb Driver?
If you are a competent driver and follow the rules of the road, driving for Curb is no more dangerous than any other ridesharing app.
Driving always carries some risks, but it is safe to drive for Curb.
If you are an independent driver, you can improve your safety by regularly checking your vehicle for any issues.
Ensure your vehicle has no problems and has an up-to-date inspection.
Driving for a living can create wear and tear on cars, so constant maintenance will keep you safe and your vehicle running.
How Much Can You Make as A Curb Driver?
This income will vary based on taxi rates in your area, but Curb takes a smaller commission than other ridesharing apps.
Job-board website Indeed lists the average salary for a Curb driver at $17 an hour.
Curb drivers can make more money by working at peak times of business.
For instance, in a city like New York, residents always need a ride from a taxi between 4 and 8 p.m.
Curb also includes a tip with a user’s purchase, so any additional tips will net you more than ridesharing apps that do not include the tip.
Drivers who have no-shows will get $5 as well.
What Does a Curb Driver’s Schedule Look Like?
Curb drivers should expect to work during peak hours before and after the typical 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday. This is when most people need rides to and from work.
Curb drivers are welcome to work at any hours when taxi services are available in the city.
Curb does not do surge pricing like other rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft. At times of great demand, the cost to ride through a rideshare app increases.
Curb uses a flat fee, meaning more people will turn to Curb during periods of high demand as it will be a cheaper option.
Where Can You Be a Curb Driver?
You can be a Curb driver in a select few cities across the country currently, including Washington D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, and Boston.
Curb is available in 30 cities, but only those cities allow the use of the Curb Driver app.
Drivers in Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington D.C. can drive for Curb whether they are independent or working with a taxi fleet.
Independent taxi drivers in New York City may not sign up for Curb and they must be a member of a fleet.
If you do not live in any of these cities, you can reach out to Curb to see how the app can still work for you.
These drivers should email them at [email protected] to learn more.
Who Can Be a Curb Driver?
Curb vets its drivers a little more thoroughly than other apps, but the qualifications are not difficult to fulfill.
Curb Driver Requirements
- Have access to a vehicle with a taxi license plate
- Have a valid taxi license for the municipality you wish to work in
- Go through Curb’s training for new drivers
- Pass a drug test
Other requirements may include a health check and purchasing taxi insurance if you are working independently.
Curb Vehicle Requirements
The vehicle must be registered and have a license to operate passenger transport, it has to be owned by the driver or leased by it.
It must be maintained in good condition, with the industry safety standards.
Cars need to have taxi license plates before you can give taxi rides to a passenger.
These are typically acquired through the state’s Department of Transportation, and the process varies across the country.
Curb Background Check
The driver will be subject to background checks and driving record checks from time to time to provide and remain an eligible driver.
Of course, it is natural to want to compare Curb to its competitors like Lyft, Uber, or Gett.
We will look at some of the differences between these platforms for drivers.
Driving for Curb Vs. Lyft
Lyft drivers typically make an average of $16 an hour, making it similar to the income of Curb.
Lyft drivers do not have to go through the same licensing or training that a Curb driver does, and they are not considered taxi drivers.
Lyft uses surge pricing, which may increase income during peak hours.
But rates fluctuate on the app, unlike Curb which charges a standard fee based on taxi rates in your municipality.
Driving for Curb Vs. Uber
Uber drivers make approximately $14.50 an hour according to data from Indeed.
This is a few dollars less than the average for Curb drivers.
Uber also charges a higher commission fee, roughly 25 percent, which is far lower than Curb’s commission structure.
Uber provides its drivers with a real-time heatmap of their city so they can better judge where the most popular locations for pickup are.
Curb does not do that, meaning you will have to learn where these hotspots are from experience.
Uber has also introduced its taxi service in Uber Taxi which works similarly to Curb.
Curb does not bar its drivers from working with Uber Taxi, meaning savvy taxi drivers can find the best deal between the two services on any given day.
Driving for Curb Vs. Gett
Gett is an Israel-based company that offers taxi services for companies to use to ferry employees across a city to the desired location.
Curb and Gett are partner fleets, meaning they often work together to handle requests from clients.
Gett drivers should expect to handle more business clientele who are heading to a work event together.
Gett also has services for vans and limousines for businesses to choose from.
How to Drive For Curb: A Step-By-Step Guide
If you meet the qualifications and are interested in becoming a driver providing rides for Curb, the process is relatively straightforward.
But we will break down each step to take any guesswork out of signing up.
Step 1: Download the App and Create an Account
Begin by downloading the Curb Driver app on your Android or iPhone.
Ensure you do not get the regular Curb app, as it is for riders, not drivers.
Once you have the app installed, open it and create an account by selecting the “Sign Up” tab.
Enter a password and email address and accept the terms and conditions.
Step 2: Confirm Your Email
You should now have an email from Curb to confirm your email address.
Click the verification link and return to the Curb app.
Sign in with the account you created to begin the process of inputting your personal information.
Step 3: Input Your Personal Information
Once you’ve signed in, any new driver will need to input their personal information.
You will need to provide your contact information, including your full name and cell phone number.
Curb will send you a text message to confirm your phone number is correct and active.
Enter the confirmation code you receive to continue.
Step 4: Choose Your Region
Choose your region when prompted and select that you wish to provide a taxi service.
Prospective drivers will then enter their mailing address followed by a profile photo for users to see when selecting their service.
Step 5: Upload Your Driving Documents
The next step is to upload your required documents.
Curb asks you to upload a picture of your driver’s license as well as your taxi license.
The app will also ask you for your license numbers, and the state they are issued in.
Step 6: Input Your Vehicle Information
You will then have to input information about your vehicle.
Curb will need a photo of the vehicle, the license plate number, and the VIN color.
With these documents and photos uploaded, you are ready for the final step.
Step 7: Set Up Payments
Drivers may choose between having payments handled through a bank account or debit card.
All standard fees apply to these methods, so be sure to pick the method that works best for you.
Once you have input this information, you have completed the application process and can wait for Curb to message you back.
What to Expect After Applying for Curb
The company will verify your documents before they allow you to take on work.
How Long Does the Curb Application Process Take?
Curb will reach out to you shortly after you complete your application.
The process often does not take much time and you will be ready to begin the app’s training program.
However, there isn’t an estimated time for them to get back to you.
What Happens if You Get Denied?
If you are denied, it could be because you do not meet all the qualifications, or there could be a problem with one of your documents.
If an issue arises, you can attempt to rectify it by fixing the incorrect information and applying again to provide rides for Curb.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be a big decision to join a ridesharing app.
We will look at some of the most common questions prospective Curb drivers have before signing up for the service.
Why should I drive for Curb?
Curb is an excellent service for taxi drivers who are looking for a more reliable way to find passengers. Instead of looking for those in need of a cab, you will be directed to them to save you time.
How do you get a car certified as a taxi?
Each state has a different process to have a car certified as a taxi. The easiest method to acquire taxi plates for a car is to contact your local DMV and inquire about the process.
How many drivers does Curb have?
Curb boasts that it has 100,000 taxi drivers using the service. They provide over 10 million rides every month across the cities that support the use of Curb.
When will my city get Curb service?
Curb is actively working with cities across the country to add services. You can find out the process for your municipality by emailing Curb support.
Conclusion: Becoming a Curb Driver
Though taxi cabs are not as common a sight as they once were in American cities, taxi drivers still have options to find work.
For independent taxi drivers or those in a fleet who feel they are not getting enough riders, Curb is an option.
The Curb app directly links drivers to riders and takes a smaller commission cut than other rideshare apps.
Have you tried Curb, or have you driven for it? Did we miss any aspects you think people should know?
Let us know in the comments below!
