Uber Driver App Explained: Features & How To Use In 2023

During the pandemic, the Uber rideshare service expanded into a lucrative food delivery service.

According to the Associated Press, Uber’s food delivery bookings exceeded ride bookings by $2 billion by the fourth quarter of 2021.

The need for drivers has exploded so profoundly, that they now list New York City taxi cabs in their Uber Driver app.

This long-time rivals’ partnership demonstrates the profound impact Uber drivers have. They’re needed not just in large cities like New York or Los Angeles, but all over the United States.

There has never been a better time to become an Uber driver. Use the Uber driver app to navigate to pickup locations and track your earnings in real-time.

Experienced drivers know that the Uber Driver app takes a bit of getting used to. And with recent updates to the app, it may seem a bit daunting to navigate at first.

Let’s take a look at the sign-up process, key app features, and getting paid using the rideshare app.

What Is the Uber Driver App?

The Uber Driver app is the mobile application that all of the company’s rideshare and delivery drivers use to manage trips, earnings, and their driver account.

Regardless of whether you’re an UberX driver, Uber Eats courier, or something in between, this is the platform you need to newly familiarize yourself with — even if you were a rideshare driver in the past.

While Uber has offered a driver platform since its early days, the current application is actually quite different from what it was just a few years back.

Starting in mid-2018, Uber completely overhauled its old driver platform in favor of a new driver app — the one that all contractors are using today.

Created based on the feedback of real Uber drivers, this new app includes many of the features that the company’s driver-partners have long asked for.

Thanks to this, you’ll have a platform that’s truly built for you.

Uber Driver App Features

Once you download the app and log into your account, the home screen is the first thing drivers will see.

Although it’s easy enough to accept and cancel rides because of its clean user interface, it has a ton of additional features which are useful but may not have been explained thoroughly during a new driver’s onboarding session.

Overview:

Once you download the app and log into your account, the home screen is the first thing drivers will see. It contains the following:

1. Map with SURGE Areas

This is a basic map that tells drivers which areas are currently experiencing SURGE pricing.

Uber incentivizes drivers to travel to the busiest surge zones by multiplying their base fees.

Different locations in the map are filled in with varying shades of yellow, orange and red. These are areas where there is an increased demand for drivers.

If you click on the lightning bolt icon present on the top of the map and zoom into any of the shaded regions, you can see which surge multiplier (1.3x, 1.5x, 2.2x) applies to the base fare of which area.

As you approach these shaded areas, you will start receiving requests. Accepting ride requests in SURGE areas results in extra income.

However, unlike the rider version of the app, this won’t tell you how much competition is present around you. For that, you will have to log into your Uber passenger app.

Drivers should be careful not to go in areas that already have a cluster of drivers; this will lessen their chances of booking a ride.

Related Content: SURGE Pricing: What It Is and How It Works

2. Uber Destination Filter

Destination filter allows you to receive trip requests only from the route leading to your destination (like your home).

Sometimes when you are going somewhere specific, you might feel like giving a few rides, without changing routes, for quick extra cash.

This app filter essentially allows you to set your app to only take rides going to or near a destination you specify. It’s great for getting one more trip in before going home!

Uses are limited to twice a day, and regardless of how many trips you make along your way, it will only count as one destination use, unless you change the destination.

When this feature is turned on, your number of incoming requests will decrease and the time between each request will be spaced out a lot.

Even if you aren’t providing any rides but have a destination set, the app will automatically give you the turn-by-turn directions to your destination.

Feel free to turn this off by tapping on “Hide”

3. Go Online

If you haven’t received any requests in a while, swipe right at the top of the app to make sure you’re online. If you can’t mark yourself online, there are several reasons why:

• Your license or documentation has expired.
• Location-sharing is off.
• Network connection instability
• Traveling outside of the city you signed up for
• The Uber driver app needs to be updated.
• Your account is frozen because of an accident or complaint.

4. Alerts Tab

Alerts let you know when and where the busy locations are. Tap on an alert to lock in the location and let the app take you there.

The driver app announces alerts when receiving a new ride request, if a trip has been canceled, pick-up or drop-off changes, and information about your next rider. When you receive a message from a rider, you’ll receive an alert as well.

Keep the volume turned up on your alerts while driving. Check your notifications to confirm they pop up when you’re not driving. Alerts can be read to you while you are driving so you can keep your eyes on the road.

5. Status bar

When you’re in a busy location, the status indicator at the bottom of your screen will alert you. Keep an eye on the status bar to make more educated judgments on whether to stay in one place or move.

6. Trip Planner

Tap the arrow at the bottom left of your screen to open the trip planner.

The trip planner helps you make decisions by showing potential earnings by the hour. You can easily see any available bonuses or promotions.

Set the type of request you want to accept to maximize your earning potential. Set yourself as an available Uber Black to make yourself stand out among standard UberX drivers.

7. The Earnings Tab

The Earnings Tab is where Uber drivers can keep track of how much they’ve earned so far.

It displays the payment by weeks, days and even trips.

The payments showed are estimated net fares, which means it’s the amount you will make after Uber and other operational fees get deducted.

It might not exactly match with your final payment statement. The graphs displayed in the earnings section shows your earnings by weeks.

When you tap on the earnings of any week, it should break down by day.

Trip history lets you see how much you made in your recent trips, and with Pay summaries, you get a detailed breakdown of how much you made in any given week, day or trip.

Every Monday drivers get an email notification to your email address with the pay statement, and the earnings get sent to your bank account via direct deposit.

8. Promotions

It contains announcements for upcoming time-sensitive special opportunities like one-time incentives or incentive increases.

However, it doesn’t list all the active promotions.

Drivers should check the Uber social media accounts and any of their Uber-related Facebook groups for details on promos.

The listed promotions and offers differ by the city, and it will change every week. So if there is a specific offer you are looking for and you don’t see it listed, check back later.

9. Invites

Uber has a referral program that rewards drivers when they refer new users to their platform.

This section will contain your driver referral link, and when your referral registers for an Uber driver account, they should use this code.

This is also the section where you will be able to see how far along your referrals are through the process of signing up, and how much bonus you will receive if they successfully sign up and complete a specific number of rides.

The bonus amount varies by city.

If you find one of your referrals stuck on a step, you can send a personal email from within the app asking if they have any questions that would help make their sign up process faster and easier.

Related: Uber Driver Referrals: How They Work and How to Use Them

10. Trip History

Here’s an important tab to keep an eye on.

This tab lists a driver’s trip history including the rider’s name, their destination, SURGE pricing, and the driver’s earnings.

Drivers can also report errant riders through this tab, or open up a trip-specific dispute with support.

11. Pay Statements

This tab contains a summary of all payments received.

It’s a good place to keep track of payments to make sure they line up with your records.

How to Install the Uber Driver App

Many users are familiar and comfortable with the Uber app for riders. But you may be unaware that a second, dedicated app exists for drivers.

You have the option to switch the Uber app for riders over to “Driver” mode. For advanced functionality, we recommend downloading the Uber Driver app instead.

For Android users

Android mobile devices running version 5 or higher can download the Uber Driver app.

Where to find the app: navigate to the Google Play Store or click the Google Play icon. Tap on the search bar and type in “Uber.” The app you’ll be downloading is called “Uber-Driver: Drive & Deliver.”

Download: Tap the Uber icon and then tap Install.

Installing: Your device will show you when the app has been downloaded. Tap “Open” to launch the Uber driver app.

Create an account or sign in:

• Tap the Continue button when you are welcomed to the Driver app.
• Enter your phone number or email address and tap Next.
• Enter the 4-digit code Uber sends to your phone via text or email and tap Next.
• If you already have an account, tap “Login with a password.” Fill in your password and tap Next.

For Apple users

Apple mobile devices running iOS 13.7 or later can download the Uber Driver app.

Where to find the app: Navigate to the Apple App Store or tap the App Store on your iPhone. Tap on the search bar and type in “Uber.” The app you’ll be downloading is called “Uber-Driver: Drive & Deliver.”

Download: Tap Get and then tap again to install. The app icon status will say “Loading” until installation is complete.

Installing: When the app has been downloaded, tap the play arrow in the App Store or locate the Uber app on your device. Tap “Open” to launch the Uber driver app.

Create an account or sign in:

• Tap the Continue button when you are welcomed to the Driver app.
• Enter your phone number or email address and tap Next.
• Enter the 4-digit code Uber sends to your phone via text or email and tap Next.
• If you already have an account, tap “Login with a password.” Fill in your password and tap Next.

Signing Up (for Apple and Android users)

• On the “Sign up to Drive” screen, choose your city. Tap continue.
• Choose how you’d like to earn with Uber. Tap to highlight one of the options, which may include:
  • Provide rides and/or deliver packages with a car.
  • Give rides with a car
  • Delivery by car
  • Delivery by bicycle
• Click continue
• On the background check screen, enter your information like name, license number, zip code, and social security number.
• Click “Continue” and follow the prompts to submit your information.

How to Use the Uber Driver App

Now that you read the basics of the Uber driver app, you can log in and start accepting bookings.

Let’s go over how to complete Uber requests and get paid.

1. Complete Uber Requests

Accept and complete bookings

Once you’re ready to accept bookings, tap “Go” on the main screen. When you are set to be available, requests will appear shortly after.

Requests appear on your screen with information about where you’re going, how long it should take, and how much money you’ll earn. Review all of the information within 15 seconds and tap to accept the request. Or let the time run out and wait for another request.

How to use the navigation

Choose a navigation app

You can use Uber’s driver’s in-app navigation system to arrive at your destination. Some drivers prefer to keep using the Uber platform because it gives you step-by-step navigation on a set route.

Other drivers might use a different app that they are already familiar with. If you use Google Maps, Apple Maps, or Waze, the app will generate real-time data while you drive.

These alternate apps will not provide you with a predetermined route. These applications assist you when traveling by suggesting other routes to avoid expected traffic or diversions. You can request the app calculate routes that avoid highways or take the shortest route.

Arrive at the pickup location

Upon arrival at your destination, confirm the identity of the person you’re picking up. (Or, in the case of food delivery, confirm that the order is correct.) Then, slide the prompt on your phone to continue your trip.

Keep in mind that you can message the rider within the Uber driver app. Contact them at any point to get more details, confirm the pick-up location, or update them if your arrival time has changed.

Arrive at the drop-off location

Once you deliver the passenger or food order to the drop-off location, slide the prompt on your phone. This indicates the trip is complete.

Rate your customer

On the next screen, you can rate the experience with your customer between 1 and 5 stars. Then mark yourself as available to accept another request.

How to Get Ratings

After the trip, just as you rated your customer, they are prompted to rate their experience with you. The rating system is anonymous on both ends. Provide the best customer service experience to get higher star ratings.

Some drivers provide extra incentives to their passengers, such as hand sanitizers, phone charging stations, or complimentary mints. It’s not a terrible idea to ask them to give you a 5-star review if they had a good experience.

To find your ratings and feedback, tap the menu icon and then tap on your picture to view your profile. Ratings are based on the average of the last 500 trips.

2. Get Paid

Earnings Section

On your home screen, tap on the fare icon. Then swipe right to see all of your earning activities from the last week. In the earnings section, you’ll find information about base pay and tips. If Uber reimbursed you for tolls, that data is displayed here, too.

Every week, your money is direct deposited. So make sure that your bank connects to the app. Tap the menu, and then tap Payments to fill in your bank information.

When you’re in the menu, tap Earnings to cash out. If you don’t want to wait for the weekly deposit, you can have your money transferred immediately for a $.50 fee.

Trip history section

The trip history section breaks down earnings and fees per trip. Trip history includes the distance you drove and the time it took to get there.

Section of the pay statement

Within the pay statement section, you can see exactly how much money you’ll receive.

The breakdown of information for the week includes:

• Fare
• Surge
• Fair adjustments
• Boost
• Uber fees
• Toll reimbursement
• Promotions

This section also tracks how much time you spent online and how many trips you completed.

How to Complete Uber Requests

Once you’re logged into your Uber Driver app, you can start planning out your trips and completing requests on your own schedule.

We’ll explain how to do so on the platform.

Planning Trips

Before you officially start your work day, you can first head to the “Trip Planner” section of your driver app to see the earning opportunities ahead of you.

Simply tap on the arrow icon, located on the lower left-hand corner of your homepage, and your Trip Planner will fill the screen.

This unique feature allows you to see your potential earnings by the hour, based on real-time information.

This is also where you can find any promotions you’re currently eligible for, so you can maximize your earnings.

If you ever want to update the types of requests you want to accept — for example, if you want to stop receiving UberX requests and focus on high-paying Uber Black trips on high-demand holidays like Valentine’s Day — your Trip Planner is the place to go.

In this section, you can update your “Driver Preferences” and select or deselect trips based on what you’re eligible for.

Another easy way to plan your day? Use the heat map on your home screen to see where demand is highest, so you drive over and take advantage of surge pricing.

Accepting and Completing Requests

When you’re ready to get requests, just tap “GO” on your home screen to show Uber that you’re available.

As long as there’s demand in your area, you should start receiving requests soon.

When you receive an offer, you’ll see where you’re headed and how much you’re earning upfront.

If you find your guaranteed earnings to be worth the estimated time, you’ll have 15 seconds to accept the trip.

Once you do so, you can use Uber’s in-app navigation to get to your assigned pick-up location.

However, many drivers choose to switch to third-party navigation apps like Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps, as there’s no set route you need to take.

Upon arrival at your pick-up location, make sure to verify your rider’s identity or confirm that your food order is correct before you continue with the rest of your trip by sliding the prompt in your Uber Driver app.

This will allow you to start navigating to your assigned drop-off location.

Once your passenger drop-off or food delivery is complete, slide the trip completion button on your app screen to rate your customer and continue getting more on-demand requests.

At any point during your trip, you can contact your customer on the current trip page to give them updates or clarify details about a pick-up.

Some trips may be slightly different.

For example, UberPool trips require more than one pick-up and drop-off location, while airport trips usually have specific instructions regarding waiting, pick-up, and drop-off areas.

However, the basic process will remain the same and your Uber Driver app will provide all the prompts you need to complete trips successfully.

Managing Earnings

Keeping track of how much you’re actually making is easy on the driver app.

Just tap on the fare icon on your home screen and swipe right to see your earnings.

You’ll see details about your base trip earnings, your tips, and even any toll fees you’ve received reimbursement for.

If you need to update your bank account information before your weekly direct deposit, just tap on your Uber Driver app menu on the top left corner of your homepage, then select “Payments.”

You’ll be able to fill in your account details as needed.

If you want an immediate cash transfer, you can select your “Earnings” tab from the app menu instead.

Here, you can tap “Cash out” to transfer your earnings to a linked debit card for a 50-cent fee.

Getting Driver Support

When you run into a problem while driving or catch an issue with your payments later on, the Uber Driver app makes it easy to get support.

How to contact Uber

If you have questions about your account or need assistance as a driver, contact Uber right through your app.

• Tap on the menu icon and then press Help.
• Look through a list of common problems to find a similar issue.
• Tap on a question to see what kind of support is available. Support options may include a chat with support, getting help in person, or calling support.
• If you don’t see your question listed in the common problems, tap Call Support.

Contact Uber support

Contact Uber support either through the app, as instructed above, or get phone support if you need to talk to a representative.

If you contact Uber support through help.uber.com, they will respond to your question within 24 hours, both on the phone and via email.

Where to find the help center

Whether you need in-person assistance or want to see if you can discover the solution quickly on your own, Uber provides a variety of options for getting the help you need.

Online help center

To view a list of commonly requested issues and concerns for drivers, go to Uber Help. Sign in first if you have any questions regarding your account or profits.

Uber Help aids by answering frequently asked questions regarding a variety of topics:

• Help with a trip
• Account and app issues
• Customer and merchant issues
• Payments and earnings
• A guide to driving and delivering
• Help with a found item
• Safety
• Booking appointments
• Accessibility

In-person help center

A Greenlight Hub is available for in-person appointments in 36 locations. The Greenlight Hub provides health, safety, and general assistance.

The Hub is only accessible by appointment, which you may make using your Uber app.

• Open the app and tap on Help.
• Tap to book an in-person appointment.
• Look through a list of common problems to find a similar issue.
• Schedule an appointment to talk with someone in person at a Greenlight Hub.

Greenlight Hub provides free PPE supplies to its drivers. Make an appointment if the Hub is available in your city. If you decide to visit, make sure to wear a mask.

How to report issues or accidents

To report issues or accidents, tap on the menu button in the driver app. Then tap on Trip Issues and Adjustments.

• Accidents: If you were in an accident, tap on “I was in an accident.” A representative from Uber will reach out to you for more details once you report it.
• Issues: If you want to report an issue with a rider, tap on “Issue with a rider.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you know how to navigate some of the most important features of the Uber Driver app, you can manage your ridesharing experience with ease.

Here are a few frequently asked questions to help you better understand the rideshare driver app:

Use Your Driver App With Ease

The Uber Driver app provides a unique experience especially built for rideshare and delivery drivers like you.

The platform may require a bit of getting used to, but after a bit of exploration and the completion of your first trips, the in-app navigation should make complete sense.

As one of the earliest driver apps in the gig economy, this mobile platform definitely makes earning money easy and more accessible.

Want to learn about another driver app that you can start earning with? Get our complete guide to the Amazon Flex app to make money with package and grocery deliveries.