If you’re an owner-operator truck driver or shipping carrier, it can be a pain to book shipments.

While there are plenty of driver jobs available, the actual process of booking a shipment could be easier.

Connecting with shippers traditionally requires back-and-forth negotiations over rates and contracts, as well as lots of time dealing with outdated modes of communication like phone calls, faxes, and paper forms.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were technology that modernized this process, all while allowing carriers and drivers to get paid faster?

This is what Uber has created with their Uber Freight platform. Uber Freight is revolutionizing the way the trucking industry does business.

It allows drivers and carriers to connect with shippers using a convenient mobile app, transparent pricing, and easy-to-use tracking and logistics tools. It’s truly ahead of the curve when it comes to freight brokerage.

In this guide, we’re going to look at how Uber Freight works from the perspective of drivers.

You’ll learn how the Uber Freight app works, what Uber Freight pays, and how to apply to use Uber Freight.

How Does Uber Freight Work for Drivers?

Uber Freight simplifies the booking, logistics, and payment process for drivers.

Much like with the Uber driver app, registered users can browse available loads based on preferences like homebase, type of cargo, and shipping lanes.

Using the Uber Freight shipper platform, shippers post their needs and you respond to them.

You can see transparent price quotes based on carrier rates. The whole process simplifies the job search for owner-operators.

Instead of having to coordinate with individual shippers or waiting around for your carrier to send you a load, you can take action and book loads using the Uber Freight app.

You have access to a reliable network of vetted shippers with ongoing business needs, so you can stay as busy as you like.

Once you’ve booked the load and are on the road, the Uber Freight app will also let you or your carrier get real time updates on the shipment status and any changes or additions that the shipper requests.

The app also simplifies document management. You can submit Proof of Delivery right in the Uber Freight app and get paid in seven days at no charge.

Uber Freight Driver App

The Uber Freight app is what you’ll use for all Uber Freight activities. It features a clean, modern interface and automatic notifications of available shipments.

The app is available for Android, iPhone, and iPad.

Here are a few things you can do with the Uber Freight app:

1. Book a Load With One Tap

Browsing available loads is a simple process.

You can easily see the start and end destination, distance, deadhead (if applicable), and rate.

If you’re happy with the details, you can tap “Book Load” to instantly book it.

Be sure that you and your carrier are ready to transport the load, as accepting the load obligates you to transport it.

2. Get Tailored Loads With Smart Loads

The Uber Freight has a feature called “Smart Loads.”

It analyzes your history to find loads that match your preferences in terms of lanes, cargo types, and more.

When it finds a load that matches your preferences, it will automatically send you a notification.

3. Submit Proof of Delivery

Submitting Proof of Delivery is one of the most frustrating parts of transporting freight.

You traditionally had to use outdated tools or even analog methods like faxes.

Uber Freight eliminates all of that. You can submit proof of delivery in the app and get paid within seven days of submission.

To submit Proof of Delivery, you’ll need to tap “I’m Unloaded” within the app.

You can only do this once the trailer is completely empty.

After tapping this, the app will prompt you to take a photo of the signed Proof of Delivery.

Make sure the photo is clear and legible. Otherwise, payment delays can result.

How Much Do Uber Freight Drivers Get Paid?

How much can you make driving for Uber Freight? This depends on many factors.

Most of these factors are the same as with any other kind of freight-driving job. You get paid more for increased mileage. The prices are clear during the booking process.

Much like how Uber calculates passenger fares, the rates are based on market conditions. But you can expect market prices similar to what you’d find with other shippers.

The main advantage of working through Uber Freight, then, is how much they’ve simplified the process of booking loads and getting paid.

Upfront Pricing means you never have to haggle with shippers over prices – the price you see is the price you get paid.

Uber Freight jobs don’t necessarily pay more, but the increased ease of use means that you can spend more time driving and less time dealing with bookings.

The fast payments also ensure that you can maintain a steady cash flow. Instead of spending time chasing down paper invoices or going back and forth over the phone with shippers who haven’t paid.

2023 Pay & Salary Amounts

Uber has set rates for certain circumstances, though.

Uber pays drivers for detention time, which isn’t included in the rate for the load. Detention is when you have to wait for cargo to be loaded or unloaded.

Drivers earn $75 per hour for detention if they provide the correct documentation. They make $50 per hour if they don’t have all the documents they need. Uber Freight pays for up to four hours of detention, up to $300.  

Other fees include layovers at $300 per day and driver-assist at $75 per load.

You’ll receive layover pay when shippers delay you for one day or more. Driver-assist pay compensates you for helping to load or unload cargo.

The final fee is Truck Order Not Used (TONU). This fee covers your expenses if the shipper cancels the order at the last minute.

The pay is $200 plus $2 per mile deadhead.

Deadhead miles are miles traveled when you’re not carrying a load. The travel distances between dropping off and picking up are deadhead miles.

Rates Drivers Can Expect to Earn

Uber Freight uses a tool called Lane Explorer inside the trucking app. They claim this tool sets a new standard for pricing transparency.

The tool lets shippers see the market rates in their lanes for the next two weeks. They can enter a load and select a lane up to two weeks in advance.

Doing this allows them to lock in that price. The prices vary based on supply, demand, and driver availability.

Shippers enter load details, pick-up spots, and drop-off locations to lock in rates. When truck drivers use the Uber app to book load details, they see the rates upfront.

Each load has a different rate, so one rate doesn’t apply. Glassdoor estimates the average Uber Freight driver makes about $54,000 a year. They also estimate the average hourly rate at about $21 per hour.

Uber Freight drivers see rates upfront. This visible pricing lets drivers know what they’ll make if they accept a load.

Do Uber Freight Drivers Get Tips?

No, Uber Freight drivers don’t get tips as regular Uber drivers do.

Freight hauling is a business-to-business (B2B) transaction. The shipper paying for the load probably won’t be at the delivery site. Drivers in business-to-consumer (B2C) programs like Uber and Uber Eats get tips, which come from the consumer when they make the deliveries.

Uber Freight drivers receive the pay they agreed on in the app.The only other payments are detention fees, driver-assist fees, and TONU compensation.

Where Can You Be an Uber Freight Driver?

Uber Freight started in Texas, operating in metro areas like Dallas and San Antonio.

The business expanded to more headquarters in Chicago and San Francisco.

Most loads are in Texas, but operators can find jobs in some other states. California, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Arizona cities appear in the app.

The company plans to expand the Uber Freights Network across the United States. Uber Freight is also expanding to Europe.

Drivers in Texas, California, and Oklahoma can use the Powerloop program. This program provides pre-loaded trailers for drivers to pick up and drop off.

Truck drivers don’t have to wait for loading or unloading. This program saves them time and delays.

Who Can Be an Uber Freight Driver?

If you’re excited by the prospect of driving for Uber Freight, then you’re probably wondering what the requirements are for drivers.

Uber has eligibility requirements for all its programs. They have requirements for drivers, the vehicles they use, and their insurance.

Driver Requirements

You need to be an authorized carrier with a CLD (commercial driver’s license) to drive for Uber Freight.

Your safety rating must be satisfactory and not conditional.

Uber asks for your MC or DOT number when you sign up. If you’re an independent owner-operator, you need to provide this number.

You don’t need a DOT or MC number if you drive for an authorized carrier. The fleet owner can sign up for Uber Freight and assign you a load to haul instead.

As far as we’re aware, Uber freight doesn’t require an Uber background check.

Vehicle Requirements

A vehicle used for Uber Freight must be at least a 53′ foot truck.

It can be a refrigerated truck, known as a reefer, or a dry van. You can also use a flatbed.

You’ll need proof of the proper state registration and permits for the vehicle.

Insurance Requirements

Uber Freight requires proof of insurance when you sign up.

You need $100,000 cargo liability coverage and $1,000,000 general liability coverage. If you drive a reefer, you’ll also need to provide proof of breakdown coverage.

Apply to Drive for Uber Freight

How do you go about signing up for Uber Freight?

Assuming you have an MC or DOT number and are an authorized carrier, the process of signing up is as follows:

1. Visit the Uber Freight Sign-Up Page

Go to this page. You’ll need to enter your phone number.

After that, Uber Freight will prompt you to enter your full name, email address, and password.

Be sure it’s a password you can remember, as you’ll need it to sign into the Uber Freight app.

2.  Submit the Required Documents

With your phone number entered, you’ll now need to fill out information about your carrier business and truck.

To proof all the information you provide, you’ll need to submit the following:

• DOT or MC Number
• Valid certificate of insurance (COI) evidencing auto liability and cargo liability
• Bank account information (this lets Uber Freight pay you using ACH direct deposit)
• State-level motor carrier permits or registrations (if you’re an intrastate carrier)

3. Complete the Broker-Motor Carrier Agreement

Uber Freight requires all carriers to fill out this agreement that outlines the relationship and legal obligations that both parties have when working together.

Be sure to read the agreement carefully before signing it.

4. Download the Uber Freight App

Assuming Uber accepts your application, you can download the Uber Freight app and sign into your account using the email address and password you provide when you signed up online.

Note that if you’re a driver who works with a carrier that uses Uber Freight, you can still download the app and sign up.

Your carrier can also send you an invitation using your phone number.

This will guide you through the steps of signing up to use the app.

Uber Freight Driver FAQ

Now that you know how Uber Freight works and how to sign up for it, let’s address some common questions prospective Uber Freight drivers have.

What is Uber Freight Plus?

Expenses.

It is to trucking what the Uber Rewards program is to rideshare.

To be eligible for the program, all you have to do is book one load every 30 days through the Uber Freight app.

Here are some of the discounts you can get:

– Fuel savings — up to $0.20 per gallon
– Save up to 50 percent on truck parts
– Monthly discounts on phone plans
– Save up to $16,000 when buying a truck
– Learn more about the Uber Freight Plus program.

Get Started Driving With Uber Freight

Uber Freight is revolutionizing transportation management for both shippers and carriers.

As a driver, you can take advantage of this technology to book loads and get paid with less hassle. Sign up for Uber Freight to get started.