Key Takeaways
- Uber Greenlight Hubs provide in-person support for drivers on account and driving issues.
- Located in major cities; find them via Uber app or website.
- Post-COVID, about 40% permanently closed, reducing availability.
- Bring necessary documents and phone for efficient support during visits.
- What Is an Uber Greenlight Hub?
- Where Are Uber Greenlight Hubs?
- Are Uber Greenlight Hubs Open Post-COVID-19 Pandemic?
- Do I Need an Appointment to Visit an Uber Greenlight Hub?
- Alternative Option: Use a Virtual Greenlight Hub
- What Should I Bring With Me When I Visit an Uber Greenlight Hub?
- Inside a ‘Greenlight Hub’
- Wrapping Up
What Is an Uber Greenlight Hub?
An Uber Greenlight Hub is a location where Uber drivers can receive in-person support for issues related to their accounts or driving for Uber.
These hubs provide services such as assistance in setting up an Uber account, signing up for promotions, addressing queries about payments and fares, and offering support with using the Uber app.
They also help resolve various issues that may arise while driving, such as help with switching vehicles, arguing driver deactivations, and more.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
As a note, a Greenlight Hub can expedite certain processes like account activation or updating vehicle information, but it does not appear to affect the background check process, which is a common delay in account activation.
Where Are Uber Greenlight Hubs?
Uber Greenlight Hubs are located in major metropolitan areas across the United States and Canada.
These include cities like Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas-Fort Worth, Daly City, Denver, Houston, Long Island City, Los Angeles, Miami-Dade County, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle, just to name a few.
To find a Greenlight Hub near you, use the Uber driver app by tapping on “Greenlight Hubs” in the “Support” section, visit Uber’s website, or search for your city name plus “Greenlight Hub” on Google.
If your city doesn’t currently have a Greenlight Hub, Uber is continually expanding, so one may open in your area in the future.
Are Uber Greenlight Hubs Open Post-COVID-19 Pandemic?
Yes, some Uber Greenlight Hubs are open post-COVID-19 pandemic, but with significant reductions.
About 40% of these hubs were permanently closed as part of Uber’s cost-cutting measures due to the pandemic’s financial impact.
This means fewer hubs are available, leading to longer travel times for drivers to reach them, increased wait times, and potentially less effective support.
Brett’s Take: Thoughts From an Expert
I learned about the closures that hard way – don’t make the same mistake that I did!
I was recently having an issue with my Uber driver account, so I needed to talk to somebody at my local Greenlight Hub.
I was under the impression that many Greenlight Hubs closed down after the pandemic, so I opened a chat through my Uber Driver app and asked a Tier 1 support representative if the hub was still open.
They suggested it was, and gave me the address – the same Discount Tire that I had been to many times before. The location was on Google Maps, as well as suggested to me directly by support, so I headed that way.
When I got there, however, I learned that it was closed and hadn’t opened back up after the pandemic. I left frustrated, having wasted an hour of my time driving there any back.
I also left disappointed, because my favorite Greenlight Hub support representative no longer worked there. Every time I had an issue he’d go really far above and beyond to help.
Now, these passionate reps have largely been replaced by overseas reps who give canned responses and really aren’t that helpful. Hopefully Uber will realize this and turn things around.
My suggestion: find out where your local Greenlight Hub is supposed to be, and then call the number before you go. Had I done a bit of fact-checking before I drove there, I wouldn’t have wasted a trip.
Do I Need an Appointment to Visit an Uber Greenlight Hub?
In the past, you didn’t need to make an appointment to visit a Greenlight Hub. You could simply drop by during their hours of operation, and somebody from the Uber team would help you.
Now that we’re post-pandemic, Uber has appeared to take some cost-cutting measures and things have changed.
I have heard from drivers in large in cities where these Hubs still exist – like New York City and Los Angeles – that they are having difficulties getting an appointment.
Walk-ins were previously generally discouraged as a way to effectively manage time, but now in order to get help, an appointment is required. But they’re reportedly hard to get.
How to Book an Uber Greenlight Hub Appointment in the Uber Driver App
When you do want to book an appointment at a Greenlight location, you can do so inside the Uber app. Here’s how to do it.
- Open the Uber driver app and tap on “Greenlight Hubs” inside the “Support” section.
- Tap on the location you want to visit.
- Scroll down and tap on “Schedule an Appointment.”
- Select the issue that best matches what you need help with.
- Select a date and time that works for you.
- Enter your contact information.
- Review the details of your appointment and tap on “Submit.”
Uber will send you a confirmation email once your appointment gets booked into its system.
Alternative Option: Use a Virtual Greenlight Hub
If a Greenlight Hub has closed down in your city, like mine has, you might have the option of booking an appointment at a Virtual Greenlight Hub.
After doing a bit of digging, I found that I have the ability to schedule a virtual appointment within my app.
It is reported that this was selectively available before the pandemic, but now, this option seems to be less visible or available. This can lead to some confusion among drivers in different markets.
To schedule a virtual appointment, open your Uber driver app and navigate to the “Help” tab.
From there, tap “Contact Support”.
You’ll see a list of options. Select the most relevant one to your issue. If not relevant, just select one anyways to get to the next screen.
Now you should see an option that says “Schedule an appointment.” Tapping this will pull up a large calendar with a bunch of time slots.
After scheduling a virtual appointment, you’ll receive a notification in your driver app, as well as an email confirmation that looks something like this:
To join a virtual Greenlight Hub appointment, you’ll simply click a video link which takes you to a Zoom screen.
During the call, a real-life person from Uber will walk you through your issue and try to find a solution.
During my appointment, I found the rep that I was paired with to be friendly, helpful, and speak fluent English. While not as helpful as the previous person at my local Discount Tire’s Greenlight Hub, the person I worked with was a lot more helpful than Tier 1 support reps.
Related: 5+ easy ways to contact Uber support
What Should I Bring With Me When I Visit an Uber Greenlight Hub?
To ensure a smooth visit to your local Greenlight Hub, it’s essential to be well-prepared with the necessary documents and items. Here’s what you should bring:
- Vehicle Ownership Documents: This includes items like your car registration card, to prove that you own the vehicle you’re using for Uber.
- Insurance Proof: Carry proof of insurance for your vehicle that’s approved for Uber use.
- Bank Details: Have your checking account routing and account numbers handy, especially if you’re setting up direct deposit payments.
- Relevant Documents: Any other paperwork that might be pertinent to your issue should be brought along.
- Pen and Paper: These are useful for jotting down important points or instructions from the support staff during your meeting.
- Driver’s License: Always required when driving for Uber, and often needed for verification purposes at the Greenlight Hub.
- Your Uber Smartphone: Bringing the phone you use for Uber allows the support staff to quickly access your Uber account and troubleshoot any app-related problems more efficiently.
Phone You Use for Uber
If you bring the smartphone you use when driving for Uber, the Uber support staff can easily access your Uber account on the Uber app.
It also makes it convenient when the support team needs to troubleshoot any app-related issues you’re experiencing.
Inside a ‘Greenlight Hub’
Many Uber Greenlight Hubs use Jiffy Lube as their location.
For example, Uber drivers in the Bakersfield, CA area have a choice of three Jiffy Lube locations when they need to visit a Greenlight Hub.
- 800 Oak Street Bakersfield, CA 93304
- 3727 Auburn St Bakersfield, CA 93306
- 550 Tucker Rd Tehachapi, CA 93561
Let’s take a look at what happens if you’re visiting the Greenlight Hub at the 550 Tucker Rd address in Tehachapi.
When you drive up, you’ll notice a little red office sitting next to the main structure that vehicles drive through when conducting an oil change.
Walk into the office and let the staff know you’re there to get help from the Uber customer support staff.
Talk to the Uber team and let them know what you need.
The person helping you will ask to see your phone with your Uber app open.
Using this method, they can quickly identify you and start helping you through your stated issue.
If you’re there for a vehicle inspection, for example, you and two staff members will walk out to your car.
They’ll ask you to sit in your car while you turn on and off the lights and test the brakes and windshield wipers.
If you’re there for paperwork issues, such as vehicle registration or account setup, then you’ll stay in the office while your team member helps you out.
Once you’re done with your visit, you’ll drive off the lot and start making money on your next Uber passenger trip.
Wrapping Up
Now that you know all about Uber’s Greenlight Hubs, feel free to drop by your nearest Uber Greenlight Hub location.
Tell the staff what you need assistance with, and you’ll soon have it all wrapped up.
