(Pocket-Lint) – Uber is a ride-hailing company that offers the Uber mobile app, using which you can submit a trip request that is automatically sent to an Uber driver near you, alerting the driver about your location. The receiving Uber driver will then come and pick you up and take you to your requested destination.
The Uber app automatically finds navigation routes for drivers, calculates distances and fares, and transfers payments to drivers from your chosen payment method, without having to say a word or grab your wallet.
Here’s what you need to know about Uber, including how it works, how to sign up, and how to use it.
Where is Uber found?
Uber is available in more than 10,000 cities worldwide. You can use it to see if it is available in your city Uber webpage.
How do you become an Uber rider?
Requirements
There are two ways to sign up to become an Uber rider: through the Uber app (iOS Or Android), Or Via the Uber website. When you sign up, you’ll need to provide your full name, a mobile number, an email address and the language of your choice.
You need to grant access to your location and provide a payment option, whether it’s a credit card, debit card, or a PayPal account. If you have set up, Uber also accepts Apple Pay and Google Pay. You need to verify your email address and mobile number before you can start using Uber.
Rider app
Can be downloaded from Uber app Apple’s App Store Or Google Play Store. The app enables you to submit trip requests. It automatically detects your location and logs GPS data.
It then matches you with the nearest Uber driver available. When a driver takes your trip, you’ll see their name, license plate, photo, rating, and a temporary alternative telephone number. You’ll be able to follow your Uber driver on the built-in map until they come with you and when on the trip, you can follow your trip in real-time and share your ETA with friends.
How does Uber work for riders?
First, download the Uber mobile app and sign up to be a rider. Once you sign up for Uber, everything is done through the app. There is no cash exchange between you and the Uber driver, so you don’t have to worry if you have enough cash to get to where you need to be.
Instead, the payment method you set up when signing up for Uber will be used to automatically pay your Uber driver once a trip is completed, whether it’s a credit card, debit card, Paypal, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
Submit a trip request
- Open Uber on your mobile device.
- Type “Where?” Wherever you go. Box
- Select a ride mode by tapping on one of the following options, which will be displayed along with their fare estimates: UberX, Comfort, Exec, UberXL, UberBLACK, UberTAXI, UberSUV, UberLUX, UberPOOL, or Assist. You can see some or all of these options depending on your location, time and sheer availability. You will also see how many people you can take.
- Choose which payment method you want to use. The mode of payment is below ride mode and your default option will be selected automatically but you can change it by tapping on it.
- Tap the “Confirm UberX (or whichever ride mode you choose)” button below.
- You will then be asked to confirm your pickup spot. Be sure to check your phone to make sure it is in the correct position. Press “Confirm Pickup”. Uber can take seconds or minutes to find a driver nearby.
- Once matched with Uber, it will take you to a screen where you can navigate your driver towards you on the map and see his ETA. From this screen, you can also see the driver’s name, license plate, picture, rating and a temporary alternative number for communication.
Cancel your trip
Sometimes you may want to cancel a ride. The Uber app will allow you to do this two to five minutes after you submit a request, but a cancellation fee may be charged depending on the city.
Follow your trip
- The driver came and mentioned in his own app that you entered the car, you will see a new map screen. You can use it to follow your trip. To share your ETA in real time, you can tap Send Status on the map screen so your contacts know you’re safe.
- When you arrive at your destination, the driver will note in his app that the trip is complete, and then your app will automatically process the payment via the payment option stored in your account.
- You can see your past trips by tapping the three lines at the top right of the Uber app, then view your trips.
Rate your driver
At the end of your trip, the Uber app will ask you to rate your driver from one to five stars. This rating will affect the overall overall rating of the driver that all riders see, thus enabling you to recommend or warn against the driver.
You’ll also be able to add a tip for your drivers and compliment them by tapping on a nice service such as a pre-set option.
What is meant by different Uber cars?
Uber offers a variety of ride options, including the ability to request a luxury car, share the fare with another rider, or travel in a specific support vehicle. Here is a definition of the most commonly available ride options
- UberX: A daily car for up to three riders
- Comfort: New wide car with top-rated driver for up to three riders
- Edit: Ride in premium high-end cars for up to three riders
- UberXL: A daily car for up to five passengers
- UberBlack: A high-end sedan for a maximum of three riders
- UberTaxi: A partner taxi cab for up to three passengers
- Intercity: Taking riders from town to town
- UberSUV: An SUV for up to five riders
- UberLUX: A high quality luxury car for up to three passengers
- UberPOOL: Share your ride with other riders and a guaranteed split fare will be charged automatically
- Help: An UberX option designed to provide extra support for the elderly and people with disabilities
What other features does Uber offer for riders?
In addition to allowing riders to request trips, the Uber app has a number of other features on offer.
From May 2019, the Uber app offers information on public transport in London, for example, allowing riders to see if there is an alternative route to home. This is especially useful if there is a surge – rising prices due to increasing demand – in the area you are in.
It is also possible to add office and home addresses to your Uber account, as well as other reserved places, such as the hotel where you are staying on holiday. It asks you “Where?” Lets choose. The destination is much easier.
You can also add “trusted contacts” to your Uber account. Once someone is set up as a trusted contact, you can share your travel status with one tap. It is also possible to add family members to your account so that you can share with them your default payment method so that you can pay your loved ones to use Uber, as well as receive travel notifications when they use it.
Split Fair is a feature of the Uber app that lets you share fares with people you’re traveling with. Before this happens a contact will have to take a split fair with you and you will be charged a small fee.
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Check your trip feature in advance, enabling you to use a pin to make sure you’re getting in the right car. You will receive a new unique PIN for each trip and you will need to share it with your driver when they pick you up to start your trip.
There are other features that we didn’t go into detail about, including Quiet mode for UberBlack and UberSUV drivers, as well as Uber jump e-bikes. You can read about Uber Jump e-bikes in our separate story, where they are available and how much it costs to use them.
There are also Uber Eats for ordering food delivery, but we’ll talk more about that at the bottom of the page.
How do you become an Uber driver?
Requirements
If you are interested in becoming a driver instead of a driver, go here Uber webpage To sign up to be a driver (it’s free). You must be 21 years of age, have at least one year of driving experience, a valid driving license with vehicle registration and insurance proof, and access to a qualified 4- or 6-door vehicle. After signing up, your driving record and criminal history will be reviewed by Uber.
Driver app
Uber gives its drivers access to a specific app. This app helps you decide how, where and when to earn. When you want to drive, open the app and tap Go Online.
You can track your earnings, decide when you want to pay (end of car trip, etc.), track profitable hotspots, reduce downtime, gain access to turn-by-turn directions, and the benefits of a rating system to help riders decide. You can pick the best driver for them.
Independent contractor / worker
When Uber was first launched, all Uber drivers were considered independent contractors, meaning that taxes, working hours, salaries, overtime benefits, and more were treated differently by various political jurisdictions around the world.
The UK Supreme Court ruled in February 2021 that Uber drivers were employees and not independent contractors, which could mean minimum wages, holiday pay and possibly other benefits for at least some people in the UK.
Uber drivers receive a weekly stipend and drive at any time of the day. They don’t have to report to the office or directly to the boss, but they do drive their own private car, or at least take a lease / rent from an Uber partner.
Insurance
All UberBLACK, UberSUV, and UberTAXI rides are provided by commercially licensed and insured partners and drivers. These transport providers fall under the commercial insurance policy as per local and state requirements.
Uber added that it offers U.S. drivers a third-party liability policy that works with their existing, personal insurance coverage. You can learn more about it from this Uber webpage.
Is there an alternative to Uber?
There are several ride-hailing services available in the App Store, but one of the most popular is probably Uber Elevator. All of these apps work almost identically, although each may offer a few unique features.
For those of you who are in London we have a special feature on the Uber option, which you can read here.
What is UberEATS?
Uber has partnered with restaurants in selected cities to offer a food-delivery service, where you can order anything from local food joints as well as McDonald’s and have it delivered to you in 35 minutes.
This is called paid service UberEATS, And has its own Android and iOS mobile apps UberEATS, which employs drivers, is available in more than 500 cities worldwide.
Written by Maggie Tillman and Britta O’Boyle. Edited by Luke Baker.
