How long does it take to sign up for Uber in New York City? Are there any costs involved? How can I get started driving the fastest possible? Uber provides misleading information on the first of these questions and is unhelpful in answering the third. Here I will give the answers based on my personal experience.
To drive for Uber in New York City, you will need to get a TLC license. Here are the complete steps. Complete them in this order for the fastest process. Make sure to keep receipts of all transactions, as they are tax deductible!
You should expect it to take at least 54 days (45 days at an absolute minimum) before you’re ready to start driving for Uber. Additionally, you will need approximately $700 (assuming you start with a rental car; otherwise you need several thousand dollars).
[DAY 1]
1. Sign up for Uber (sign up here to receive a $250 bonus (the current value for NYC) when you start!)
2. Upgrade your NY Driver’s license to Class E at the DMV - I was in and out in 10 minutes. You may have to pay $35, $131.50 or some other sum.
3. Complete the online application for your TLC License (cost of $252) (do this at an Uber Greenlight location to be eligible for a $250 gift card!) - allow yourself 1½ - 2 hours in case of long lines, and scheduling in advance won’t help anything. If you do not wish to do it at an Uber Greenlight location, you can find the link here.
4. (See step 6) (and step 10)
[DAYS 2-4]
...and take it as soon as possible (there is a 6-11 day wait between finishing the course and taking the test, you can take care of 6-11 during that time) – word on the street is that LaGuardia is the best school for this. While you’re at it, ask about scheduling the test (step 13) as well. Although you won’t know how much time you need to study until you actually take the course. Cost: be prepared to pay up to about $300 for the course, the test, and required study materials. Some schools provide study materials free of charge - you may want to ask your school about this.
[DAYS 5-11]
6. Take the drug test. Note that if you went to Uber’s Falchi location for step 3, there is a walk-in drug testing facility in the same building. In any event, do not save this for last, because it takes 3 days for the results to reach the TLC. This took me 15 minutes (Thursday @2pm), but wait times may vary. Cost of $26.
7. Schedule a fingerprinting session. Use ORI Number “TAXI”. Cost of $88.75. The actual process takes less than 15 minutes, but wait times can vary. They will also take a mug shot, which will go on your TLC Driver License.
8. Schedule and take your free defensive driving course - 7 hours. Note: I recommend taking Uber’s free medical (step 10) before or after the WAV course (step 9) (unless you take the DDC and WAV on the same day) and not after the defensive driving course.
9. Take the WAV course
10. Get a free medical exam from Uber. The medical should take 15 minutes unless you come at a bad time, like after 4 PM (in my experience). Uber offers it in LIC, Queens, so you definitely want to do it while you’re there (doing steps 3, 9, or possibly 8). Alternatively, bring this form to your doctor (I suggest you look it over first).
11. Email the TLC (to be specific, newdrivermr@tlc.nyc.gov) copies of your Class E Driver’s License, defensive driving certificate (you can just use the receipt they give you after the course), and medical. Make sure to include your TLC application number and your DMV license number.
12. Study!
[DAY 12]
13. Take the TLC Driver test!
[DAYS 13-26]
14. Wait for your license to be approved. View its status here. Give it 7-12 business days from step 13. So, say, 14 days.
[DAYS 27-41]
15. Wait for your license to come in the mail. This took slightly over two weeks in my case. So say 11 business days or 15 days.
[DAY 42]
(I started with a rental, so that’s the process I’ll be describing in these steps)
16. Apply for a rental vehicle – make sure to bring all the required documents! In order to qualify for the two weeks free rental, make sure to use one of the partner dealerships listed at the top. Note: You can sign up at all 4 of them and go with whichever one approves you first.
[DAYS 43-54]
17. Wait to be approved by the dealership’s insurance. In my case this took 8 days, but it can take up to two weeks. Give it 12 days.
18. Don’t forget to get an E-ZPass (it is against TLC rules to not have an E-ZPass).You probably also want to get a phone mount, which is also a TLC requirement. Uber gave me one in step 20, but it was tiny (made for a 3 inch wide phone or smaller, and also - look at it…)
Uber will give you car charging kits so no need to worry about those.
[DAY 54, CONTINUED]
19. Get your vehicle documents from the rental company. No deposit required! For new Uber partners, payment is due at the end of the week!
20. Bring your driver’s license, TLC license, and car documents to an Uber Greenlight location to get activated and receive a bunch of free stuff.
21. Get your car and start driving! (Yes, it is likely that you will complete step 20 before getting the actual car. It can take several hours between getting the documents and getting the car.)
Conclusion: Despite your best efforts, expect it to take (if you are renting) 54 days before you are ready to start driving for Uber. It can take 45 days if you’re lucky, or even longer than 54 days if things get stuck for whatever reason.
As for the cost: It adds up to $616.75 + whatever you paid in step 2, plus more if your taxi school didn’t provide free study materials, plus a $25 investment in an E-ZPass if you didn’t have one already, and additional costs for a phone mount. In return, you get Uber’s $250 gift card, and their $500 $250 start-up bonus, once you start driving.
Feel free to contribute your personal experience in the comments!
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