Scott Van Maldegiam

by Scott Van Maldegiam on April 29, 2018 164 Comments

Age Limit: Should Uber Drivers Transport Kids & Minors?

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How old do you have to be to use Uber?

I know a lot of parents like to joke that once their kids start getting older, a big part of their job becomes transportation. There is no shortage of soccer practices, rehearsals and pick-ups and that’s just one of the reasons why we’ve seen a huge uptick in requests for minors over the past year. But Uber and even Lyft’s policies might surprise you when it comes to picking up minors. Today we take a look at those policies and what drivers need to know in order to protect themselves.

This is a subject I never really gave much thought to until recently. I am a father of two. I am a pretty boring suburbanite dad and husband. The type no one would even think twice about giving their kids a ride. So when I see kids get in my car, if anything, I am relieved they got me as a driver. But should kids be requesting rides for themselves? Can adults request rides for their kids? What is our responsibility as drivers on this topic? These are some of the questions we will be addressing.

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Age Requirements for Uber Riders

Before we discuss what we should do as drivers, lets look at what the terms and conditions are for the riders. If you didn’t know this (I didn’t until I researched it), don’t be surprised. The rules are actually different for each company: [Read more…]

by Scott Van Maldegiam on March 6, 2018 17 Comments

How Crazy is St. Patrick’s Day as an Uber Driver?

St. Patty’s Day (and weekend) is always busy, but if you’re not careful you could end up with a whole lot of green puke in your car. RSG contributor Scott Van Maldegian gives us some advice on how to handle St. Patrick’s Day as an Uber driver, and how to avoid pukers on one of the most profitable rideshare days of the year. Enjoy and be careful out there!

Are Uber and Lyft drivers ready for St. Patrick’s Day?

DISCLAIMER: I apologize if I gross anyone out who reads this article. Be thankful I didn’t include pictures though.

Woohoo!! Uber drivers, St. Patty’s day is almost here, which means there is going to be parties, revelers – and lots of people potentially getting in your car. With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a weekend this year, the parties on Friday, Saturday and even into Sunday are sure to be busy (as long as the weather isn’t too terrible). Here’s a guide on handling St. Patrick’s Day, plus everything surrounding the holiday.
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by Scott Van Maldegiam on February 1, 2018 26 Comments

Why Your Uber Driver App Isn’t Working

11/25/19: We’ve gotten reports from drivers that the Uber driver app has been down all morning for drivers across the country (4:30 am -7:30 am PT) – you can get the latest on our Facebook page here. Remember, if you haven’t signed up for both Uber and Lyft, this is a good reminder to do so. The app can and does go down from time to time and you don’t want to be left without a way to make money!

2/8/2018: It appears that the Uber app is down for some drivers in the United States. Seems like Uber is aware of the problem and working on fixing it – you can follow our Facebook page here for updates.

Harry here. I often get frantic e-mails and Facebook messages from drivers who are having trouble with their Uber driver app. I’m usually able to help with a lot of these issues, but you may not have days or even hours to wait for me to respond. E-mailing Uber about technical issues is, well, a lost cause to put it nicely, but in today’s article, RSG Senior Contributor, Scott Van Maldegiam, breaks down all of the troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the problem on your own. He’s even got a few proactive ones that could prevent problems in the first place.

What To Do About The Uber Driver App Crapping Out

We have all had times when we want to throw our smartphones against a brick wall. They can be amazing devices at times, but they aren’t always perfect. And when these devices affect our ability to make money, it can be especially frustrating.

Today, I’ll talk about what problems may occur, and what you can do to fix the problem ASAP. I will also talk about general troubleshooting and preventative measures to avoid problems in the first place. [Read more…]

by Scott Van Maldegiam on October 23, 2017 4 Comments

How To Keep Your Uber Car Clean & Puke Proofing Your Vehicle

One of the nice side benefits of driving for Lyft and Uber has been that it’s forced me to keep my car very clean. I always wash it once a week now and keep the inside spotless. When non-rideshare people come into my car they always comment on how clean it is, suckers.

Today, RSG contributor Scott Van Maldegiam takes a look at everything he does to keep his car looking pretty and prevent a puker. For those of us that like to make the big bucks during party hours, we know it’s only a matter of time before something like this happens so it’s best to be prepared!

Here are the important features of my car that make it both easy to clean and protect the interior

Did the title get your attention? I hope so. I have heard so many stories about drivers who have had people puke in their car. Thankfully, it has not happened to me…. yet. But it really isn’t a matter of if it happens, but a matter of when. You can’t prevent it, but you can prepare for it. Also, planning for other messes is also a good idea. More than anything, passengers appreciate a clean car. I will share with you what I do to mess proof my vehicle and a few stories along the way.

Leather seats

I know you can’t change your current seats from cloth to leather, but having leather seats makes it so much easier to clean up the occasional mess or spill.

Weathertech Floorliners

These mats are the BEST investment you can make. While I haven’t had someone puke in my car, I have had my share of messes. From picking people up from both Riotfest and Lalapalooza (or should I say “Mudfests”) to people spilling beer in my car, the floorliners protected my car. It is so easy to take your car to a self serve care wash, remove the floorliners and power wash them back to new. [Read more…]

by Scott Van Maldegiam on October 21, 2016 3 Comments

Top 10 Rideshare Vehicles to Insure

Harry here. As more drivers sign up for rideshare insurance, it’s important to look at how the costs for insurance vary by vehicle. Today, RSG contributor Scott Van Maldegiam takes a look at the top 10 rideshare vehicles to insure.

I have been thinking a lot lately on how to keep my costs down in general. Along those same lines, I look to keep the costs down of any business I participate in. With rideshare, insurance is a large cost. While the cost of the vehicle and the cost of the gas outweigh the insurance costs, it is interesting to look at which vehicles cost the least to insure and why.

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