One of the most underrated benefits of rideshare driving is getting to make a noticeable impact on the lives of people in your community. There are so many people who rely on rideshare services and don’t know what they’d do without them.
If you are looking to earn more money with a flexible income stream and provide transportation options for people who truly need it, you may want to consider signing up for UZURV. UZURV is different from other TNC companies, as they aim to provide flexible transportation services for some who have few other options.
Looking for more rideshare driving opportunities? Check out our full list of gig jobs.Should you drive for UZURV? In our UZURV review below, we’ll outline what you need to know about UZURV, where it is available, and the pros and cons of driving for UZURV.
What Is UZURV?
UZURV used to be a scheduled rideshare company that allowed people to book rides in advance. Today, they’ve pivoted to the Transportation Network Company (TNC – Uber/Lyft) model and provide transportation services for older adults and people with disabilities.
The Richmond-based company was founded in 2017 and now describes itself as an Adaptive Transportation Network Company focusing on transportation needs that require a “higher level of care”. In 2019, the company secured $5 million in funding and provided more 150,000 trips.
UZURV is currently operating in these markets:
- Richmond, VA
- Greensboro, NC
- Orlando, FL
- Jacksonville, FL
- Pinellas Co, FL
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- Charleston, SC
- Phoenix, AZ
- Nashville, TN
- Baltimore, MD
- Durham, NC
- Las Vegas, NV (rides set to begin here)
Due to the nature of the work, drivers are vetted more carefully and must adhere to the company’s 98% on-time delivery rate. Riders may need transportation to an appointment that they need to get to safely and promptly, which is why this level of timeliness is crucial.
UZURV provides 30,000+ rides per year to people managing cancer treatment with the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program.
Driving For UZURV
Drivers for UZURV come from all different backgrounds and career paths. Trips can be pre-scheduled or on-demand and you’ll see all your trip information and estimated earnings in the app before you accept a trip.
You can choose your ride days in advance and can even transport the same riders multiple times to develop trust. Drivers are paid for each trip they take and the company says the compensation rate is 20% to 30% more per mile than what typical rideshare companies offer.
UZURV estimates that drivers earn around $22 to $26 per hour, via UZURV’s Indeed job posting.
UZURV partners with government transit agencies, insurance companies, and nonprofits to provide a wide range of trip options along with ensuring that drivers are properly certified.
Due to the companies and facilities UZURV partners with, drivers need to be well versed in Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and the privacy expectations of HIPAA. Given that you’ll need to spend a little extra time to complete the certification and credentialing process, it makes sense why UZURV states that drivers will earn more competitive rates.
According to one driver we spoke with, Jeremy from Florida, he says most ride requests are government rides to and from someone’s work/home to doctor’s appointments or anywhere else they need to go. The majority of his riders are visually impaired, and the pay is better than basic Uber and Lyft rides.
How to Sign Up For UZURV
If you’re interested in giving UZURV a try, you’ll want to make sure you meet the minimum requirements to drive.
The minimum requires to sign up and drive with UZURV are:
- At least 21 years old
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Pass a criminal background check
The background check will include at least 7 years of past history.
Other requirements include:
- A lifetime check will be performed on the National Sex Offender Registry
- Must pass a motor vehicle record background check
- No DUI/DWI, state law determines moving violation regulations
- Programs typically require drug/alcohol screening to FTA and State compliance standards
To sign up for UZURV, you’ll need to download the driver app, which is called UZURV 360.
There are three easy steps to help you get started.
Since you’ll be driving your own vehicle, you need to have a car with at least 4 doors. The vehicle must be 10 years old or less (there’s an exception for the Phoenix area where your car can’t be more than 7 years old). A sedan or SUV would be approved vehicles, but not a pickup truck since this is pretty inaccessible for passengers.
Some other vehicle requirements for UZURV include:
- Valid Personal Vehicle Insurance, in your name
- Valid Vehicle Registration
- Vehicle Inspection (If required by your transit program)
- No cosmetic or major damage to the vehicle
- Interior must be clean, tidy, and a NO SMOKING vehicle (No Vaping with passengers in the vehicle)
What Are People Saving About UZURV?
UZURV drivers seem pretty pleased with the experience overall. They get training and an in-depth onboarding process as well as access to live trip monitoring and driver support via phone.
Winston Powell, an Orlando who’s been with UZURV for more than two years, says that working with both the company and the riders in the community has been fulfilling. He shared that he gets paid promptly, and UZURV provides excellent customer service while answering all his questions promptly.
This is important seeing as how some TNC companies don’t have solid forms of communication with their driver outside of an app chat feature.
Another driver, George Mercado who works in the Tampa market, says he really enjoys the flexibility that comes with UZURV as well as the relationships he’s built with the passengers.
“I like treating others the way I like to be treated. With respect and that’s what I do,” says Mercado.
Another driver, Pamela Snow, says it’s been a win-win because she’s able to help other people and get paid after retiring from her government job in DC.
“They are always there to help you. Whenever you’re in trouble, have any questions, or need anything, they are always there for you,” Pamela said about the committed UZURV operations team.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Set your own hours and easy signup
- Earn $22 to $26 per hour
- Get to earn money while making a bigger impact on community members in need of transportation
- Hands-on driver support from UZURV
Cons:
- Requirements for drivers and your vehicle are stricter than other companies
- Not available widely across the U.S. just yet
- Required credentials and additional training extends the timeframe it will take you to get started
- Riders who want a designated driver (if they have a set schedule for appointments, etc.) may not accommodate your needs for a super flexible driving schedule
Summary
If you’re looking for a fairly flexible way to earn more than $20 per hour as a rideshare driver and help people in your community. UZURV could be a great option to consider. Unfortunately, it’s not available in every market right now, but the markets that do have this service seem to have happy drivers who feel well taken care of.
While the extra credentials may take some time to obtain, this could help you expand your experience and become a more marketable driver overall. In general, if the service is available in your market, it’s an excellent addition to add to your repertoire of driver gigs!
Have you heard of UZURV? Is it something you would try as a driver?
-Chonce @ RSG
