Did you know that more than 3 million women left the American workforce in the past year to take care of their children?
Unfortunately, the situation does not get any better for those women who choose to continue their jobs. Around 50% of all women in the workforce believe it is difficult to advance in their careers while juggling household responsibilities and childcare.
Zum is a ridesharing platform where working moms can find trustworthy drivers and caregivers to transport their kids. If you’re a struggling mom yourself, you can contribute positively towards this cause by driving for Zum.
But is Zum worth it? Go through this Zum Driver review to find out.
⭐️ Want more? Check out our full list of the top rideshare for kids companies
What Is Zum?
Zum is an online transportation service currently operating in the US. Founded by a working mom herself, Zum aims to provide safe and efficient transportation services for children aged 5-17.
Zum provides traditional and non-traditional transportation for young adults. Besides parents booking rides for their children, this means that even schools can collaborate with the platform to provide a safe commute for their students.
To date, Zum has served more than 400,000 children and provided secure transport for more than 2 million miles. The best part is Zum makes sure its drivers go through a thorough vetting process before qualifying as a ‘Zumer’ on their platform.
Let’s face it, as a rideshare driver, it can get challenging to handle adult passengers on the job. Even if children are troublesome, they most likely won’t be drunk or, worse, carry a weapon on the ride.
If you’re a qualified caregiver and want to contribute towards making working moms’ life more manageable, this is the platform for you.
But, how does Zum work for drivers, and is becoming a Zumer worth your time?
How Does Zum Work?
Like other rideshare platforms, it all starts on Zum with a single software. The software connects people who need rides for their children to drivers like you.
Its ride options range from conventional school transport to transportation for after-school activities and carpools for children. Meaning there are several options you can choose to work for.
Besides that, another aspect that makes Zum stand out from its counterparts is its babysitting service. Besides caregiving en-route, Zum also lets customers hire drivers to babysit their children. This allows parents to arrive from work after their children get dropped off at home.
While Zum has a rigorous screening process for aspiring Zumers, it rewards its professional fleet with a higher pay rate than other rideshare platforms.
Typically, parents are charged around $6 for a 15-minute ride, but drivers only receive a small portion from that amount; if you’re required to babysit, Zum will pay you for every 15 minutes you spend with the children waiting for their parents.
According to Glassdoor, a typical rideshare driver in the United States makes anywhere from $17-$20 per hour. However, Zumers working for Zum can make up to $20-$30 for every ride they take, making it an impressive remuneration for those looking for a lucrative side hustle.
On top of that, you can set your schedule while working as a Zumer. Also, you can select or decline rides according to your convenience and work on your terms.
After knowing the basics about Zum and how it works, you’re probably on the edge of your seat to start working right away. In that case, we’ve mapped out all the details you need below to help you make an informed decision.
Zum Eligibility Criteria
The Zum eligibility criteria are perhaps the most critical aspect aspiring Zumers should know. While driving responsibly is your only job when working for other rideshare companies, you’ll have to play additional roles as a Zumer.
Apart from being a driver, you’ll be a babysitter and a caregiver for your passengers. You’ll not only have to keep an eye on them until their parents arrive, but you’ll also have to provide care during the ride.
Simply, you’re not just transporting people from one place to the other. Instead, you can help their parents raise their children while away.
This job description requires trustworthiness, along with a list of other qualifications. Therefore, Zum has strict eligibility criteria for drivers who want to join their workforce.
To become a Zumer, your profile should tick the following boxes,
- Be at least 21 years old
- Own a valid driving license and driver’s insurance
- Clean driving and criminal record
- Drivers with childcare experience are given preference
- Successfully passing the final interview conducted by the company
Additionally, if you’re applying as a driver for non-traditional transport, you should own a 4-door vehicle in good condition. Zum will inspect the car under their 19-point criteria upon application. Besides that, your vehicle should be regularly inspected and certified by the state.
Furthermore, Zum does not currently operate all over the US. Instead, the platform has its network in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, and Seattle. So, unless you’re a resident or can work in these areas, you’re not eligible to work for Zum.
How to Join Zum?
Another aspect we love about Zum is its clean and intuitive interface. Even if you’re a beginner, you can easily navigate its website and sign up as a Zumer.
To begin your Zumer journey, all you have to do is follow the steps mentioned below.
Fill in Your Application
First, you’ll have to open their sign-up page and fill in the required details about yourself. The details include your name, address, contact, and email. Later, the company will call you to schedule an interview regarding your application.
Appear for Your Interview
Zum goes the extra mile and meets the drivers it hires to serve its young passengers. If your application is approved, you will be invited for a face-to-face or online interview on the same day.
If you pass the interview, you will next go through their various screening processes.
Pass the Screening Test
At this point, you will have to go through background checks like Live Scan and Fingerprinting. Then, the organization will check your driving records and TrustLine approval before giving you a green signal ahead.
Vehicle Inspection
After undergoing the personality test, you will have to present your vehicle for inspection as a non-traditional transportation driver. You can appear at any of their inspection centers with your car and the required certificates.
Become a Zumer
Once you have completed their screening process, you’ll have to wait for their response. If they give you a thumbs up within a week, you can download the drivers’ app and start working right away.
⭐️ Read more: the top rideshare for kids companies
How Much Money Can You Make as a Zum Driver?
Whether you’re looking at Zum as a side hustle or a full-time job, you’ll want to know about the remuneration and benefits they have to offer.
Overall, Zum has an excellent overall rating of 4.3 on Glassdoor. Around 83% of employees provide positive reviews of the company, while 81% recommend it to a friend. Besides that, the salary and benefits satisfaction rate has gone up by 37% in the past year.
Most importantly, regular workers rated the platform 4.5 out of 5 for work-life balance. Meaning most drivers are satisfied and happy with the compensation they receive on the forum.
However, if you’re looking for essential employee benefits that come with a full-time job, you won’t get that as a Zumer.
You see, Zum hires its drivers as individual contractors rather than employees. So, you will be paid and taxed accordingly, which means no medical insurance or paid leaves. On the other hand, you get to set your schedule and work flexible hours on the plus side.
On average, Zumers earn anywhere from $20-$35 for every ride they take through the platform. The best part is that they can check the projected remuneration before accepting a ride to know what they’re signing up for.
Zum efficiently processes payments through the driver app. You can download it on your iOS or Android device, and schedule rides for up to 24 hours in advance. After completing the ride, you can track your payments on your Zum account and even request instant payouts.
Zum Driver App
If you’re thinking of working as a Zumer, you will have to spend a considerable amount of time on their driver’s app. Available for iOS and Android phones, the app provides excellent support for Zumers on the road.
First of all, you can use it to browse jobs as a driver, caregiver, or babysitter according to your qualification. You can choose your working days along with specific working hours on the app, so you’ll only see filtered options.
Besides that, you can select or decline rides whenever you want, and schedule rides for up to 24 hours in advance. This helps you maintain a flexible work-life while planning at the same time.
Once you’re on the road, you’ll get real-time updates about the traffic situation and assigned routes on the app.
Similarly, as a Zumer for traditional transportation, you will receive an individual profile of each student along with their assigned routes on the app. You can even check additional information for each student on the app if needed.
After completing the job, the app lets you track payments and maintain your driver rating. In addition, you can monitor your payments and request payouts at the click of your thumb.
Pros of Zum
Now that you know all the details about Zum, you’re probably ready to join right away. But, before you do, here’s a list of benefits at a glance to give you a clear perspective of the job.
- Work on your terms – With Zum, you can choose your days, time slots, and rides according to your convenience.
- Easy work selection – You can browse your options at the tap of a finger and earn money whenever you want.
- High pay rates – Zum offers some of the highest remunerations per ride compared to other rideshare companies.
- Regular payments – Unlike other platforms, Zum provides weekly payouts to its drivers every Wednesday.
- Promotions and bonus payments – Zum offers regular bonuses and promotions for drivers who maintain a good rating. You’ll even get a $500 sign-up bonus upon completing your first milestone as a Zum driver.
- Contribute towards a more significant cause – As a Zumer, you’re not only sharing your ride but also helping parents raise their children safely.
Cons of Zum
While working for Zum is an excellent prospect for drivers with childcare experience, there are some downsides to the platform. Go through this list of cons below to get an honest representation of the company.
- Not available everywhere – Zum currently operates in a few major cities of the US, so not everyone can join their workforce
- Higher accountability – Driving children is a huge responsibility, and you can be held accountable for numerous aspects other than driving while on the job
- No additional benefits – Like most rideshare services, Zum does not compensate for fuel costs and the wear and tear of your vehicle. Besides that, you won’t get any medical insurance or paid time off either.
- Glitches in the app – Some driver reports show that the app does not always provide real-time updates, which often lands them into trouble with parents.
Who Is Zum For?
Zum is for aspiring drivers who have some experience in the caregiving industry. The best part is you don’t need a vehicle of your own to join the Zum workforce. Instead, you can drive for their traditional transportation fleet and earn a handsome income.
Furthermore, if you have a vehicle and are looking for a lucrative side hustle, you should sign up for Zum.
Who Isn’t Zum For?
Remember, Zum is ideally a part-time job opportunity. Also, it does not offer any benefits that come with conventional jobs to its drivers.
So, if you’re looking for a full-time income to provide for your family, Zum might not be the ideal option for you.
Final Words
In a nutshell, Zum is a great ride sharing opportunity for drivers who want to avoid troublesome adult passengers. It offers reasonable remuneration and bonuses along with flexible work schedules.
However, it requires additional accountability and responsibility from its drivers. Besides that, its rigorous screening process makes it a challenging prospect for most side hustlers. So if you’re planning to join, make sure to consider all these aspects before finalizing your decision.
