Complete Guide on Driving for Uber Comfort in Australia

Created: Jan 17, 2024 | Updated: Jan 17, 2024

Becoming an Uber driver can be somewhat exciting. Uber has a plethora of ride options that come with different ways to serve people and help them make more money. In today’s post, we’ll take a look at one of those many ride services Uber offers — Uber Comfort — and tell you how you can become a part of it.

About Uber Comfort

Uber Comfort is a ride option on the Uber Platform under Uber Economy. It was introduced in 2020 as an upgrade to Uber X and it provides more comfort for riders by matching them with more experienced drivers who have newer, more spacious vehicles than Uber X cars, for a little extra charge. This means that you can earn more money than an Uber X driver.

Since Uber Comfort riders are paying higher fees, they will be entitled to certain privileges such as:

Temperature: Your driver may prefer a warmer or cooler temperature so be prepared to reset the air conditioner or heater to fit their needs.

Conversation: They can indicate whether they would be open to a conversation with you or if they would like to ride in silence for the duration of the trip.

Extended pickup times: Uber Comfort riders are entitled to some more time before they can be charged a cancellation fee although, they will have to pay higher wait time fees.

All these preferences will be shown in your Uber Driver app when you arrive at their location.

What are the Uber Comfort Requirements for Becoming a Driver in Australia?

Uber Comfort Driver Requirements

To become an Uber Comfort driver in Australia, you must have fulfilled the following:

You must be at least 20 years of age (21 years of age for New South Wales and Victoria).
You must have completed at least 500 trips on UberX.
You must maintain a minimum rating of 4.85.
You must drive a mid-sized car with more passenger legroom.
You must have a car that was manufactured within the last 7 years.

Uber Comfort Cars Requirements

If you wish to drive for Uber Comfort in Australia, your car must meet the following Uber Comfort requirements:

Your car must be ANCAP 5-Star rated, or be part of Uber’s vehicle exemption list.
Your car must be in excellent working condition.
Your car must have clean interiors.
Your car must have air conditioning and heating.
Your car must be no older than seven (7) years and be on the Uber Comfort Cars list.
Your car must be a 4-door car or passenger van.
Your car must have a minimum of 5 seats and no more than 12 seats, including the driver’s seat.
Your car must be able to pass a vehicle inspection.
Your car must be registered and have Compulsory Third-Party insurance in your state and have at least a third-party property damage insurance.
Your car must be free from any cosmetic damage such as scuff marks, scratches or hail damage.
Your car must be free from commercial branding greater than 20x20cm, like graphics or wraps.

Please note that Uber has the right to amend these Uber Comfort requirements at any time at its sole discretion. However, you will be informed of consequent updates.

Uber Comfort Cars List for Australia

Yearly, Uber Comfort updates the list of cars eligible for use on its different ride options. Here’s the Uber Comfort cars list for Australia for 2023:

BRAND	MODEL
Acura	2016 - MDX, RDX, RLX, TLX 2018 - ILX
Alfa Romeo	2016 - Stelvio
Audi	2016 - A6, A7, A8, A8 L, e-tron, e-tron Sportback, Q4 e-tron, Q4 Sportback e-tron, Q5, Q7, Q8, Q9, S6, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ7, SQ8
Bentley	2016 - Flying Spur, Bentayga, Mulsanne
BMW	2016 - 5-series, 5-Series 530e, 5-series Gran Turismo, 7-series, 7-Series 745e, 740i, ActiveHybrid 5, Alpina B7, i4, iX, M5, X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7
Buick	2018 - Enclave, LaCrosse, Regal, Regal Sportback, Regal TourX
Cadillac	2016 - CT5, CT6, CTS, CTS-V, Escalade, Escalade ESV, LYRIQ, SRX, XT5, XT6, XTS 2018 - CTS, XT4
Chevrolet	2016 - Blazer, Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse 2018 - Bolt EUV, Equinox, Impala 2020 - Malibu, Trailblazer
Chrysler	2016 - 300 2018 - 200 2020 - Pacifica, Voyager
Dodge	2016 - Ram 2500 2018 - Durango 2020 - Caravan, Grand Caravan
Ford	2016 - Edge, Escape, Expedition, F-150, F-150 Lightning, Flex, Fusion Energi, Mustang Mach-E 2018 - Bronco, Bronco Sport, Explorer, Fusion, Fusion Hybrid 2020 - Excursion
Genesis	2016 - G90, GV60, GV70, GV80 2018 - G70, G80
GMC	2016 - Acadia, Acadia Denali, Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, Yukon XL Denali 2018 - Hummer EV, Terrain
Honda	2016 - CR-V Hybrid, MDX, Pilot 2018 - Accord, Accord Crosstour, Accord Hybrid, Clarity, Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, CR-V 2020 - Odyssey
Hyundai	2016 - Equus, Genesis, IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, IONIQ Electric, Palisade, Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, Santa Fe XL, Tucson Fuel Cell, Tucson Hybrid 2018 - Genesis G70, Santa Fe, Tucson 2020 - Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid, Kona Electric, Santa Fe Sport
Infiniti	2016 - Q70, QX50, QX55, QX60, QX70, QX80
Jaguar	2016 - F-PACE, I-PACE, XF, XJ
Jeep	2016 - Cherokee, Grand Cherokee L, Grand Wagoneer 2018 - Compass 2020 - Grand Cherokee, Wrangler
Kia	2016 - K900, Niro EV, Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Telluride 2018 - E-Niro, EV6, Niro Plus, SportageSorento 2020 - Niro, Niro Plug-In Hybrid, Sedona, Sportage Hybrid
Land Rover	2016 - Discovery, Discovery Sport, LR4, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar, Range Rover Vogue
Lexus	2016 - GS Hybrid, LS, LX, NX, NX Hybrid, RX, RX Hybrid, RX L, RZ 450e 2018 - ES, ES Hybrid, GS, GX, IS
Lincoln	2016 - Aviator, Continental, LS, MKT, MKX, Nautilus, Navigator 2018 - Corsair, MKC, MKS, MKZ
Maserati	2018 - Quattroporte
Mazda	2016 - CX-90 2018 - CX-5, CX-9, MAZDA6 2020 - CX-50, MAZDA5
Mercedes-Benz	2016 - E 300, E-Class, E-Class Wagon, E350e, EQB, EQC, EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, G-Class, GL-Class, GLB-Class, GLC Coupe, GLC-Class, GLE Coupe, GLE-Class, GLK-Class, GLS-Class, M-Class, ML Class, S-Class 2018 - GLA-Class 2020 - Metris
Mitsubishi	2018 - Outlander, Outlander PHEV 2020 - Outlander Sport
Nissan	2016 - Ariya, Armada, Murano, Pathfinder 2018 - Rogue, Quest
Porsche	2016 - Cayenne, Macan, Panamera, Taycan
Subaru	2016 - Ascent, Outback, Solterra 2018 - Forester 2020 - Legacy
Tesla	2016 - Model 3, Model S, Model X, Model Y
Toyota	2016 - Avalon, bZ4X, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser, Sequoia 2018 - 4Runner, Avalon Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, Venza 2020 - Camry, Camry Hybrid, Sienna
Volkswagen	2016 - Arteon, Atlas, Atlas Cross Sport, ID.4, Touareg 2018 - Passat, Tiguan 2020 - Passat GTE
Volvo	2016 - C40 Recharge, S90, S90 Hybrid, XC40, XC40 Electric, XC60, XC60 Hybrid, XC90, XC90 Hybrid

Electric Vehicle drivers also qualify for Uber Comfort Electric.

How to Become an Uber Comfort Driver in Australia

Becoming an Uber Comfort Driver in Australia is easy. If you have been driving for Uber X and you and your vehicle meet the requirements above, you will automatically begin to receive Uber Comfort requests. You don’t need to go through any signup process. Just meet the requirements and wait.

Becoming an Uber X Driver in Australia

The process of becoming an Uber X driver is pretty easy to follow. First, you need to sign up online on the Uber Platform and download the app. Next, you will be required to upload your required paperwork and get a rideshare license. After this, you’ll need to go through a background check and possibly a vehicle inspection.

This whole process will take anywhere between a week and 3 months to complete, depending on your unique situation.

Required Documents for Uber X Registration

A valid and complete Australian driver’s license from the state you intend to drive in.
Your passport or birth certificate.
Any additional documents required by the state or territory where you intend to drive, i.e. a police report.
Your driver profile photo, forward-facing and centred, capturing your full face and the top of your shoulders. Sunglasses are not permitted in the photo. The image should solely feature you, be well-lit, and be in clear focus. It should not be a driver's license photo or any other printed photograph. Meaning, it cannot be a photo of a photo. It has to be an original shot.

For every foreign document submitted to Uber in Australia, you have to provide an English NAATI-certified translation for it to be considered valid. In Australia, translations to be used for official purposes require a NAATI-certified translation. To get one, you need a certified NAATI translator in Australia who is capable of delivering accurate certified translations for your documents.

How Much Can an Uber Comfort Driver Make in Australia?

The amount of money you make from Uber Comfort in Australia depends on several factors like, how long you drive, how often you drive and where you drive. You can also keep making money from Uber X when Uber Comfort rides are not available. Let’s look at the comparison between how much you can earn in 50 trips from Uber Comfort and UberX.

	Uber Comfort	Earnings per 50 Trips	UberX	Earnings per 50 Trips
Base fare	$3.38	$169	$2.50	$125
Per minute	$0.54	$27	$0.40	$20
Per kilometre	$1.96	$98	$1.45	$72.5
Minimum fare	$11.25	$562.5	$9	$450
Cancellation fee	$10	$500	$10	$500

Tips for Delivering Top-Notch Uber Comfort Rides

Here are a few things top driver-partners have told us they do to provide excellent service:

Pay attention to routes and commit them to memory so you can perform pick-ups and drop-offs confidently. Everyone loves a driver who knows the road.
Always keep your vehicle clean and smelling good. No one likes to ride in a dirty car.
Run your GPS in silent mode. Your riders may not want to be disturbed by the sound of Siri dishing out directions.
Smile, be friendly, be polite and be very professional.

Driving for Uber Comfort in Australia is a great way to make a little extra income. You don’t want to hesitate to upgrade your present status and get started. And if you are a foreign resident in Australia, do well to visit Translayte to translate any foreign paperwork you might need for your Uber Comfort registration. Our translations are clear, accurate, affordable and quick because we work with the best NAATI-certified translators in Australia. Our certified translations are accepted by the Department of Home Affairs, Medicare, Passport Office, Centrelink, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). We also accept documents online in PDF, Image or Word formats.

It’s really simple. Just send us your papers and we’ll get you on your way to making that extra income.

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