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Embarking on the journey to become an Uber Premier driver in Canada opens doors to greater earnings and prestigious clientele. This article will guide you through the requirements, benefits, and application process, alongside insights on customer service and safety protocols to maintain your elite status as a provider of luxury transportation.
Uber Premier is another Uber product that offers riders high-end, luxury rides. It's similar to a private chauffeur experience, with a fleet of select vehicles that meet higher standards for aesthetics and comfort.
For customers, Uber Premier means arriving in style, comfort, and exclusivity. For drivers, it opens the door to a market segment that values quality and is willing to pay a premium.
Note: You do not sign up for Uber Premier directly. It’s a ride option you unlock after driving with Uber for a while. In Canada, you need a minimum star rating of 4.85 based on 250 completed trips, and an eligible luxury vehicle with a leather interior that is 5 years old or newer. Uber also offers Premier SUV, with the same requirements, and Uber Black, which requires a 4.75 rating over 500 trips.
Professional growth and networking: Uber Premier drivers frequently transport business professionals, influencers, and individuals from various affluent circles. This offers a unique networking platform that can lead to opportunities beyond ride-sharing. Through these connections, drivers may find doors opening in other professional areas.
Exclusive trip requests: With Uber Premier, drivers receive exclusive trip requests that are not available to other Uber service tiers. This exclusivity means less competition for fares. This exclusivity can lead to more predictable, stable income.
Access to select opportunities: Uber occasionally rolls out promotions, bonuses, and incentives targeted specifically at Premier drivers. These can include guaranteed earnings for a certain number of trips, bonus rewards for high customer satisfaction scores, and other exclusive opportunities that are not offered to the broader pool of Uber drivers in Canada.
Personalised support: Recognizing the importance of maintaining high standards for this service, they ensure that Premier drivers have the necessary support to address any issues that may arise, ensuring minimal downtime and maximised earning potential.
To be considered for Uber Premier in Canada, drivers must meet some requirements beyond those of standard Uber services. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you need to fulfill to qualify as an Uber Premier driver:
You must be at least 21 years old.
You must have a valid Canadian driver's license and a record that meets Uber’s community safety standards. In Ontario, this means a full G licence (a G1 or G2 is not acceptable). In other provinces, you need the equivalent full licence, such as a Class 5 licence in Alberta or British Columbia. However, each city may have additional requirements. For example, certain cities may require a city-specific driving permit or additional vehicle safety equipment.
Uber conducts a comprehensive background check that you must pass. The screening reviews your driving record and criminal history.
You must be legally eligible to work in Canada, which means you need to be a citizen, Canadian permanent resident, or otherwise have the appropriate work permit.
You must complete additional training or orientation specific to Uber Premier drivers.
You must meet Uber’s Premier rating standard: a minimum of 4.85 stars based on 250 completed trips. This means you will usually start on UberX or another standard option and become eligible for Premier once you reach this rating.
Depending on the province, you may need to have at least one year of driving experience in Canada.
A clean driving record is crucial. Major driving infractions, such as impaired driving convictions, may disqualify you from becoming an Uber Premier driver.
Effective communication is vital for a premium service. You must be proficient in English or French, depending on your region in Canada. If your original documents are not in either language, certified translation services in Canada can provide the necessary translation. If you are exchanging a foreign driver’s licence for a provincial licence, the licensing office will usually ask for a certified translation of any document that is not in English or French, so check which translators your province accepts.
Wherever Premier is offered, your vehicle must be an eligible luxury model with a leather interior that is 5 years old or newer. Each city also has its own general vehicle rules, listed below.
A four-door vehicle with independently opening doors.
The vehicle must be a 2016 model or newer.
No cosmetic damage or commercial branding.
Must have a leather or vinyl interior with no tears.
Proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and a vehicle inspection report completed by a certified mechanic.
It should have snow tires or all-weather tires installed from December 1 until April 30 the following year (Only required for PTC licensed drivers in the City of Toronto and City of Mississauga)
The vehicle must be registered in Ontario to pick up riders in the City of Toronto, City of Mississauga, Town of Oakville, and Brampton.
Vancouver’s general rules allow vehicles up to 9 years old, but Premier still requires a luxury vehicle 5 years old or newer.
Generally requires a vehicle that is 9 years old or newer.
It must be a 4-door vehicle with 5 seats.
Leather or vinyl interiors are required, without commercial branding or cosmetic damage.
The vehicle must pass a commercial vehicle inspection by an authorized inspection facility.
The vehicle must have valid insurance, up-to-date registration, and a recent vehicle inspection.
A four-door vehicle with independently opening doors and 5 seatbelts.
Calgary’s general rules allow vehicles up to 10 years old, but Premier still requires a luxury vehicle 5 years old or newer.
The vehicle should be free of damage and commercial markings.
A clean, high-quality leather or vinyl interior is mandatory.
Complete vehicle registration, personal insurance, and a vehicle inspection form.
Ottawa’s general rules allow vehicles up to 10 years old, but Premier still requires a luxury vehicle 5 years old or newer.
New drivers must upload a Safety Standards Certificate (SSC) within 36 days of passing the inspection.
Existing drivers must complete a vehicle inspection annually and upload an SSC within 36 days of passing.
If your vehicle model is 5 years old or newer, it will require an inspection once annually.
If your vehicle model is 6 years or older, it will require an inspection every 6 months.
Meet the basic eligibility criteria as listed above.
Get your documentation in order. If your original documents need to be translated, make sure to employ certified translators in Canada to ensure accuracy and compliance with Uber's requirements. Your necessary documents include:
- Your driver's license.
- Proof of residency in your province.
- Proof of vehicle insurance.
- Your driving record.
Choose the Right Vehicle. Select a vehicle that fits the Uber Premier car list criteria.
Visit the Uber website and complete the online application. Here’s how to go about it:
- Fill out the online application form with your personal and vehicle information.
- Upload the necessary documents.
Once your documents are approved, you need to have your vehicle inspected:
- Schedule an inspection with a certified mechanic to ensure your vehicle meets all of Uber's requirements for Premier vehicles.
- Submit proof of your vehicle's inspection through the Uber driver app or your driver dashboard.
Consent to a background check, which is mandatory for all potential drivers. After this, wait to be approved. If you are approved, you can start driving.
Create your driver profile, which customers will see:
- Upload a professional photo of yourself. It must be a forward-facing photo of your full face and the top of your shoulders, with no sunglasses. It cannot be a photo of your driver’s licence.
- Fill in any additional details that can enhance your profile for potential Uber Premier riders. Download the Uber Driver app, log in with your credentials, and start driving. There is no separate Premier app. Once you meet the Premier rating standard and your vehicle is approved for Premier, you’ll start receiving Premier requests in the same app.
Download the Uber Premier app on your phone, log in with your credentials, and start driving.
Uber Premier demands higher fares due to its stringent vehicle requirements compared to other Uber services. To qualify for Premier status, drivers must operate a recent-model luxury car from esteemed manufacturers such as Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes, Tesla, and Volvo. We share a breakdown of your average earnings as an Uber Premier driver in Canada:
Categories | Uber Premier |
Base fare | $5.50 |
Per Minute | $0.88 |
Per Kilometer | $3.19 |
Minimum fare | $16 |
Cancellation fee | $10 |
Note: These are rider fare rates, not what the driver takes home. Rates vary by city, and Uber deducts a service fee from each fare, so check the fares for your city and the earnings shown in the Uber Driver app.
Safety is a top priority within the Uber Premier tier, where expectations for quality and professionalism are even higher. Here’s a comprehensive list of essential safety measures and protocols every Uber Premier driver should adhere to:
Conduct regular maintenance to keep your vehicle in top condition, including checks of the brakes, lights, tires, and engine performance.
Before starting your driving schedule, perform a personal health check. If you're feeling unwell, take a break until you're fit to drive.
Maintain high hygiene standards by regularly sanitizing your vehicle, especially high-touch areas, to reduce the risk of spreading illnesses.
Practice defensive driving techniques to avoid accidents and follow traffic rules, including speed limits, traffic lights, and road signs.
Consider installing an in-car camera for security purposes. Make sure to comply with privacy laws and inform passengers if recording is in place. In Toronto, if you have a device that can record passengers, you must by law display a "Notice of recording" decal on both rear passenger windows.
Keep your GPS enabled during trips for route tracking, which can be crucial in case of emergencies.
Ensure that all passengers use seat belts and provide child seats when necessary. Always stop in safe locations to allow passengers to enter and exit the vehicle.
Keep a well-stocked first aid kit in your vehicle and know basic first aid procedures.
Have a list of emergency contacts, including roadside assistance and local authorities, readily accessible.
Be prepared to drive in different weather conditions by keeping necessary equipment like snow tires, and know when to stay off the road for safety.
Unlike Uber’s wheelchair-accessible service, Uber Premier doesn’t require you to buy you own commercial insurance. Uber carries rideshare insurance that covers trips on its platform in each province. In Ontario, for example, the province has approved a rideshare policy from Intact Insurance. However, keep your personal auto insurance policy and provide proof to Uber.
While on a trip, Uber provides contingent comprehensive and collision insurance. This means that if a driver has personal comprehensive and collision insurance, Uber's policy will cover physical damage to that driver's car that occurs during an Uber trip, up to the vehicle's actual cash value, with a deductible the driver is responsible for.
Drivers must provide proof of their personal insurance coverage to Uber before being approved to drive. Vehicles are also subject to inspections, and city bylaw officers can request rides at any time to inspect your vehicle and documents. So keep your licence, registration, proof of insurance, and safety standards certificate in your car.
Need a document translated for your application? Request a free quote.
Bukola Edgar coordinates marketing at Translayte, a certified translation company handling sworn, notarised and apostilled documents for legal, immigration and official use in more than 60 countries.
Certified, sworn, notarised and legalised translations, accepted globally.
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