Earn on your own schedule

Your guide to driving in December

4 December 2017 / United Kingdom

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Thanks so much for all your hard work so far this year. You’re the driving force behind Uber, and we want to take the time to thank you for your partnership.
December is the busiest month of the year for Uber, which means it’s a great time to earn if you’re a driver.
We’ve put all our tips and useful information for the festive season in one place. This should make it easier for you to plan your business over the festive season. Make sure you check back, as we’ll update it often.
What could I earn?
We usually see a spike in the amount per week drivers earn over the festive period. For example, last year, drivers across the UK earned an average of 8% more in December, compared to November.*
When and where should I drive?
Knowing where and when it’s likely to be busy can really help boost your earnings. We’ve created special guides for drivers to help you decide the best time to go online in your city.
You can find the guide here.
When will it be busy?
Here’s what we expect demand will look like throughout the month and into January. You can use this as a guide to planning your schedule.
1 December – 18 December
Expect each week to get busier as riders head out to Christmas parties. Tuesday and Wednesday nights will grow in demand too, as people celebrate the season more often.
19 December – 24 December
In the week before Christmas, we expect demand to continue until around Saturday 23rd—when people start to head home.
Christmas Day, Boxing Day and more
Riders will be opening presents and milling by the fireplace on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The days after will be quiet too, so use this time to rest up and take a break.
29 December – 1 January
The ramp up to New Year begins. Look out for more people and a BIG New Year celebration. We recommend you plan to be on the road during New Year’s Eve!
2 January – 15 January
New Year’s resolutions are kicking in here so things will slow down again. It may be a good idea to take some time off during this period.
16 January – onwards
Riders start to come out from their winter hibernation around this time. Look out for that last weekend in January.
Better experiences for you and riders
Lost property

Set your interior lights to go on when the door opens. This will make it easier for riders to check the seats. Check your car after every rider to make sure there is no lost property left behind. If anything is left in your car, keep it safe in case your rider gets in touch with you to arrange a return. If you don’t hear from them, you can return the item to an Uber Greenlight Hub or your local Police Station, depending on your local licensing conditions. If you’re unsure, please send a message through the Help section of your app and our team will be happy to assist.

Cleaning fees

We know it’s frustrating if a rider makes a mess, but unfortunately these things happen—especially at this time of year. Make sure you take your rider where they need to go safely and let them know that Uber will be in touch. Take photos of the mess and send them into us via your in-app help section, along with the cleaning receipt.
Looking after riders

After a night of celebration, some passengers could be intoxicated. Make sure you stay professional. Don’t let the little disruptions get to you, and remember, a safe ride and a professional, calm attitude are the most important factors to having a successful night.
*Based on average weekly net fares per hour for UberX drivers in each UK city between 31st October 2016 and 2nd January 2017.