14 Essential Tools And Accessories Every Uber and Bolt Driver Should Have

Ride-sharing services like Uber go beyond taking your passenger from one destination to another. Preparing for any situation and keeping your vehicle in Sterling condition is also important especially when you want to give your riders a memorable experience and get that 5-star rating.

There are some must-have tools and accessories that will make you feel more comfortable while on the ride with your passenger. They will also ensure that your passengers get nothing but the best user experience from you. They are as follows;

A Phone Mount:

This is one of the most important things to have. A phone mount serves more like a security device than a phone holder. It is best mounted in a place where you can make a quick glance at it without getting your eyes off the road. The main benefit of having your phone stuck up on your dashboard or windshield is simple because you would not feel comfortable having to look down at your lap for directions every 30 seconds. This is a tremendous benefit to your safety and that of your passenger. Another benefit to this is that it can improve your rating. Passengers appreciate being able to see the directions too as you drive and they feel safer with a driver who has both eyes focused on the road while following the right way.

Multi-Chargers And Charging Cables:

There is a probability that if you have been driving for long hours, your passenger would ask for a phone charger. Having a good one is important for keeping your own device online for long hours and it is also a great way to offer something extra to your passenger. Many passengers would truly appreciate this and give you a 5-star rating just for that little gesture.

Air Freshener:

The first thing passengers will notice when they enter your car is the smell. There is nothing worse than shutting the door and being hit with the odour of the driver’s onion-heavy lunch or the lingering tobacco stench that clings to their clothing if the driver is a smoker. A bad-smelling car puts you on the fast lane to a low star rating. It is strongly recommended that you keep either a can of air freshener in the trunk for a quick refreshing interior spritz, or buy a fresh scent dispenser that attaches to one of the air vents. Some passengers may be allergic to certain strong perfumes, so it is suggested you go with a subtle light scent or a fragrance-free deodorizer. 

Cleaning Supplies:

Humans are generally messy creatures. Drivers may sometimes eat their meals in their cars and even passengers too may want to eat in your car. Beverages spill, sandwich contents ooze, and salad dressing can splatter, especially when eating in a moving car. It is a good idea to keep a supply of paper towels, napkins, and other cleaning supplies like a carpet stain remover in your car or the trunk for both you and your passengers. Apart from paper towels and napkins, having sanitary wipes can come useful for a quick wipe-down of your dashboard and steering wheel before picking up your next passenger.

First Aid Kit:

When behind the wheel, you are exposed to different emergencies. The way you respond to them will go a long way in determining your riders’ appraisal of your performance and professionalism. A passenger will appreciate your gesture and swift response if you can disinfect a wound on the spot. The kit will also prove useful in the event of a minor accident. It may be what you need to save your passenger’s life. So, you have a lot of reasons why you should have this life-saving accessory in your vehicle. It would not be okay to keep looking for first aid items during emergencies. Get a first aid kit from a local pharmacy if your vehicle does not have any. That will save you a lot of stress and could help you avert some dangers, such as loss of life.

Led Flashlights:

Searching for a lost item in the dark can be challenging but with the aid of a LED flashlight, you can search effortlessly. This is very important when you need to drive around at night. The flashlight can be handy if your car breaks down suddenly. You need it to look around and possibly find and fix the problem. Without the light, you will be in a problem. Keep the flashlight where it would not constitute a problem during the day. Your trunk or glove compartment will be perfect for the safekeeping of this accessory. You can easily have access to it whenever you need it.

Throw-Up Bags:

Since Uber drivers work at night also, they should have a throw-up bag in their vehicle. You also need it if you work on weekends when passengers go to clubs. Some passengers drink more alcohol than they can handle before booking a ride and may want to throw up instantly. Working drivers at such times have to deal with drunk passengers. Sometimes, such a passenger may throw up in your vehicle and make a total mess of it. It will take you some time and effort to clean up the mess. A simple throw up bag will save you from such mess and the stress of cleaning up someone else’s vomit. These bags are cheap and very helpful when such unplanned emergencies come up.

Floor Mats:

Car seats are not the only accessories that can make your car look clean and neat. Floor mats play a significant role too. Passengers may bring in the dirt when coming in especially on a rainy day. The floor mat will collect the dirt for easy disposal. It also serves as a protection against spilt food or drinks. If you do not have floor mats in your vehicle, the spillage will mess up the vehicle floor in no time and cleaning would not be so easy. If you have a couple of these mats, you can always change a dirty one and replace it with a clean one until you have time to wash it. This will ensure that your car is always in good condition. You should consider buying rubber floor mats. They are easy to clean and quite affordable. You can take them out when they are dirty and spread them after cleaning. These types dry quickly after washing. So, you can use them as soon as possible.

Seat Covers:

One way to keep your vehicle looking clean is by taking care of the seats. As passengers get in and out of the vehicle, they bring dirt in. Without the seat cover, you may have to clean the car seats several times a day which can be stressful. However, investing in a seat cover makes you rest assured that you would not have much cleaning to do. Seat covers help to keep the seats clean. They protect it from dirt so that the seat is always clean. Make sure to dust the seat cover after each drop. They are also useful in bad weather, such as rain, and dust storms. Just imagine the amount of dirt you would have to deal with if you pick up passengers in such terrible conditions. Especially if you do not have something to protect your seat. It is advisable that you go for high-quality covers. It is always worth the investment as low-quality ones will get torn easily and they will make the riders feel uncomfortable.

Lint Rollers:

Some passengers leave strands of hair behind after getting down from your vehicle. Some may come with furry pets like cats and dogs. Removing hair from your vehicle can be a huge challenge if you don’t have the best hair removal tool. Lint Rollers are designed to make it easier to remove such hair within a couple of seconds. A lint roller will help you to clean some hard-to-reach parts of your vehicle. The area between the centre console and the driver’s seat is one of such places where it will be useful. Get this simple accessory and you would not have to worry about pets and hair passengers may bring in.

Liquid Detergent:

In case you cannot get a throw-up bag just yet, a bottle of liquid detergent or water with soap should be a part of your accessories. When drunk or sick passengers throw up in your vehicle, you want to have something you can use to wash up instead of looking for the nearest car wash to clean the affected places. If you are far from the nearest car wash, having detergent will save you from the pain of driving around with a messed up vehicle. Clean your vehicle immediately before you hit the road again.

GPS:

Ride-sharing can take you to places you do not know too well. Instead of asking your passengers for directions to the place you are going to, you should have a GPS that can guide you all the way there. This will save the stress of having to navigate your way to your passenger’s destination and make riding much faster.

Car Trash Can:

Passengers appreciate the extra attention to details such as putting a trash can in your car. Plus, sometimes passengers leave junk and trash in the back seat and have nowhere to throw their wrappers but if they see the trash can, they will surely drop it in there and this will keep your car clean.

Dash Cam:

A dashcam serves as a CCTV and is the cheapest insurance policy you can buy, both for yourself and your car. It will also discourage any bad behaviour from the passenger and act as an objective witness if you are ever involved in a collision or some other incident on the road.