Uber Black Requirements
Uber Black is Uber's highest luxury service, and in most cities, this service is full since there are a limited number of Uber Black cars for each city. Before you decide to apply for this service, check with Uber if there is an opening. If there isn't an Uber Black position open in your city, it might be due to private fleet operators taking up all the available slots. You can apply to a felt owner to be a driver, all you have to do is pay a monthly fee, and the fleet owner manages the rest. If this is not what you want and if there is a free slot, then you should buy a car and apply.
UberBlack income is higher than UberX. UberX pays around $1.018 while UberBlack pays $3.55. UberX expenses work out at $0.31 per mile. UberBlack is around $1.41, which means an UberBlack driver will receive $2.14 per mile. UberBlack rides are more infrequent that UberX, most drivers have been known to reach $7,000 a gross income.
Requirements
UberBlack is a professional limo and chauffeur service. There are strict requirements for cars and drivers. The car must be black with a black leather interior and can only be on the list of cars approved for UberBlack. The driver must have either a commercial insurance policy, a TCP or livery license.
These are the details that you need to provide to get authorization to be an Uber Black driver:
- Receive Uber confirmation that UberBlack/SUV is open in your city
- Have a TCP or livery license
- Select the car
- Goto DMV for commercial registration
- Buy commercial insurance
- Get a car loan or buy it in cash
- Get an UberBlack/SUV drivers status
UberBlack Vehicle requirements
Uber black cars offer a luxury sedan service, and all cars must meet the following requirements:
- Luxury seats for 4 or more passengers
- No more than two years old
- At least four doors
- Only be a Sedan
- Registered in State of use
- Valid commercial insurance
- Driver must have TCP or livery license
- Airport permit for a specific city or cities.
- Must be a black vehicle with black interior
- Clean and well maintained at all times
An example of some of the cars that can be used for UberBlack:
- Cadillac Escalade ESV
- Chevrolet Suburban
- GMC Yukon XL
- Infiniti QX56, QX80
- Lexus LX
- Lincoln Navigator L
- Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
- Qualifying Sedans for Uber Black
- Audi A6, A7
- BMW 5 Series
- Cadillac XTS
- Infiniti Q70
- Jaguar XF
- Lexus GS
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
UberBlack City Limitations
Uber limits the number of Black cars per city to maintain a high demand that generates high income. While most applicants can apply for all the other services easily, this service category will only be open if Uber is accepting more cars into the category. This is why UberBlack is a city linked service. It is not uncommon for UberBlack drivers to sell their accounts for large sums of money, similar to a taxi medallion supply and demand market.
If you want to find out your cities status you can as via e-mail or check in a Greenlight Hub before formally applying.
Private Fleet Driving
If there is no position free to apply for, don't give up, maybe start by gaining experience as an Uber driver for a private fleet owner. This will give you UberBlack experience without going through the whole process. However, if you are not an Uber driver, you will need to meet their driver requirements before driving as a felt driver. Private fleet owners will pay all the insurance, maintenance and cleaning fees, and you will pay them a weekly flat rate, sort of like a rental company for UberBlack. The "rental" fee varies per city, but it never goes up beyond 50% of the income. UberBlack driving is so lucrative that you will enjoy good income immediately.
Buying an UberBlack Car
If you are lucky enough to get a position and don't have a car, you can still use the private fleet as a car rental service, although it would be better to try to buy a car ether leasing or loan payments. Since these cars are all in the $50,000 and above, finding one on a limited budget will be hard, used cars might be the best bet.
If you own a car and its borderline old for the service, once it crosses over to the older age limit it will not be viable for UberBlack service, although it will work as a fancy UberX car. However, don't let that happen otherwise Uber will "transition" you to UberX status, and you will lose your UberBlack account status. This means that you must find a car to replace the old one before it becomes too old.
A final word
UberBlack is a commercial level limousine service; you need commercial ride-share insurance, you need airport access permit, you must have a livery or TLC license and your car must be in top performance and shape. You will also need to be a bit more conscientious of your passenger's needs, such as opening the doors for them, taking their luggage and stowing it as well as retrieving it for them. Your dress code will have to be on par with the car; you don't want a Mercedes S class driver in shorts, sandals, and a Hawaii shirt.
On many occasions, drivers will receive high profile rides, famous models, actors, business people. Don't fawn over them like a fan or ask for selfies. Try to maintain a professional stance and just be courteous and polite and always be prompt, this is the one service where the passenger doesn't wait for the driver.