Notes for drivers
The notebook.
Practical write-ups for driving Sydney and Melbourne: where the fares are, when, and what to keep for tax time.
31 articles
- FinanceUber's Pay-Per-Kilometre Insurance ExplainedUber now sells a comprehensive policy priced partly on the kilometres you drive on trip. It is underwritten by Vero, it is optional, and it does not cover you while you are logged into DiDi, Bolt or Uber Eats.6 min read
- FinanceTesla Rideshare Insurance in Australia: Why It Costs MoreA Tesla is cheap to run and expensive to insure, and on rideshare the second number often decides whether the car works at all. What drives the premium, and the kilometre threshold where the fuel saving finally catches up.7 min read
- Getting StartedUber Driver Requirements in Victoria 2026Three things changed for Victorian rideshare drivers this year: a QR code you must display, a levy on every completed trip, and a portal detail you have to confirm by September. Plus what accreditation actually involves.6 min read
- FinanceComprehensive vs Third Party for RideshareThird party property covers the other driver's car. Comprehensive covers yours too. For a rideshare driver that difference is not about the car, it is about how many weeks you spend not earning.6 min read
- Getting StartedUber Driver Requirements in NSW 2026Your blood alcohol limit is 0.02, not 0.05. You cannot queue for work in a hotel forecourt. And you must display a retroreflective sign most Sydney drivers have never heard of. The rules as the Commissioner writes them.7 min read
- FinancePeer-to-Peer Car Sharing and RideshareCan you borrow a shared car and drive Uber in it? Almost certainly not, and the reason is written into why Uber closed its own car sharing platform in 2024: insurance, theft and repair costs on a car being driven by someone who does not own it.6 min read
- EarningsIs the Uber Quest Worth It? Do the Maths Before You Chase ItA Quest is priced to buy the hours you were not going to drive, so the only sum that matters is what those particular hours pay. Two worked examples on the same driver: one is money, the other is eleven hours for A$40.6 min read
- Airport TipsHow to Maximise Airport Pickups at Sydney & Melbourne AirportsTerminal by terminal, when the arrival waves land at Sydney and Melbourne, how the 11pm Sydney curfew reshapes a night shift, and how to tell whether the queue is actually paying.9 min read
- EarningsBest Times to Drive Uber in Sydney and Melbourne in 2026The windows that pay in Sydney and Melbourne, the reason each one exists, and three checks that separate a real earning window from someone's habit.9 min read
- StrategySurge Pricing Explained: How Australian Rideshare Drivers Can Earn MoreWhat surge actually is, the five things that trigger it, why chasing a visible surge loses money, and when a multiplier is worth less than it looks.8 min read
- ComparisonUber vs DiDi vs Ola in Australia: What Changed and Which Pays Best NowOla left Australia in April 2024 with two days' notice. Here is what remains, why the platform with the higher commission often pays more per hour, and what to check before joining the next one.8 min read
- EarningsHow Much Do Uber Drivers Actually Make in Australia?The gross figure everyone quotes is not the number that reaches your account. Here is the full stack of costs between a fare and what you keep, with the arithmetic laid out.8 min read
- FinanceGST and BAS for Rideshare Drivers: What You Actually Have to LodgeRideshare is one of the only jobs in Australia where GST starts at the first dollar. What that means, what a BAS is, when it is due, and how much to hold back each week.9 min read
- FinanceThe 12-Week Logbook, Step by StepA logbook takes twelve weeks to fill and then works for five years. What has to be in it, how the percentage is used, and how to tell whether it beats the cents per kilometre method.8 min read
- FinanceRideshare Driver Tax in Australia: GST, Deductions and the Logbook Method (2026–27)GST from your first trip, BAS, and why full-time drivers using cents per kilometre can leave thousands unclaimed. What the ATO says, in plain English.7 min read
- Airport TipsDriving Sydney Airport: Terminals, Curfew and the QueueSydney Airport rewards drivers who understand its clock. The 11pm curfew, the 6am restart, why T1 and the domestic terminals are two different shifts, and when the queue stops paying.7 min read
- ComparisonUberX, Comfort, XL or Premier: Which Tier Is Worth the Car?Higher tiers pay more per trip and fewer of them exist. What each tier requires, where the extra fare goes, and how to work out whether the bigger car pays for itself.7 min read
- EarningsBest Time to Drive Uber in Sydney: Hour-by-Hour Breakdown for 2026A Sydney-specific guide to the most profitable hours, suburbs, and surge windows for Uber and DiDi drivers.9 min read
- EarningsHow to Make More Money Driving Uber in Australia: 12 Proven StrategiesPractical, data-backed strategies to increase your rideshare earnings in Australia — from surge positioning to tax deductions and multi-apping.10 min read
- EarningsUber Peak Hours Melbourne: When to Drive for Maximum Earnings in 2026Melbourne-specific breakdown of the most profitable hours for Uber and DiDi drivers — from CBD commutes to MCG event surges.9 min read
- SafetyHow to Stay Safe as a Rideshare Driver in Sydney and MelbourneEssential safety tips for Uber and DiDi drivers operating in Sydney and Melbourne — from late-night strategies to handling difficult passengers.7 min read
- EventsEvent Driving Guide: Maximise Earnings at MCG, SCG & Sydney Olympic ParkHow to earn more driving rideshare around major event venues in Sydney and Melbourne — positioning, timing, and surge strategies for game days and concerts.7 min read
- Getting StartedRideshare Driver Car Setup: Best Cars and Accessories for Australian DriversEverything you need to know about choosing the right car and setting it up for rideshare driving in Australia — from vehicle requirements to must-have accessories.9 min read
- Driver TipsHow to Get a 5-Star Rating as an Australian Rideshare DriverPractical tips for maintaining a perfect rating on Uber and DiDi — from car presentation to route choices that keep passengers happy.6 min read
- EarningsWeekend Night Driving in Sydney & Melbourne: Is It Worth It?An honest look at the earnings, risks, and realities of late-night rideshare driving on Friday and Saturday nights in Australia's biggest cities.7 min read
- Getting StartedRideshare Driver Fuel & EV Guide: Petrol vs Electric in AustraliaShould you switch to an EV for rideshare driving? A practical comparison of running costs, charging logistics, and real-world experience in Sydney and Melbourne.8 min read
- Getting StartedHow to Sign Up as a Rideshare Driver in NSW and VictoriaStep-by-step guide to getting approved as an Uber or DiDi driver in New South Wales and Victoria — including licences, checks, and vehicle requirements.7 min read
- StrategyMulti-Apping in Australia: Running Uber and DiDi at OnceHow to run both rideshare apps at the same time without damaging your standing on either: the rules, the setup, and when a second app actually adds income.7 min read
- StrategyRainy Day Driving Strategy for Sydney & Melbourne Rideshare DriversRain is the ultimate surge trigger. Learn how to capitalise on wet weather in Sydney and Melbourne while staying safe and maintaining your ratings.6 min read
- FinanceRideshare Insurance in Australia: What You Actually NeedNavigating car insurance as a rideshare driver in Australia is confusing. Here's a clear breakdown of what's required, what's optional, and what could save you thousands.7 min read
- Driver TipsHow to Handle Difficult Passengers as an Australian Rideshare DriverFrom rude riders to no-shows and safety concerns — practical strategies for dealing with challenging passenger situations while protecting your rating and safety.6 min read