Prelude:
This is a sequel to a Pulse.ng feature on which tells the story of the circumstances leading up to me becoming an Uber driver in Lagos. If you would like to hear more about my driving escapades, please follow me on Twitter @UberLagosDriver. Through this, I aim to openly highlight the steps leading up to me going from unemployed to an employer of labour in 6 months. There is no secret. There is no godfather. This is not for “light-skinned females only. There is no “egunje” either. This is a very straightforward, transparent process that anyone can be a part of, and I wish you all the best as you read on.
I could barely contain my excitement after being introduced me to the idea of being an Uber driver. I couldn’t believe I was going to be employed and independent again and I earnestly got to the task of making enquiries.
Luckily, I had received the contact details for a couple of driver consultancies and I got in touch with one called Lington & Bernie, who put me through a written test before putting me forward for the onboarding.
The agency then booked and provided me with a date for the Uber drivers onboarding. The process works slightly differently for car-owner-partners wishing to book their drivers for the onboarding. In this case, you would need to visit ubernigeria.com/calendar to book an onboarding session on behalf of your driver.
I had to get ready a couple of documents for the driver onboarding:
- Valid drivers license with at least 90 days validity before the expiry date
- LASDRI card
The challenge of raising money to pay for a drivers license then arose, but I never stopped believing in God and he sure didn’t fail me.
Getting my LASDRI card
There are several locations in Lagos where the Lagos State Drivers Institute card can be obtained. The most accessible for most people is the LASTMA office, although I attended a different branch – the one along Badagry expressway. On the said day, I arrived at their office and once I established what I was there for, was advised to pay ₦1k into an Ecobank account. You could be forgiven for thinking that this was a straightforward task, but it wasn’t as easy as I had anticipated. I found out that not all Ecobank branches accepted the LASDRI payment and so a fresh journey to find a branch that accepted the LASDRI payment began. Finally, I was able to make the payment at the Ecobank inside the barracks at Ojo, Badagry expressway. My payment took 2 days to reflect, thanks to the Lagos States government server being down. Eventually, the payment was reflected and I triumphantly attended the LASDRI office the day after, because my God pass them.
I arrived with my bank teller at the LASDRI office at 8am the next morning. It has to be 8am as they conducted their own tests, held an interactive class and also captured my ID. The whole proocess took the better part of the day, but I got it in the end.
As I already had my genuine Drivers license which I obtained from the Federal Road Safety Corp in the past, I took this with my newly acquired LASDRI to the Uber office for the onboarding session.
The onboarding session lasted a full day. It was more like a training session with an examination at the end. I arrived smartly dressed (Uber has a “no jeans” policy), and had to take several tests in several areas including knowledge of Lagos and the use of the Uber app. I also had to submit a background check and carry out a psychometric test on the day. The psychometric test involved basic instructions which aimed to assess my reasoning and aptitude. I passed it well and that was how I got into the system at Uber. I got paired with a benevolent partner and the rest is still history being made.
While I still drive for Uber, I have had a few requests from people asking me to manage their cars for them for a regular fixed income while they work their full-time job. I have just signed on my first 4 clients, and I hope that this encourages anyone out there rebuilding their life again after a tragedy. I welcome your comments and am more than happy to help anyone with any questions.
Hi, thanks for sharing this story. As someone looking to start an Uber biz, I’d like to ask, what do you mean when you say you manage cars for 4 different clients? Does that mean you drive their cars and help them make money via the Uber platform? Or what’s your function in that position exactly?
could you please give a details explanation of what the psychometric and logic text is all about, because i just bought a car i would like to enroll or partner with uber
Hi Apolus,
Psychometric and logic tests are very simple tests to show that you reason well. E.g “1+2 and 16-15, which is greater”?
They don’t tend to need much preparation but if you do want to prepare, you can try PriceWaterCoopers free assessment tool: http://elearn.pwc.co.uk/psychometric/try.html
Please I really need help ,I have spent all my savings in drivers license and the lasdri card because I want to become an Uber driver ,which I have already gotten the two
I have also registered and passed their online training but I have been at home for almost a month now because I can’t get a car and I don’t know where to rent a car
Please I really need help I base in surulere Lagos State if there is any way you can help a brother this is my no 08163284850 thanks
Thanks for sharing your story which i believe it has helped a lot of people by now to move on with life. actually am a newly activated Uber driver but yet to get a partner/car to drive, like you said in your post “(I have had a few requests from people asking me to manage their cars for them)” Please i will need you to assist me in getting a partner here is my Info:
Name : Celestine # 08035715117 email:celestine740@gmail.com
No problems, I will put a request out for you.
Hello, please how was the background check done, I’ve always wanted to know how Uber got trustworthy and respectful drivers. plus what is your average income as a driver per month. thank you
Hi, am really interested in becoming an Uber driver with pleasure so am still doing my processing planning to go for lasdri card now and I believe God will help me alltru I can wait anymore, and pls I if u can dm for any information I will apreciate thanks..
Just persist my brother. It is worth it in the end – especially at this time.
Please I really need help ,I have spent all my savings in drivers license and the lasdri card because I want to become an Uber driver ,which I have already gotten the two
I have also registered and passed their online training but I have been at home for almost a month now because I can’t get a car and I don’t know where to rent a car
Please I really need help I base in surulere Lagos State if there is any way you can help a brother this is my no 08163284850 thanks