Why I Stopped Driving for Uber After 10 Months / Find other work

Why I Stopped Driving for Uber After 10 Months

After ten months on the road, I made the decision to step away from driving for Uber. It was not emotional. It was practical. The economics, stress load, and overall working environment simply did not add up to a sustainable path.

1. The numbers did not work
   To earn what barely qualified as a livable income, I had to drive 10 to 12 hours a day, six days a week. My gross monthly intake averaged around 3,800 dollars. Out of that, 800 to 1,000 dollars went directly to gas. That does not include increased personal auto insurance, very frequent oil changes, faster tire and suspension wear, interior cleaning, and long-term vehicle depreciation. When you account for true operating costs, the net income drops to a level that is not realistic in a high-cost city.

2. The stress is constant
   Driving all day in a dense urban environment is relentless. There is no real mental break. From early morning to late at night, it is traffic, construction, aggressive drivers, and nonstop vigilance. What is marketed as flexible work can feel more like sustained high alert. Over time, that takes a real toll.

3. Passenger interactions add up
   Most riders were perfectly fine. But even if only 7 to 10 percent were rude, dismissive, or difficult, that becomes a daily factor. Drivers are expected to be professional and pleasant at all times, yet a single unfair comment or rating can impact your standing. Maintaining a high rating while absorbing occasional unwarranted criticism is emotionally draining. In other words, F*** this.

4. Driver support feels distant
   When issues came up, getting meaningful help from the company was frustrating. Communication often felt process-driven rather than human, with little sense that context or fairness was being considered. Drivers carry the risk on the road, but the support system can feel far removed from that reality.

5. The insurance reality drivers should understand
   There is a lot of marketing around large coverage numbers, but navigating a real claim can be complicated and adversarial. If you are ever in an accident while driving, documentation is everything. Take photos immediately. Document damage, the scene, the vehicles, the road, and your physical condition. Write down what happened while it is fresh. Small details matter later.

From there, be prepared for a process that can require persistence. You may be dealing with multiple insurance layers and parties whose goal is to limit payouts. Clear records, organized files, and consistent follow-up make a difference. It is also wise to seek qualified professionals when needed, whether for vehicle evaluation or medical care, so that any damage or injury is properly assessed and documented.

1. The driver environment can be aggressive
   Lots of Eastern European Mafioso type of drivers. In high-volume zones, especially airport queues, the atmosphere among drivers can become tense and competitive. Instead of a sense of professional camaraderie, it can feel territorial and stressful, with drivers under pressure to secure rides and position. That constant edge adds another layer of strain to work that is already demanding. Trust me, the app is not controlling everything.

2. Night driving brings added risk
   Late-night shifts often meant transporting heavily intoxicated passengers. That increases the chances of difficult interactions, messes in the vehicle, safety concerns, and unpredictable situations. What might look like higher fares can come with a disproportionate level of stress and liability.

Conclusion

Bottom line, the system is built to extract maximum labor and vehicle use while shifting most of the risk onto the driver. It wears you down physically, financially, and mentally. For me, continuing would have meant sacrificing my car and my well-being for diminishing returns. O yes, and the Uber vibe is corporate bullshite