Can International Students Drive Uber in Canada?

International students have acquired driving for Uber to earn extra income while studying. Whether or not you can drive Uber in Canada as a Canadian student visa depends on many factors, including the type of vehicle, province of study, driving history, etc.

In this article, we have covered the various aspects related to driving an Uber in Canada. Scroll down further to learn about the eligibility criteria for international students in Canada.

Why Do Students Drive Uber in Canada?

• Flexible Schedule

There are no strict restrictions or requirements to drive Uber in Canada. One can work whenever they want, at any time and day. No schedule has to be followed, and they are not required to work for a proper number of hours.

• Good Income

Driving an Uber can earn a student an average of $20 per hour, which is a good way of earning the extra cash to pay house rent, bills, or fees.

• Work Experience

Students manage their hours and day, earn money, and converses with different people by driving an Uber. It inculcates leadership skills that can add to your resume while graduating.

Uber Driver Requirements in Canada

• Driver Requirements

  • Must be of 21 years of age or older
  • Must possess a valid driver’s licence issued by the province.
  • Must have the authorisation to work in Canada.
  • Might have to undergo Uber training mandated by the city and/or submit a criminal background check.

• Vehicle Requirements

  • Must have a minimum of 4 seats and four doors in addition to the driver.
  • Must be ten or less than ten years old
  • Must be in good physical condition, or there should be no visible damage
  • Must clear a vehicle inspection test
  • The vehicle requirements are more relaxed for Uber Eats, a food delivery service.

The fulfillment of these general requirements will make you eligible to drive Uber in Canada. The very first step is to visit the Uber website and obtain your city’s driving checklist.

Is Uber in Every City in Canada?

Not every city in Canada has welcomed the ride-sharing prodigy, ‘Uber’. Hence, Uber cannot be found everywhere in Canada. Montreal, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, and Calgary offer Uber services, but major cities like Halifax and Vancouver have not allowed the establishment of Uber yet.

You need to keep in mind that Uber does not provide an exact list of the cities it has its operations in. Also, it is constantly expanding. So, for accurate information, you must check the Uber website for constant updates regarding its operations in your city.

Registration and Licence

To drive for Uber, you need to have an appropriate driver’s registration and licence. If you are an international student, the requirements of your driving licence will depend on the province you are living in while studying. Generally, Uber mandates that a student have a licence issued by the city’s provincial government where you will drive. Hence, your International Driving Permit (IDP) or foreign licence would not be enough for driving Uber in Canada.

Restrictions For Students

Anyone with a Canadian student visa can work up to 20 hours per week driving Uber. These hours are valid during the full-time study periods, or one can work full-time hours in the holiday period, except for some cases. This means that you are authorized to work for Uber, but you need to check the hours worked.

If you exceed the working hours on your study permit, you can end up jeopardising your status and future immigration applications to Canada.

Driving Cost

Before you sign up for Uber, you must understand the cost of driving in Canada. All the drivers in Canada must procure insurance, which is expensive. The cost of gas has to be considered as well. Parking can be costly in some areas, and the process can be time-consuming. So, before you decide on taking the step, carefully consider all the costs and expenses.

Can I drive Uber in Canada with a Work Permit?

No, a person cannot become an Uber driver in Canada with a work permit. This means that you will be working illegally, putting your status in the country in jeopardy. You are only permitted to work with your employer specified in the work permit. Driving an Uber is considered self-employment, making it illegal.

Uber Car Loan Options in Canada

You can become Uber driver Canada easily by only meeting a few requirements. There are various car loan options available offered by different banks and financial institutions that can help you acquire the car for Uber without hassle. Private companies also offer attractive loan packages that can be paid off at your convenience. 

• How to Apply For a Car Loan?

Apply for your Uber car loan in the following easy steps:

• • Provide your financial and personal information in the required application form. The application only takes about 10 minutes to complete. 
  • After submitting your application, you have to wait for the lender’s response. The lender will contact you to discuss your application, the terms and conditions, and the potential interest rate. The lender will pre-approve your application depending on your finances and what he has seen so far. 
  • After the lender has contacted you, gather your documents. If you think the lender’s loan offer is up to the mark then provide the documents for verification. These include pay stubs and government-issued ID. 
  • Now you have to wait for the lender’s decision. Once the supporting documents are submitted, the lender will notify you of the final decision or contact you for further information.
  • If your application is approved, your lender will then send a loan contract for your review. This contract will display significant information like repayment schedule, interest rate and loan term, which should be reviewed thoroughly. If you agree with the terms, sign the contract and give it to your lender. 

• Loan Eligibility Requirements

Lenders have their own eligibility criteria to approve a car loan for Uber in Canada. The general criteria is:

• • Ensure that you are of the majority age in your respective province. You need to be at least 21 years of age to drive for Uber. 
  • Be a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen. 
  • A steady income source (it ranges around $1,500-$1,800 for three months).
  • The minimum credit score requirement must also be met.

Tips For Paying Off Your Uber Car Loan

Your dream of fulfilling the Lyft or Uber Driver requirements Canada can be fulfilled with a car loan, but that is not it. To make your driving experience financially viable, you have to focus on paying off the loan on time, preferably in monthly installments. Follow these tips to pay off your Uber car loan. 

• Restrict Choosing the Longest Term

You would want to choose the longest loan term so that the monthly payments are low. However, a shorter term will ensure that you pay less interest through the course of the loan and touch the positive equity sooner. Most lenders allow you to pay back the car loan earlier if you want to. 

• Focus on Car Care

Ofcourse, with Uber you will be driving a lot, that could lead to more wear and tear on your car. You have to be diligent about the car care and schedule regular check-ups as mentioned in your service manual. It is a very important safe practice which can prevent large expenditures on repair bills and maintenance in the coming years. You can save this extra money towards your car loan balance. 

• Keep More Than One Option

Do not stick to one rideshare app. You can double your earning opportunity by driving for both Lyft and Uber. This way, you can accumulate the money faster to pay off your car loan.

• Keep in Mind Tax Season

Independent contractors are supposed to pay taxes but tax can be deducted on various vehicle expenses as per the CRA. It is very important to be aware about your entitlements as an Uber driver in Canada. 

• Do Not Quit your Day Job

Always start driving as a side dig and not as a full time income source to explore whether the earning potential is there or not. In most cases, the income earned from driving Uber is usually enough to cover the car expenses and loan, it might not be as lucrative as you might think.