What is Uber Freight? (how it works, what do you need + more)

What is Uber Freight? (how it works, what do you need + more)

Since Uber first launched, it has continued to expand with different offerings based on customers’ transportation needs and budgets.

One of its new services is Uber Freight, and we investigated and collected the following information about it!

What is Uber Freight in 2022?

Uber Freight is a service that allows truck drivers to provide transportation to customers through an app. Uber Freight is currently only open to drivers with 18-wheel rigs, so it can manage more bulky shipments. Since its launch in 2017, Uber Freight has launched different models, including Fleet and Powerloop, to attract more drivers and users.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about Uber Freight, including how it works, what you need to get started, and more!

How does Uber Freight work for drivers?

Uber Freight provides drivers with access to shipments through the app and the freedom to accept or reject them.

Drivers can choose to filter the displayed offers based on the distance they want to drive, divided into the following tiers:

1. Local Shipping – Under 100 Miles
2. Short trips – 100 to 300 miles
3. Long distance – over 300 miles

They can also filter based on pickup city and date, as well as the equipment they have.

Freight quotation includes:

1. Pick up date
2. distance
3. weight
4. number of loads
5. commodity
6. Required equipment
7. type of packaging

After they accept the load, they need to pick it up from the place specified by the customer and deliver it within the specified window.

When they’ve made the delivery, they’ll need to take a photo of the bill of lading and send it to Uber to prove they’ve made the delivery, and then wait to receive payment.

What does Uber Freight need?

To sign up to drive with Uber Freight, you’ll need the following:

1. A suitable vehicle with a 53-foot trailer, i.e. dry van, flatbed or refrigerated truck
2. A proof of insurance that you have at least $1 million in auto liability coverage and $100,000 in cargo liability coverage.If you use a reefer, you will also need reefer failsafe
3. Unconditional and Satisfactory Safety Rating
4. Personal Transportation Department Motor Carrier Number
5. National motor vehicle carrier registration certificate

If you’re using a dry van, you’ll need a 45,000-pound van with vents front and rear.

If your dry truck trailer is plated, you will need the following:

1. swing door
2. At least 102 inches wide
3. No wood paneling on interior walls
4. Do damage-free food-grade trailers

If you use a cooler, you will need a cooler with a capacity of 43,500 lbs, in addition to the additional insurance requirements.

If you’re using a flatbed trailer, you’ll need a 48,000-pound trailer. Slabs Unlike other options, you can use a 48-foot slab.

Your proof of insurance, your certificate of insurance, should show that the certificate holder is Registry Monitoring Insurance Services Inc (RMIS).

Does Uber Freight offer trucks?

Unfortunately, Uber Freight doesn’t offer trucks. As with all of the company’s other services, drivers need to use their own vehicles.

Do you need your own Uber Freight trailer?

In most cases, unless you’re using a mode like Powerloop, you’ll need your own Uber Freight trailer.

What is Uber Powerloop?

Uber Powerloop is a mode in freight that allows drivers to pick up pre-loaded trailers for faster delivery.

Powerloop is a separate service, also owned by Uber, but with its own app that offers trailer rentals.

It works by turning the driver into a “power-only” third party whose role is to provide the truck (“power”) to get the trailer to its destination.

Is Uber Freight Profitable?

Whether Uber Freight is profitable or not depends on how you use the service, which depends on the following factors:

1. where do you work
2. The type and quantity of goods you have booked
3. what equipment do you have
4. who owns the rig you are using

Uber Freight is often paid in the hundreds, and some even into the thousands, but depending on where you work, you may have a hard time finding a steady supply.

Uber Freight takes a 1% commission on each load, which is lower than the 15% to 20% commission of traditional brokers, but we expect this to rise as the service becomes more popular.

Cost is also a key factor in how much you take home, as just buying a truck and trailer can cost you around $150,000 before factors like gas and maintenance are factored in.

How often is Uber shipping paid?

Uber Freight pays you based on how often you ship your shipments. Payment will be issued on Wednesday and Friday after you provide proof of delivery.

How much does Uber Freight pay for detention?

Uber Freight pays $75 per hour (up to 4 hours) or $300 per hour, but only if the driver follows these steps:

1. Book their loads through the app
2. Send GPS tracking updates throughout the drive
3. Submit proof of delivery and signed bill of lading with entry and exit times

If an Uber Freight driver misses any of the above, they only get $50 per hour in detention fees. Freight launched in 2017 without the system, but it will be available later in 2019.

Does Uber Freight do fast payments?

Uber Freight Quickpay within 7 days at no additional cost.

Can I use a box truck for Uber shipping?

Unfortunately, you cannot use a van for Uber Freight. As of now, the service uses vehicles with 53-foot trailers, which means box trucks are not eligible.

Can I use a pickup truck for Uber delivery?

Unfortunately, you can’t use a pickup truck for Uber Freight because you need a 53-foot trailer to deliver the service.

However, if your pickup has four doors and seating for at least five people (four passengers and a driver), you might be able to use it for a regular Uber ride.

What does Uber Freight deliver?

Uber Freight is designed to move large shipments weighing thousands to tens of thousands of pounds, mostly from businesses.

Its main customers are people who wish to use 18-wheelers to transport their items.

To learn more, you can also read our posts on What is My Uber Rating, What is Uber Pet, and What is Uber Premier.

in conclusion

Uber Freight is a transportation service that matches truck drivers with people with large loads. As of now, Uber Freight only uses 18-wheelers.

Drivers who work for Uber Freight keep 99% of their earnings, but they must use their own trucks and trailers.