October 28

How to Become A Hitch Driver (A Complete 2023 Guide)

Thinking about becoming a Hitch driver? 

Are you not sure how to apply?

Or maybe you’re still wondering if it’s worth it. 

Well, we’re here to answer all your questions. 

Today, we’re going to give you a complete guide on how to become a Hitch driver. On top of that, we’ll also dive deeper and see how to earn with Hitch and all its pros and cons. 

There’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in!

How to Become a Hitch Driver in 4 Steps

If you want to become a Hitch driver, then here are the 4 steps:

  • Download the Hitch mobile app
  • Meet the qualifications
  • Upload your documents
  • Wait for approval

Let’s get into the details. 

Step 1: Download the Hitch Mobile App

The first thing you must do is download the Hitch app. Don’t worry — regardless of whether you’re an Android or Apple user, you can get it from their respective stores.

However, make sure you download the right one. You may run into other apps called Hitch but aren’t in the ridesharing business.

Search for “Hitch — Regional Ridesharing” if you want to be sure. Or, you can click here for the Android version and here for the iOS version. 

Step 2: Meet the Qualifications

Once you have the app, it’s time to sign up. Fortunately, the steps are straightforward (not to mention short — there are only two of them).

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Tap the tab on your home screen that says Drive.
  1. Ensure you meet all the requirements Hitch has. Remember, you’re not the only one who has to qualify. Your car has to be compliant, too.

Here are the vehicle requirements:

  • It cannot be more than 15 years old
  • It must have at least 4 doors
  • It must be registered and insured

And here are the driver requirements:

  • You must have an active driver’s license
  • You must pass the following checks:
    • County Criminal Search
    • National Criminal Search
    • Sex Offender Search
    • SSN Trace
    • Global Watchlist Trace

Step 3: Upload Your Documents

Hitch provides services to people who need to get to a different city — and safety can be a source of worry. It wants to assure potential passengers that they’ll be in good hands.

As a result, Hitch also needs assurance that you and your vehicle meet their standards. 

For that, you’ll need to upload several documents as part of the process. These include the following:

  • Your driver’s license

NOTE: It must be active, and you must have full driving privileges

  • Your vehicle’s valid registration 

NOTE: It must show the expiration date and license plate number

  • Your insurance documents 

NOTE: It must indicate the expiration date and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If your policy covers more than one driver, it must list all their names.

Besides submitting these documents, you also need to encode your Social Security Number. It allows Hitch to complete a background check and ensure everything is good.

Step 4: Wait for Approval

Once you’ve encoded the required information and uploaded the necessary documents, it’s now in Hitch’s hands. 

Hitch takes pains to review every application because safety is a primary concern. Unfortunately, you may have to wait a while before receiving a response. 

You must extend patience at this point because Hitch conducts the reviews manually and doesn’t give you updates on your application.

However, if you’re approved, it’s hard to miss. You’ll receive an email containing the approval. It also includes the remaining steps for you to complete becoming a driver for Hitch.

How to Earn with Hitch

Once you’re a Hitch driver, it’s time to get started. 

But how?

Let’s go over some of the basics. 

How to Use the Hitch App

The first thing you need to do is learn how to navigate the Hitch app. 

Well, here is what you should do: 

  1. Enter your destination and then swipe left. This will give you access to the driver’s side of the app.
  1. Indicate the number of available seats. 
  1. Put the time you want to leave for your destination.

NOTE: Both the number of available seats and your time of departure affects your earnings, so check the estimated amount before finalizing it.

  1. Drive to a pick-up location, which Hitch will conveniently station along your route. 
  1. Check-in as soon as you arrive — that tells your passengers that you’re already there.
  1. Wait for your passengers to meet you at the pick-up point. A Hitch member will already have verified their identity, so you know you’re good to go.

Once all your passengers are there, you can go on your way!

How to Cash Out with Hitch

As you go on your trips and start earning, the next question is, “How do I get my money?”

You can access your earnings tab through the menu on your mobile app. It’ll show you how many rides and riders you’ve had. You can also see how much you’ve earned and whether or not you’ve received tips.

Now, we didn’t mention this before, but it’s crucial to update your information on your earnings tab before your first ride. If not, Hitch won’t be able to give you your earnings.

Fortunately, it’s easy. Just follow these 2 steps:

  1. Put in the address connected to your banking details.
  2. Choose your mode of payment. 

NOTE: Hitch gives two options – standard or instant.

Your mode of payment is how you cash out with Hitch. Although both modes allow Hitch to deposit your earnings directly to your account, choosing one over the other may affect when you get it and how much you’ll receive.

That said, let’s quickly go over the payment modes. 

A standard payout takes two to three business days to process. However, you will get your full earnings without any fees. 

As for the instant payout, you will receive your earnings within half an hour. But, for this service, you need to pay a payout fee. 

How Much Do Hitch Drivers Make

Hitch guarantees at least $21 per hour, per rider. According to Indeed, the average earning of Hitch drivers is $22.36 per hour. 

However, remember that the amount you earn can vary depending on several factors. These include the following:

  • The number of available seats
  • Your destination
  • The day of the week
  • The time of the day

Can You Earn More With Hitch?

The short answer is yes. 

And you can do it in a couple of ways…

  • Increase the number of trips. Remember, you don’t need to limit your rides to occasions where you want to visit friends or family in a different city. 
  • Review your schedule and see if you make regular trips. For example, if you work in a different city, you can try to see if you can get passengers going to or from your office.

Besides the guaranteed earnings from Hitch, you can also earn from tips.

Here are some ways to keep your riders happy and willing to tip you:

  • Always be respectful. There’s no harm in striking up a conversation, but ensure you’re not overstepping your boundaries. It’s always best to be able to read the room — if you can see that your rider wants some quiet time, let them have it.
  • Be punctual. Most Hitch riders have something to attend to at their destination. If you say you’re leaving at a specific time, make sure you do. Remember, that’s part of the reason they chose to ride with you.
  • Make safety your priority. Don’t be distracted, and practice safe driving techniques.
  • Keep communication lines open. If it’s a long trip and you think you’ll need to stop along the way, make sure you tell your riders about it. It’s best to manage everyone’s expectations early. 

What Being a Hitch Driver is Like

There’s no better way to figure out whether Hitch driving is for you than to try it. However, hearing other people’s perspectives is a great place to start.

You can check out these videos:

Pros and Cons of Being a Hitch Driver

Of course, there’s no such thing as a perfect company. So it’s best to have your eyes wide open about what benefits and drawbacks you’re likely to encounter with Hitch. 

Pros

Here are the pros of being a Hitch driver:

  • It’s the cherry on top of a pre-planned trip. Remember, the logic behind Hitch is you’re already going somewhere and are just looking for people traveling in the same direction (and earning money along the way!)
  • It’s efficient. Hitch caters to riders who need to travel from one city to another. As a result, you’ll usually have long drives, which is great for fuel consumption. You can earn a lot even if you have fewer trips because of the distance.
  • It gives you control. You get to decide how many seats you want to make available. You also select the destination, which is something that other rideshare drivers don’t have the luxury of doing.

Cons

And here are the drawbacks to being a Hitch driver:

  • It doesn’t operate nationwide. Hitch’s operations are currently limited to Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma, so if you live in these areas, you’re in luck!
  • Earning may be limited. Driving for Hitch may be a good side hustle, but it can’t be your sole source of income or your day job. 
  • It may require more patience from you. You will meet all sorts of people from all walks of life when you’re a rideshare driver. However, long drives may wear down your patience. Unfortunately, you’ll have to keep the frustration in if you hope to earn extra through tips.

Conclusion

That was your complete guide on how to become a Hitch driver. 

Now that you know all the details, you’re more than ready to get started. 

Intercity, long drives may take getting used to, but you can make it work to your advantage. 

So what are you waiting for?

If you feel like Hitch is for you, then apply today!

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