Driving

Reality (Who this may fit)

Home bound, Re-Entry, Prefer working alone
Re-Entry, Disabled, 55 and over, want something to do, and you

Time pressure creates opportunity.

How can I compete with Uber or the Taxi Cab?

You can’t

What you’ll do is on a smaller scale, but like Uber, you can drive anytime you want. 

In many cases. you’ll be building relationships with repeat riders, you have the freedom of choosing the people you drive for, and you don’t have to have a late model car. 

What if I get lost, or I’m late?

Review the route before leaving and use your phone to communicate with your rider. You always know if you’re going to be late. 

Being ready means familiarizing yourself with the GPS/Map functions and carrying an extra charger.

I don’t want to be at someone’s beck and call

There’s no need to. The beauty of this work is that you can set hours, schedule rides, and leave an informative voicemail message.

Who Needs this?

Anyone without a car. Affordable rides beats out most modes of transportation. Rides increase when people need to get to medical appointments, when their own vehicle breakdowns, when family is unavailable, or temporary transportation gaps. When you are saving people time with the short trips – you’re earning money. 

Grocery Transportation.        Setup Time: Half, to a whole day. 

Some people wait at stores and keep an eye out for people loaded down with bags, or are clearly waling. However, these rides can be scheduled. Always keep a clean trunk and try not to keep the customer waiting. 

Companion Driver.        Setup Time: A few hours

Some people need transportation, but they also appreciate having someone accompany them to appointments, wait during visits, or help carry items. Trust and reliability often matter more than speed.

Errand Driver.        Setup Time: One day

Being an errand driver often means driving alone. You can set up your days to be as full or as light as you’d like. This is especially good work if. you’re willing to schedule the errands for the following day, or later in the week. This job will involve organizing your time and travel, being flexible, shopping and keeping records,

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

  • Decide what driving service you’ll offer.
  • Know the area you want to work in.
  • Make sure your vehicle is clean and reliable.
  • Keep your phone charged and with you.
  • Keep a notebook for clients and schedules.

 

  • Tell people you’re available.
  • Ask one person for a referral.
  • Plan your first regular route.
  • Set your starting price.
  • Start with one client.

Who Pays?

  • Seniors who no longer drive
  • Busy families
  • People recovering from illness or injury
  • Individuals without transportation
  • People who need help running errands
  • Anyone who values convenience more than doing it themselves

If you have a credit card, you can purchase items first and collect later – rather than spending time picking up the money.  

Ways to Earn More

  • Combine multiple errands into a route.
  • Offer grocery pickup and delivery.
  • Add pharmacy pickups.
  • Offer appointment transportation.
  • Build recurring weekly customers.
  • Provide waiting services during appointments.

What This Work Can Lead to/Related Work

An additional driver on your route, to start
A company with independent contractors
Concierge services
Route based services

Smart Moves

  • Use texting to confirm appointments and pickup times.
  • Keep a phone charger in the vehicle.
  • Group errands by area to reduce driving time.
  • Keep records of repeat customers.
  • Let customers know about additional services you offer.
  • Use mobile payment methods to make payment easier.

Take Inventory – You’re More Capable Than You Think

You already know how to drive, plan a route, shop, compare prices, keep track of purchases, and find your way around town. You communicate with people, solve small problems, and run errands for yourself every week. Many of the skills required for this work are things you already do.

Guess What?

Many people view a vehicle as transportation. It can also be a tool that solves problems. Driving work often begins with simple errands, appointments, or trips and may expand into larger services as relationships develop.

Activation Support

Interested in this work but unsure how to begin? Activation Support can help you take the first step. (Find out here)

Find out here.

Activation Support

Setup Time & What it Takes

One day. 
In a day, you can create cards for distribution, make a clear flyer, barter services for free printing, post them at a senior apartment complexes, hand cards out to people in the neighborhood as well at the stores where you will shop. In a day, you can get small boxes to place in the trunk of your car for organization, put together a master template for customer files, or set up a notebook. In a day, you can let church folks, and your nearby friends know of your new service

Back to the Basement

 

 

Page updated: July 6th, 2026