Rideshare Driver Checklist Everything You Need Before Your First Shift

This rideshare driver checklist for Melbourne covers everything to sort before your first Uber or DiDi shift, and it starts with an uncomfortable fact: most of the delay is admin, not driving. Miss one item, such as GST registration or a vehicle inspection, and your start date slips by days. If you still need a car, a week-to-week hybrid from SOZO Rent a Car in Brunswick can cover that line of the list, though you arrange your own approvals and platform account.

The list is grouped into five blocks: eligibility and paperwork, business registrations, approvals, the car, and your kit and plan. Each block says who handles what, so you can see which items sit with you, which with the platform, and which with a rental provider. Details are current as of October 2026 and drawn from Uber's Victorian pages and the ATO. Rules change, so confirm current requirements in the Uber or DiDi app before you pay for anything.

The rideshare driver checklist for Melbourne at a glance

Before your first shift, you need to be eligible to drive and work, hold an ABN and GST registration, have your platform account and Victorian accreditation approved, have a qualifying car that has passed its inspection, and carry the basic kit. Work through them in that order, because later steps depend on earlier ones.

Block 1: Eligibility and paperwork

Uber says drivers in Victoria must be at least 21, have access to a vehicle that meets its rules, and meet state licence tenure requirements. DiDi sets its own minimum age and documents, so check the DiDi Driver app. You also need the right to work in Australia, and Uber may ask for a VEVO check if it cannot verify yours automatically. Match your name and details exactly across every document, since mismatches cause the most avoidable delays.

Block 2: ABN and GST, the item people miss

Rideshare drivers must hold an ABN and be registered for GST before their first trip, regardless of how much they earn, according to the ATO. The usual $75,000 GST threshold does not apply to rideshare, and penalties and interest may apply if you skip it. You can apply for the ABN and GST together through the ATO's online services for business, which suggests the business description “taxi ride sourcing”. Give your ABN to the platform once you are registered.

This is general information, not accounting advice. A registered tax agent can set up your registrations and explain what you can claim. Do not assume a rental or running cost is deductible until you have checked.

Block 3: Approvals, platform account and Victorian accreditation

Uber runs its own background check, and Victoria separately requires driver accreditation through the state regulator, Safe Transport Victoria. Uber says it invites you to a vehicle inspection once your accreditation is uploaded to your profile, so start accreditation early, since it usually sets your start date. Our guide to how to pass the Uber background check and vehicle inspection covers both checks and the delays you can avoid.

Block 4: The car

Your car must meet the platform's current rules, pass the Victorian vehicle inspection, and be registered and insured correctly. Uber says passing the inspection does not by itself guarantee access to the app.

•    Check eligibility in the app. Age limits and tier rules differ between UberX, Comfort, and Green, and DiDi sets its own standards.

•    Keep proof of inspection. Uber's Victorian page says you must carry proof while online and display a CPV sign or an Uber identification sign.

•    Sort insurance questions early. Platform insurance and compulsory third party cover are separate questions for you to check. SOZO's published comprehensive cover is $20 a day, with a refundable deposit confirmed at booking.

•    Plan the pickup. SOZO's depot is at 15 Cozens St, Brunswick, open Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed Sunday, with after-hours pickup by arrangement. Same-day collection is possible if a car is free, but booking ahead is safer.

•    Bring the right payment. The deposit is authorised on a credit card in your name (Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Diners). Prepaid, Electron, Maestro and debit cards are not accepted for authorisation, and cash is not accepted at the desk.

•    Check the age rule. Drivers must be 25 or over for the Corolla Hybrid, Cerato, RAV4 Hybrid and Carnival. The Camry Hybrid minimum age is confirmed at booking.

•    Ask how inspection works for a rental. Before you book, ask SOZO who arranges the inspection, how registration is handled, and whether a CPV sign can be displayed on a rental.

Documents and approvals checklist

Block 5: Money, kit and safety

Money

Work out your weekly fixed cost before you go online. A SOZO Corolla Hybrid or Cerato is $40 a day plus $20 a day insurance, so $60 a day and about $420 for seven days, before fuel, tolls and infringements. That is a calculated total, not a separate weekly price. Track fuel, tolls and car costs from day one, and set money aside for tax and GST rather than treating every payout as take-home. The ATO says fuel tax credits are not available for light vehicles on public roads, including rideshare, so do not budget for them.

Kit

•    A phone mount that keeps the screen at eye level, a charger, and a spare cable.

•    Navigation and both driver apps tested at home, with payment and bank details confirmed.

•    A clean, tidy cabin and a quick check of tyres and fuel before you start.

Safety

•    Use the phone hands-free only, and confirm the current Victorian road rules before you start.

•    Plan breaks. Avoid stacking late-night shifts, and stop driving if you feel fatigued.

•    Allow for Melbourne weather. In rain or at night, slow down and leave extra following distance.

•    Check child restraint rules. If a rider has a child, know the current Victorian legal requirements, which you should confirm with VicRoads.

Your first shift plan

Start short and local rather than jumping into a full peak-hour city shift. A couple of hours around your pickup area lets you learn the apps and how the car behaves before the pressure builds. Our guide to the first week as an Uber driver in Melbourne walks through what that week usually looks like.

Getting ready without paying for a car too early

Hire is charged by the day or week, so time your pickup close to the day your approvals land rather than collecting weeks early. When you are ready, check weekly car rental in Brunswick or call the team on +61 430 090 545 to confirm availability. SOZO hire runs week to week with no lock-in contract, and SOZO supplies the car and its stated insurance, not platform approval.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need before my first Uber or DiDi shift in Melbourne?

You need the right to work, a licence, an ABN with GST registration, your platform account approved, and Victorian accreditation in place. Your car must qualify and pass its inspection too. Confirm each requirement in the Uber or DiDi app, since rules change, and allow time for accreditation, which often sets your start date.

Do I need to register for GST to drive for Uber in Melbourne?

Yes. According to the ATO, ride-sourcing drivers must register for GST before their first trip, regardless of turnover. You need an ABN first, and penalties and interest may apply if you skip it. This is general information, so confirm your situation with a registered tax agent or the ATO.

How long does it take to get ready to drive for Uber in Melbourne?

It varies, mainly with Victorian accreditation and document review, so neither Uber nor SOZO can promise a timeframe. Starting accreditation and your ABN and GST registration early, and keeping documents consistent, are the best ways to shorten it. Check your application status in the Uber Driver app.

Can I rent a car for my first shift in Brunswick?

Yes. SOZO hires cars week to week with no lock-in from 15 Cozens St, Brunswick, Monday to Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. You need a licence, ID, and a credit card in your name for the refundable deposit, and drivers must be 25 or over for most cars. SOZO supplies the car, not the platform.

What does a weekly rental cost for a rideshare car?

SOZO's Corolla Hybrid and Cerato are $40 a day plus $20 a day comprehensive insurance, about $420 for seven days. That total is calculated from the daily rate, not a separate weekly price, and fuel, tolls, and infringements are extra. A refundable deposit applies, with the amount confirmed at booking.