Private clients
Build a private-client book on top of gig driving.
After 6+ months on the platforms, many drivers field requests from riders who want to book them direct. Here's how to actually turn those into a private chauffeur business — separate from your platform driving, without breaking the rules that get you deactivated.
When this makes sense
This isn't a starting move. It's a graduation move for active drivers who already have demand.
You're 6+ months in
Less than that and you don't have the routes, the regulars, or the muscle memory to handle private bookings reliably.
You drive consistent hours and areas
Private clients want predictability. If you only drive weekends, your offering is limited.
You're already getting repeat-customer requests
Riders asking 'can I book you direct?' is the demand signal. Without it, you're prospecting cold.
You want to keep more per fare
Uber/Lyft take 25–40% per ride. Private booking is 100% to you, but you carry the overhead, insurance, and acquisition.
The rules — read these before anything else
Most drivers who get deactivated for this didn't know the line. The line is real.
Do NOT solicit private bookings during platform trips
Uber and Lyft both prohibit soliciting riders for off-platform business. Active in-ride solicitation is the fastest path to deactivation.
A business card at end of ride is in a gray area
Handing a card with no verbal pitch is generally tolerated. Verbally pitching during the ride is not. Many drivers split the difference: card on the seat, no words.
Private hire usually requires commercial auto insurance
Your personal policy or rideshare endorsement does NOT cover paid private transport. You need a commercial policy — different product, higher premium.
Some cities require a chauffeur or for-hire license
NYC (TLC), Chicago, San Francisco, Boston have explicit chauffeur permits. Many smaller cities do not. Check your state DMV + city/county clerk.
Crossing state lines = USDOT registration
If you do private interstate hire, federal motor carrier rules kick in (USDOT number). Local-only is usually exempt.
How drivers actually do this
The realistic path from gig driver to private operator, in order.
Start with the regulars you already have. The school-run mom, the weekly airport client, the after-work bar rider — they're your seed list.
End-of-ride handoff: leave a business card, don't pitch verbally. 'Available for private bookings' on the card. That's enough.
When a rider texts you outside the platform, take it to a real conversation: how often, where, what days, what they need.
Schedule recurring bookings before you take new gig hours. Standing weekly clients pay more reliably than one-off platform rides.
Use gig platforms for NEW customer acquisition, private for retention. Treat each platform ride as a chance to earn a repeat off-platform.
Track everything: client list, miles, hours, pay. This is a real business now, not a gig.
The business stack
What to set up before you take a paying private client. Treat the stack like a checklist.
LLC formation
Bizee (formerly Incfile) and ZenBusiness do basic LLC formation for $0 + state fees. LegalZoom is pricier but adds compliance reminders.
Commercial auto
Progressive Commercial, Hagerty, or Hiscox. Quote at the LLC level once formed. Premium is typically $2K–$5K/year for a single vehicle.
Stripe, Square, or PayPal Business
Stripe is best if you want recurring/automated billing. Square works in-person. Skip Venmo personal — get a real business account.
Calendly or Square Appointments
Free tiers exist for both. Calendly is simpler; Square integrates with payments. Many drivers just use iMessage for first 5 clients.
Moo or Vistaprint
Moo is higher quality; Vistaprint is cheaper. Get 250 minimum. Include name, phone, 'Private bookings' tagline — no platform names.
Wave (free) or QuickBooks SE
Wave covers invoicing, mileage, and basic books for free. QuickBooks Self-Employed is $15/mo and is what most CPAs prefer.
Pricing reality
Typical rates in 2026. Cities with high cost of living trend toward the top of each range.
Hourly
$40–$80/hr in most cities. $100+ for executive sedan in NYC, SF, LA.
Mileage-based
$1.50–$3.00/mile — well above gig rates after platform cuts and tips.
Standing weekly clients
Typically $60–$100/hr with a 2-hour minimum. Discount slightly for reliability.
Airport runs
Flat rates: $50 (short metro), $80–$120 (mid metro), $150+ (longer hauls). Build a sheet by airport.
Hourly with wait time
Many private clients want you on standby (medical appointments, events). Bill at 70–80% of driving rate for wait.
Don't do this if
Honest gates. If any of these apply, skip private clients for now and keep building the foundation.
You don't have 6+ months of platform-driving experience and good ratings.
You don't have a base of repeat riders asking for direct bookings.
You don't have $1–$2K to set up the business stack (LLC, commercial insurance, cards).
You're under 21 or have less than 2 years licensed.
Your car is not recent, clean, and presentable for paying business riders.
You can't separate platform driving from private bookings cleanly — that's how deactivations happen.
The honest summary. Private clients work when you've built real reliability and demand through the platforms first. The platforms are your customer acquisition machine; private is your retention layer. Keep them separate, never solicit during platform trips, and treat private as a real business — LLC, commercial insurance, accounting — not a side cash grab.
Still building your gig driving foundation? Start with the 60-second check and the platform applications first. Come back here when you've got 6+ months in.