14 Perfect (+2 Stupid) Gift Ideas for Uber & Lyft Drivers for 2018

Looking for just the right gift for an Uber or Lyft driver but don’t know where to start? We’ve reviewed over 300 possibilities and narrowed them down to 14 great ideas — along with two you should probably avoid. Whether they are new to the ride sharing economy or experienced pros, this list offers something for every type of driver. Enjoy!

There’s nothing worse than a smelly car. But there are a lot of solutions to smell that are either ineffective or leave riders gasping for some real fresh air. The PURGGO freshener is a natural solution made with Bamboo Charcoal, which absorbs odors by trapping them inside. Winning rave reviews from users, it last more than 365 days — much longer than most fresheners.

A clean car is a key factor to improve one’s driver rating and ultimately earn more. Don’t waste money taking your car in to get detailed when you can easily do it yourself with this top-rated car vacuum. Use daily to keep your car germ free, smelling fresh and looking like new.

If your Uber driver is curious about business and entrepreneurship, consider this fun read by Adam Lashinsky detailing inside scoop on Uber’s rise. As the executive editor of Fortune magazine, Lashinsky takes a deep look into story behind Uber’s quest to dominate the world of transportation.

For safety reasons, we hope your driver is already using a phone mount. But chances are they are not using this cool magnetic mount, which offers the flexibility to attach any type of smart phone and even mini tablets. Hooking on to the car’s air vent, it keeps valuable window real estate unobstructed. The WizGear model, linked here, gets the best customer ratings.

Keep your Uber drive alert and spill-free with this expertly designed travel mug that’s perfect for the road. Will keep his or her coffee warm for up to five hours of driving. The auto-seal technology allows you to sip without having to unscrew the top while driving.

Available for both Uber and Lyft, an LED sign is a great way to make sure night time customers are able to quickly recognize the car as it pulls up. Runs on batteries and is visible up to 20-30 feet away. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to find a lost customer in the dark, and this sign has an extra cool factor that riders will love.

A blunt, candid account of life behind the wheel of an Uber in Tampa Bay. Ex-driver John Dillingham recounts interesting, sad, horrifying and hilarious tales of passengers — many after 1 am in the morning. A great read for Uber drivers and passengers alike.

This camera looks both forward and back, a insurance for an Uber or Lyft driver against any possible claims that may arise from dangerous drivers or disgruntled customers. Good 1080P HD resolution along with audio recording. These duel facing cameras don’t always come cheap, but the Pyle model, linked here, is about half the cost of others and does the job well. As an added bonus, it also includes GPS navigation.

If you’re an Uber or Lyft driver looking for a 5 star rating and perhaps an extra tip, consider including some light snacks and water with this handy seat back organizer that keeps your drinks cool. It also includes a tissue box at the bottom – a great way to ensure sick customers don’t spread their germs around your car.

Look like a million with this Uber t-shirt (and some shades). While it must seem a little funny, customers care quite a bit about professionalism and will feel safer and secure if you’re sporting a company shirt. Plus, it’s a fun conversation starter at parties.

Keep your Uber driver informed about the broader economic trends shaping his or her ride-sharing career. A great alternative to scrolling through Facebook while waiting for the next passenger. A real page turner with rave reviews.

Sunglasses are a necessity for drivers. But not all sunglasses look cool. Help your Uber or Lyft driver up their ratings with a pair of glasses that users love and look awesome: Duduma Premiums. “I get so many compliments on these,” writes one buyer on Amazon. Hard case included, they are a great value for the money.

An Uber driver’s worst nightmare is having to clean up barf all over the back seat. Mitigate the risk with these fun barf bags printed with different messages such as “epic fail” and “challenge accepted.” A must have for any driver picking up passengers from bars at night.

$14.99 USD

And now for two stupid ideas you should avoid:

1. Rate me/tip me sign – Customers hate it when drivers get needy about ratings and tips. In fact, it makes some less likely to review you. So stick with offering a great experience and there’s no need to annoy customers with a “please rate me” sign.

2. Car magnet – While they might look good, watch out because they are more likely than not to fall of the car.