Ratings, Tips and Deductions Checklist for Drivers

Checkboxes only. This checklist covers the habits that protect your rating, the small moves that generate tips, and the records that protect your deductions - built to run every shift, not once.

It starts with the first 60 seconds of every ride: confirm the name before they get in, doors unlocked and trunk ready, temperature neutral, music low, and the smell check already done, because riders rate the cabin they smelled, not the one you see. The rating and tip movers are unglamorous and repeatable: smooth braking beats fast, a back-seat charging cable plugged in and reachable, help with bags every time you safely can, and a clean ending with a bag-check reminder. After every drop-off comes the 90-second reset - shake out the mat, check for trash and forgotten items, air the cabin out.

The records half is just as strict. Every shift gets a mileage log: date, starting odometer, ending odometer, total miles, purpose. Log all business miles - with passenger, to pickups, and repositioning while available - because a log written as you go beats one rebuilt in April. Keep logs and receipts at least three years after filing. The checklist finishes with the expense categories worth tracking and the rating killers, cabin smell to phone in hand, with the fix beside each one.

ShiftCabin sells gear, not tax advice. Talk to your tax professional about your situation. This is general information only.

Download the Ratings, Tips and Deductions Checklist (PDF)

All three money guides live on the Make More Money page.