Driving for Zum

I’ve just signed up as a Zum driver and am waiting for my security clearance. It might take a week or three before I actually start driving kids, but I thought I’d start blogging about the intake process and a little about what I’ve learned about the company. As time goes on I’ll write about my experiences with the kids and the company and give my honest, i.e. highly subjective take on what it’s like.

What they’re looking for:

• At least 21 years old
• At least 3 years of experience working with children
• At least 3 years of driving experience with a clean driving record
• Own a 2006 or newer four door vehicle in great condition
• College education and/or experience working in a professional setting

According to their website, only 1 out of 5 applicants make the grade.

Get Karla Jacobs’s stories in your inbox

Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.

Remember me for faster sign in

Unlike many Zummers, who have come over from Uber and Lyft to supplement their rather meager hourly rates, I’m a first time share-economy driver. Evidently Zum pays more per trip ($18) with the chance to earn $24/hr for extras like child care and hanging around at ballet practice to complete the loop from school to lessons to home. Because of the limitations of the market, however, you can’t make as much/day with Zum as you can with Uber or Lyft, but you do make more/hour.

There are four reasons for the extra moola.

1. Limited drive times. Since Zum’s customer base is parents with school age kids, prime time is 6–9 am and 3–6 pm. So you can’t drive for Zum all day even during the school year. If you’re planning to be a Zum-only driver, as I am, there is a lower cap on what you can earn per day. (250 or more for Uber or Lyft vs. 180/day for Zum which would require 2 drives/hour during peak morning and evening time, which seems a little unrealistic to me). Also, summertime and weekends are slow. So drivers who also work for Uber and Lyft just switch apps during these times and start picking up adults seamlessly.
2. The cargo is more precious. Parents get to track your car throughout the process, see when you arrive at the pickup point, receive an announcement when you’re en route, and get a confirmation text when you arrive at dropoff. That technology goes above and beyond U and L’s automated software and is designed to give parents peace of mind.
3. The drivers are vetted more carefully.
   - No points on your DMV record. While U and L may allow some (up to 3, my Zum representative told me) dings on your driving records, Zoom doesn’t allow even one. If you do have one (I’m told), and it’s a minor one, they might let you drive if they deem it to be a minor infraction if they’re desperate in your geographical area. After that “possibly one” strike, you’re out. So hypothetically, Zum drivers are better drivers, at least according to DMV standards.
   - No bad behavior. If you screw up, you don’t get a warning (as L and U give): you’re out as a Zum driver. The example I was given was texting while driving. They’re a new startup and can’t afford complaints. Another no-no is not showing up for a pickup. Leaving a kid stranded will make even the most even-tempered parent hysterical, not to mention the stress the kid feels standing alone after everyone else has been picked up, or the danger this potentially creates for the child’s safety. This intolerance for unreliability is stated up front during the introductory interview, and your reaction to it is noted.
   - You agree to a thorough background check. As part of the in-person interview, you drive your interviewer to the local UPS store with a notary service and submit an application for a complete $89 — $100 checkout with a full set of fingerprints. Processing takes 1–2 weeks, and not everyone passes.
4. You and your car have have to jump through some hoops. Your in-person interviewer checks your lights, turn signals, seatbelts, and other safety features, takes a photo of your car, and makes you drive for them, while distracting you with witty patter. (Fortunately, I didn’t make any obvious mistakes that I know of.) I guess they try to simulate having a noisy or boisterous kid in the car! The interviewer also takes a photo of your driver’s license, insurance card, your car and license plate, registration, and a headshot of you for your profile.

And, there are some generous bonuses.

If you’re willing to offer childcare, you can earn @$24/hr. Sometimes this means sitting in the bleachers during a game or staying with the kid after dropoff and preparing a snack, helping with homework, or hanging out until Mom and Dad get home.

In addition, there’s a little-publicized bonus structure. $100 bonus after 2 rides, and up on a sliding scale to $500 after 75 rides. Plus a $100 bonus for referring another driver (who gets approved). (More about this later.)

I’m going to give it a try.

Got nothing to lose, and I get to hang out with kids. Mine is already launched, living in LA, and working as an animator. I miss having kids around, and now that I’m semi-retired, I feel the need to be useful. Look for more if/when my application gets approved and I start driving actual kids. Can’t wait.