Here’s How You Can Earn Up to $30/Hr by Driving Kids Around After School

The gig economy is saturated with ride-sharing services.

These money-making opportunities are appealing on several levels: set your own schedule, drive around, meet people, cash out…

But sometimes people are mean. Or drunk. And sometimes you might not feel super safe picking up strangers.

Are you nodding your head?

Enter: HopSkipDrive, an online ride-service platform that helps parents schedule rides for their kids ages 6 and older.

Right now, the service is recruiting CareDrivers in Los Angeles, Orange County and the San Francisco Bay Area. (It does have big plans to expand across the U.S.)

These CareDrivers can earn up to $30 an hour driving kids around.

Here’s what you need to know…

The Perks of Becoming a CareDriver with HopSkipDrive

“CareDrivers are caregivers first and drivers second,” Joanna McFarland, co-founder of HopSkipDrive, says. “They’re caregivers on wheels.”

As a CareDriver, it’s your job to tote kids to school, to afterschool programs, to soccer practice — you name it.

Although McFarland wouldn’t reveal exact numbers, she says HopSkipDrive has “hundreds and hundreds” of CareDrivers since March 2015.

What’s the appeal? CareDrivers, like other ride-sharing services, can set their own schedules.

“The beauty is it’s completely up to them — where and when, how much they want to drive,” McFarland says. “We bring the work to them. They determine their schedule.”

She says some CareDrivers might pick up a kid on their way to work in the morning and drop them off at school. Others might schedule full days, whereas some only work once a week.

Plus, making up to $30 an hour isn’t so bad either.

Want to Become a CareDriver? Here’s How

McFarland says ideal candidates are typically parents, empty-nesters or retirees — someone who understands the school pick-up line.

Other drivers include experienced nannies, elementary and middle school teachers, pediatric nurses and professional drivers.

And because you’re handling kids, you must pass a 15-point inspection, which requires you to:

• Love kids and have at least five years of childcare experience.
• Have no criminal record.
• Have no sex offender record.
• Have a valid driver’s license.
• Have a good driving record.
• Be at least 23 years old.
• Own or lease a car that’s not more than 10 years old and that seats four to seven passengers.
• Have personal auto insurance coverage that meets state-required limits.
• Pass a 19-point vehicle inspection by a certified mechanic.
• Interview with the HopSkipDrive team in person.
• Complete an in-person driver orientation.
• Provide personal and professional referencesFollow the HopSkipRules.
• Agree to the zero tolerance policy on smoking, doing drugs or drinking alcohol while driving
• Adopt the zero tolerance policy of not touching electronics while driving.

If you live in California, learn more about becoming a CareDriver.

If you don’t, go ahead and sign up for email updates — McFarland says HopSkipDrive has plans to expand!

Carson Kohler (@CarsonKohler) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.