Prerequisites: Completed Registration & Verification and approved to drive
Overview
You're verified and ready to earn! This tutorial walks you through your very first ride — from going online to getting paid. Follow each step carefully for a smooth experience.
Before Your First Ride
Make sure you have:
- Approved driver account
- Stripe payout account set up (see Stripe Connect)
- Phone charged above 50%
- Phone data/WiFi working
- Vehicle fueled and clean
- GPS/location services enabled
- JamDrive app updated to latest version
1
Go Online
- Open the JamDrive app
- On the home screen, tap "Go Online" or toggle the switch to ON
- Your status changes to "Online" — you'll start receiving ride requests
- The app will show your location on the map
Going online tips:
- Position yourself in high-demand areas (downtown, shopping centers, business districts)
- Be ready to accept rides within seconds of going online
- Make sure your GPS is accurate — passengers rely on your displayed location
2
Receive a Ride Request
When a passenger requests a ride, you'll receive a notification:
- Push notification appears: "New ride request from [Passenger Name]"
- App screen shows ride details:
- Passenger name and rating
- Pickup location (with map)
- Estimated fare
- Ride distance
- Pickup time estimate
- You have 15 seconds to accept or decline
Decision Time
| Accept | Decline |
|---|---|
| Tap "Accept" | Tap "Decline" or let timer expire |
| Navigation starts to pickup | Request goes to another driver |
| Passenger is notified you're coming | No penalty for declining occasionally |
Tip: A high acceptance rate helps you get more ride requests. Only decline if you truly can't make the pickup.
3
Navigate to Pickup
Once you accept:
- The app opens navigation to the passenger's pickup location
- Follow the GPS directions
- The passenger can see your real-time location and ETA
- You can call or message the passenger if needed
Navigation tips:
- Use the app's built-in navigation or your preferred GPS app
- If you're unfamiliar with the area, trust the GPS
- Watch for one-way streets and road closures
- Arrive as close to the pickup point as possible
4
Arrive at Pickup
- When you arrive, tap "Arrived at Pickup" in the app
- The passenger receives a notification that you've arrived
- Look for the passenger:
- They should be at the pin location
- Many passengers will have the JamDrive app open showing your car
- You can call them if you can't find them
If you can't find the passenger:
- Call them through the app (tap the phone icon)
- Send a message through the app chat
- Wait up to 5 minutes at the pickup location
- If no contact after 5 minutes, you can cancel (with "Passenger no-show" reason)
5
Start the Ride
- Verify the passenger's identity:
- Ask: "What's your name?" (should match the app)
- Or: "Where are you heading?" (should match the destination)
- Once confirmed, tap "Start Ride" in the app
- The ride timer begins
- Navigation to the destination starts
During the ride:
- Follow the GPS navigation
- Drive safely and obey traffic laws
- No phone usage while driving (use a phone mount)
- Keep the conversation friendly but professional
- If the passenger requests a route change, you can update the destination
6
Complete the Ride
- Arrive at the destination
- Tap "Complete Ride" in the app
- The fare is calculated and displayed
- Payment is processed automatically (card) or noted (cash)
- Rate the passenger (1-5 stars)
- The passenger rates you
Payment Types
| Payment | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Card | Automatic — fare charged to passenger's card. Your share deposited to Stripe. |
| Cash | Passenger pays you directly in cash. You keep the full fare. |
Fare Breakdown
After completing a ride, you'll see:
- Total fare — What the passenger paid
- Platform commission — JamDrive's share (depends on your plan)
- Your earnings — What you take home
7
Get Paid
Card Payments
- Your share is automatically added to your Stripe balance
- Payouts happen weekly (every Monday)
- Funds arrive in your bank account within 2-3 business days
Cash Payments
- You keep the full cash amount
- No commission on cash fares
- Still report cash fares in the app for tracking
Your First Ride: What to Expect
Emotions Are Normal
- Nerves — Totally normal for your first ride. You'll get comfortable quickly.
- Mistakes — If you take a wrong turn, the passenger will understand. Just follow the GPS.
- Rating anxiety — Don't worry. As long as you're safe and polite, you'll get good ratings.
Pro Tips for Your First Rides
- Start during daytime — Easier to navigate and find passengers
- Stay in familiar areas — Stick to neighborhoods you know initially
- Keep your phone mounted — Safe driving is the priority
- Be patient — The first few rides feel slow. You'll get faster with experience.
- Check your ratings — After each ride, see if there's feedback to improve on
- Stay hydrated — Keep water in your car, especially in Jamaica's heat
Ride Etiquette
Do's
- Greet passengers warmly: "Good morning! Welcome to JamDrive."
- Confirm the destination: "Heading to [destination]?"
- Drive smoothly — avoid sudden stops
- Offer to play music or keep it quiet (passenger preference)
- Help with luggage or bags if needed
- Thank passengers at the end: "Thank you! Have a great day."
Don'ts
- Don't use your phone while driving
- Don't argue about the route
- Don't ask for personal information from passengers
- Don't play loud music without asking
- Don't smoke in the vehicle
- Don't drive under the influence of anything
Handling Issues During a Ride
Wrong Address
If the passenger realizes they gave the wrong address, tap "Edit Destination". The fare will adjust automatically based on the new route.
Vehicle Breakdown
- Pull over safely
- Tap "Report Issue" in the app
- Contact support: 876-JAM-DRIVE
- The passenger will be helped with an alternative ride
Safety Concerns
- If you feel unsafe, pull over in a public, well-lit area
- Use the SOS button in the app for emergencies
- Call 119 (Jamaica emergency) if needed
- Report any incident to support@jamdriveja.com
Disputes
- Stay calm and professional
- Don't engage in arguments
- Report any issues through the app after the ride
- JamDrive support will review and mediate
Building Your Earnings
Daily Earnings Potential
| Hours Online | Estimated Rides | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours | 4-6 rides | JMD 3,200 - 5,700 |
| 8 hours | 8-12 rides | JMD 6,400 - 11,400 |
| 12 hours | 12-18 rides | JMD 9,600 - 17,100 |
Based on average fare of JMD 800-950 per ride
Maximizing Earnings
- Peak hours — Drive during lunch (11 AM - 2 PM) and dinner (6 PM - 10 PM)
- High-demand areas — Downtown Kingston, shopping centers, airports
- Events — Concerts, sports events, festivals generate lots of rides
- Airport runs — Longer rides = higher fares
- Weekend nights — Friday and Saturday nights are busiest
- Subscription plan — Upgrade to Driver+ for 5% commission (vs 15% Basic)
Your First Week Checklist
- Complete 10 rides (triggers JMD 500 bonus with code DRIVERBOOST)
- Maintain 4.5+ rating
- Accept 80%+ of ride requests
- Set up Stripe payout account
- Explore the driver app features (Driver App Features)
- Share your referral code with other potential drivers
Need Help?
- In-app support: Tap "Help" in the app
- Phone: 876-JAM-DRIVE (526-3748)
- Email: support@jamdriveja.com
- Emergency: 119 (Jamaica emergency services)