Dash Camera - This is the most important item and a no-brainer! Not only will it cover your butt if a rider makes false allegations against you, but it also comes in handy if you’re in an accident. Plus, a dash camera acts as a deterrent against any unwanted, unruly behavior. I drove around for a few years without a dash camera, and I noticed that as soon as I installed my Vantrue N2S dash camera that the unruly behavior drastically decreased.

USB Charger & Cords for Riders - It’s a pain when riders request a phone charging cord when you're in the middle of driving. It’s a huge distraction. And you might even have to unplug your phone to accommodate the rider’s request. So, simple solution: keep a multi-charging cable somewhere in your backseat for the rider to plug into a USB port. And if your vehicle didn’t come equipped with rear USB charging ports, you can purchase universal USB charging ports that fit onto almost any standard headrest.

Portable Car Vaccuum - It’s no secret that people are messy and once in a while a rider will make a mess in your vehicle. And if you’re in the middle of a busy shift, trying to find a gas station or car wash that has a vacuum will cost you time and money. A portable vacuum that plugs into your 12-volt outlet will quickly get the mess cleaned up and get you back on the road earning.

Interior LED Lighting - Not only will you get a lot of compliments from riders because it looks cool, but it also helps with safety and reduces the number of items left behind by riders. Increased visibility inside the vehicle at nighttime will make both the rider and driver feel safer. And since the floors are completely illuminated and there is increased visibility throughout the backseat, riders will remember to take all of their belongings with them. Only once since I installed these interior LED lights in my vehicle two years ago has a rider left an item behind.

Uber/Lyft LED Decal Sign - Illuminated LED window signs bearing Uber and Lyft logos help distinguish a driver’s vehicle from others when picking up a rider. For example, if a driver is picking up in a busy area at nighttime, the illuminated Uber and Lyft logo will help the rider quickly identify the correct vehicle. However, these signs have now become controversial, as Amazon removed these items for sale on their website to avoid litigation from both Uber and Lyft. And Uber and Lyft are in the process of suing manufacturers of these “counterfeit” signs. So, if you see them still for sale somewhere when you’re reading this, grab them quick before it’s too late!

Jump Starter Battery Pack - Even if you pay for roadside assistance, never worry about getting stranded again with the USB charging Jump Starter Batter Pack. You never know when you might run into battery issues and need a jump start. And this very small Jump Pack offers impressive performance and convenience in case there is no one around to give you a jump with conventional cables. I was lucky enough to have this Jump Pack in my trunk when my car battery died delivery Amazon packages in Philly at 4:30am. There was absolutely no one around that early in the morning to help me if I only had jumper cables to rely on.

Air Fresheners - Keeping your vehicle smelling fresh can be the difference between tips or no tips, 5 stars or 3 stars. But make sure you use the right kind of air freshener! So, let me first start out by telling you which ones to avoid: any oiled-based air fresheners, fragrances, or colognes. Your riders will hate these air fresheners as they’re too pungent and very irritating for anyone with allergies.

I’ve developed a two-step approach:

• Spray Febreze in between rides for short-term odor defense.

• Use odor absorbents for long-term odor defense.

My strategy here is very simple - Febreze covers up temporary odors while odor absorbents neutralize all odors. I’ve had success with this simple strategy, as many of my riders say that my vehicle smells like a “vanilla candle.”

“Anti-Aggression” Repellent - Pepper Spray is a must have to stop any potential physical aggression in your vehicle. It’s better to have this item and never need it, then to need it and never have it. But make sure you keep your pepper spray in an area where you can immediately grab it without reaching and where an attacker cannot reach it.