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Ola driver guide Adelaide

Find out how to sign up as an Ola driver in Adelaide and how Ola compares with Uber.

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Elizabeth Barry
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Uber has dominated the Australian rideshare market since 2010, but January 2018 saw the launch of Indian company Ola in Australia. The move has shaken up the rideshare industry. Restricting its launch to Sydney and Melbourne initially, Ola has now established a firm footing in other Australian cities including Adelaide.

Ola drivers are noticing some subtle differences between Ola and Uber which are driving them to either make the switch or juggle both companies. Read on to compare your options and learn how to sign up as a driver. You'll also find out how to organise a rental car to drive with Ola.

About Ola in Adelaide

Ola has been operating successfully in India since 2010 and its Australian launch in January 2018 saw the rideshare company's first tentative step outside India. The company needn't have worried about its success in Australia, with many drivers intrigued by the benefits Ola has to offer for drivers and riders alike. This has seen many Uber drivers changing to Ola or deciding to supplement their Uber income by driving with both companies.

Ola's locations in Australia

With a firm launch in Melbourne and Sydney under its belt, Ola increased its services to include:

Criteria to drive for Ola in Adelaide

Ola drivers need to meet slightly different criteria depending on the city they'll be driving in. If you'd like to be an Ola driver in Adelaide, you'll need to meet the following criteria:

LocationEligibilityRequired documents/information
Adelaide
  • Third party property or comprehensive car insurance
  • Vehicle model 2010 or later
  • South Australian driver's licence
  • Holder of current ABN
  • Driver accreditation certificate
  • Certificate of insurance
  • Vehicle inspection report (pink slip)
  • Vehicle Registration (Ins Class SP-7)
  • Current South Australian driver's licence
  • Proof of identity (citizenship certificate, birth certificate or passport)
  • Photograph of driver
  • ABN details
  • Bank account details

Ola driver benefits in Adelaide

Before signing up as an Ola driver in Adelaide, consider the following benefits:

  • Payments made daily. Unlike other rideshare companies that pay weekly, money earned on one day with Ola is paid into the driver's bank account the next business day.
  • SOS button. Drivers can press an SOS button within the app to call for assistance at any time.
  • 24/7 support. Ola staff are available by phone or email day and night to answer questions or offer support.
  • Free registration. Ola drivers can register online for free.
  • Reduced commissions. The standard rate of commission charged by Ola is 15%, reduced to 7.5% for new drivers for the first 30 days.
  • Choice of ride direction. Drivers can specify in the app the direction they'll be travelling in and will only be offered jobs that are also headed in that same direction.
  • Online registration. Provided you have the documents you need on hand, the registration process can be completed in one sitting online.

Ola vs Uber: how do the rideshare providers stack up?

Having trouble deciding whether to drive with Uber or Ola in Adelaide? Remember that there's no real need to choose between the two. Many drivers sign up as drivers with both companies and switch their availability between the two to maximise their earnings. As you become more experienced, you'll get to know when there will be a higher demand for one service than the other and you can change your availability accordingly. Rideshare companies may offer incentives for drivers from time to time: another reason to extend your availability for one company for a few days at a time.

FeatureOlaUber
Vehicle restrictions
  • Vehicle model 2010 or later
  • Third party property or comprehensive car insurance
  • Vehicle inspection report (pink slip)
  • Vehicle Registration (Ins Class SP-7)
  • Third party property insurance or comprehensive car insurance
  • At least 4 doors
  • No more than 8 seats (including driver's seat)
  • Working air conditioning and windows
  • No commercial branding
Driver eligibilityHold an Australian driver's licence
  • 21 years or older
  • Full South Australian driver’s licence
  • Have held full driver's licence in any Australian state or territory for at least 12 months
  • Complete driving history check
Signing upCompleted onlineOnline with an in-person vehicle inspection
Australian citiesCurrently in six major Australian citiesEvery major Australian cities
PaymentsDaily payments the following business dayPayments made weekly
Rates of commission7.5% commission for the first 30 days and 15% commission after 30 days25% commission

Signup process for Ola

Ready to sign up as an Ola driver in Adelaide? The signup process is fully online and is relatively painless, provided you've got all your documents in order. Before you begin, go through the list of required documents above and scan copies or take photographs of all pages. You'll also need your mobile phone on hand to verify your phone number.

When you're ready, head to the Ola signup page, log in with your Google account, then follow the prompts to upload your documents as required. Your application will be reviewed by a member of Ola's team, who will advise you whether you have been accepted as a driver.

Need a car? Consider these options

Itching to become an Ola driver in Adelaide but don't have the right car for the job? Consider the following vehicle finance options, specifically designed for rideshare drivers. Featuring a mix of vehicle lease, rent-to-buy and car purchase deals, some include rideshare driver benefits like petrol discounts or bundled insurance.

Data updated regularly
Name Product Price Per Week (from) Insurance Included? Membership Fee Excess Distance Cost
Splend Car Rentals
Splend Car Rentals
$269
Yes
$275 (26 week rental period)
$0.10 per km
Get access to fuel discounts, referral bonuses and member only benefits when you rent a rideshare car with Splend. Rent-to-Drive and Rent-to-Buy options available.
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More Info
DriveMyCar Uber Rentals
DriveMyCar Uber Rentals
$160
Yes
$0
$0.10 per km
Get insurance, maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance in the all-inclusive price. Discounts available for longer rental periods.
Go to site
More Info
Europcar Uber Rental
Europcar Uber Rental
$195
Yes
$0
$0.25 per km
Benefit from 24/7 roadside assistance, a wide range of vehicles and no signup fee to start driving with Uber. A minimum four-week rental period applies.
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More Info
Splend Rent-to-Own
Splend Rent-to-Own
$269
Yes
$275 (26 week rental period)
$0.10 per km
Rent a car and pay it off as you go with no lock-in contract, membership benefits and flexible rental options
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More Info
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