1. Pay Attention to Traffic Lights
This is a crucial skill that you must pay attention to if you choose the driving profession, as both your safety and the passengers' depend on your control of the vehicle. When driving, especially at intersections or junctions, you must be vigilant and reduce your speed to ensure quick reaction times.
Whether you're driving in the city or suburbs, you'll frequently encounter traffic lights. Even young children understand the purpose of the signal colors, but as a driver, you must be extra cautious and avoid being complacent. Never slam on the brakes when encountering a red light, as the busy traffic could cause drivers behind you to react too late, possibly leading to an accident. Absolutely avoid speeding to beat a red light, as this significantly increases the risk of a crash. If the yellow or green light is about to change within 3 seconds, slow down and apply the brakes. Driving may seem straightforward, but ensuring safety on city roads requires attention to the smallest details.


2. Master Speed Control While Driving
Many tragic accidents occur due to drivers losing control of their speed. Mastering speed control allows you to respond more effectively in any situation. Even if passengers urge you to speed up, give you a time limit of 5-7 minutes to reach the destination, or pressure you in any other way, never take unnecessary risks that you might regret later. Always drive within the legal speed limits—this ensures safety and avoids fines for speeding.
Drive at a steady pace and maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Keeping space between your vehicle and the one ahead allows you to react promptly if an unexpected situation arises.


3. Prioritize Short Rides
While longer rides pay more, completing several shorter trips can easily earn you more than just two or three long trips. With the "slow but steady" approach, you should prioritize shorter rides, as the first few kilometers are calculated at a higher rate. This way, you'll earn more and experience less fatigue.
Additionally, don’t just sit back and wait for passengers. If you complete more rides, the app will interact and update you with more opportunities the next day!


4. Improve your soft skills
Words cost nothing, but the right words can bring you closer to success if you know how to use them. So, when your ride is over, why not ask customers for a 5-star rating? A 5-star rating helps establish your reputation as a professional driver, and you'll be rewarded by the system for receiving good reviews. Use your soft skills to encourage customers to rate you highly.
Maintain a polite attitude with customers, be quick, tidy, and lively—these are the basic qualities that make a good first impression. You can also be thoughtful by checking if the customer is ready for pickup and confirm their address to make the ride smoother and faster.
Don’t forget to be a chivalrous driver by holding the door for customers, offering them their hats, or carrying their belongings. If you're driving a car, you could even offer a plastic bag, bottled water, tissues, or a mask. Small gestures like these could help you build loyal customers who will regularly book rides with you. Your professional attitude might even lead to tips, and you'll enjoy a steady income as a result.


5. Should you consider buying a car for Grab?
When driving for Grab, you should understand how the payment system works. Drivers receive 72% of the earnings from each ride, while Grab takes 28%. So, when deciding to buy a car for Grab, you need to factor in the depreciation cost of the vehicle and how long it will take for your Grab earnings to cover the investment.
The answer depends on the type of vehicle and its cost. One tip for driving Grab is to choose an older, fuel-efficient car. If you’re considering a car loan for a Grab ride, make sure to balance your budget effectively.
Ideally, the initial cost of the car should not exceed 500 million VND. For a car costing 400 million VND, you could pay 200 million VND upfront and the rest in installments, which is a reasonable option. Smaller cars with low fuel consumption are recommended. If you go for a used car, avoid buying from a taxi service. Models like the Hyundai i10 and Toyota Vios are often praised for their fuel efficiency, low maintenance costs, and good resale value.


6. Sign up for additional delivery services
In addition to transporting passengers, a great tip for new Grab drivers is to consider registering for food delivery or express courier services to earn extra income.
This service allows drivers to earn money during quieter times when there are fewer customers. Plus, delivery services generally pay more than passenger transport, so you don’t have to worry much about fuel costs. However, keep in mind that when delivering fragile items like cakes or fruits, extra care is needed to prevent damage and avoid risks.


7. Regularly check the app and wallet
It’s important to regularly check if the app is online to avoid missing a ride due to network errors. Also, always monitor your wallet balance on the system, ensuring it doesn't fall below 30,000 VND, as a lower balance can reduce the chances of receiving longer ride requests.
Another tip is to check the 'heat map' in the app to see which areas have high ride demand, so you can position yourself for better opportunities. Restarting the app frequently will help update the information and optimize your chances of getting passengers.


8. Equip Yourself with Essential Tools for Work
In today's tech-driven world, it's essential to have the right tools for your work. The most important items include a smartphone and a high-speed data SIM card. Additionally, don't forget to bring a power bank, phone mount, and headphones. Other useful items include drinking water, at least two raincoats (one for you and one for your passenger), and basic tools for vehicle maintenance.
Preparation is key, as running out of phone battery, having a weak connection, or constantly stopping to take calls can disrupt your journey significantly. This is probably one of the most valuable tips for new Grab drivers that you shouldn’t overlook.


9. Be Responsible in Your Profession
Whatever profession you choose, it's important to stay loyal and responsible in your work. Never cancel a ride and still communicate with the passenger. Everything you do is under the service's watch. While the system may alert you when the app is locked, you might not notice if Grab quietly reduces the number of rides available to you. Being responsible will always bring better results than trying to find shortcuts.
Responsibility in your profession means following the service's rules:
+ Accept rides as per the app’s guidelines. If a customer makes a mistake in booking, kindly guide them to rebook correctly.
+ Always drive according to legal regulations. Never rush due to a passenger’s urgency, as it might lead to unnecessary fines.


10. Join the Vietnamese Ride-Hailing Driver Community
There are many online communities and groups for ride-hailing drivers on social media platforms, including those for Grab, Go-Viet, Now, MyGo, and others. Here, you can share information, learn from the experiences of others, and improve your skills, as well as offer support to each other when facing challenges.
Recently, there have been many accidents and incidents involving drivers. Always be cautious during long trips, avoid accepting rides late at night, and don't take passengers outside the designated area on the app to ensure safety.
While every profession has its own challenges, we hope that the tips shared here will help improve your earnings as a Grab driver.


11. Đảm bảo sức khỏe của xe và người lái đều tốt
Xe chính là cần kiếm cơm của bạn nên bạn phải luôn luôn kiểm tra xe trước khi bắt đầu 1 ngày làm việc mới. Thường xuyên kiểm tra xe xem có hỏng hóc, hay sự cố gì không. Hãy cố gắng theo dõi, sửa và bảo dưỡng xe ở các địa điểm giảm giá cho grap, chọn những địa chỉ giá cả phải chăng phục vụ tốt nhất. Để xe đi được bền và êm bạn nên thay dầu xe thường xuyên và kiểm tra hơi lốp để đảm bảo xe đi nhẹ, giảm rủi ro bạn nhé.
Bên cạnh đó, cũng cần đặc biệt lưu ý đến sức khỏe của bản thân. Nếu không khỏe, thì tốt nhất nên nghỉ ngơi. Vì khi tham gia giao thông, thời tiết nắng mưa thất thường, tinh thần cũng không thoải mái bởi xe cộ đông đúc, bạn cũng phải tập trung cao độ để lái xe, điều đó sẽ làm bạn ốm mệt hơn mà chạy xe cũng không an toàn nếu tình trạng như vậy.


12. Join Grab's Driver Programs
One final tip we recommend is to take part in Grab's training and support programs, which include events like the top-driver competition. These programs not only offer opportunities to boost earnings but also help enhance your skills.
By fully participating, you'll gain a deeper understanding of Grab's operations and its new initiatives, allowing you to make more informed decisions and increase your earnings. Additionally, you'll also learn essential life skills like safe driving and self-defense.


13. Use Your Time Wisely
No matter what profession you choose, effective time management is crucial. If you're pursuing a side job for extra income, be sure to choose work hours that fit well with your schedule. For example, if you've had an exhausting study session, it's best to skip work that day. The nature of this job requires alertness to avoid accidents that you might regret later.
On the other hand, if you're making Grab your main job, it's important to optimize your time. Typically, long-distance trips start early, around 5-6 AM. To get passengers at that time, you'll need to be up even earlier. Start your day with a morning workout to boost your mood and have a proper breakfast before launching the app.
If you want to increase your earnings, working hard is a must. But overworking without thinking strategically won't yield good results. During peak hours when traffic is heavy, like rush hour or during the evening, focus on short trips or quieter routes. Alternatively, take a break to recharge and resume work later in the evening from 9 PM to 10 PM, depending on how you feel.


14. Quick and Knowledgeable of the Routes
Being a Grab driver requires not just good health, but also quick reflexes and a good knowledge of the streets. Since this job involves constant driving, it's important to familiarize yourself with the routes you take to build experience for future trips. If you can remember the roads, you won't have to rely on Google Maps, making customers more satisfied.
During rush hours, there's no extra pay for the added time spent in traffic. These hours can be frustrating, with long delays and crowded streets, which can affect your mental state and driving safety.
The solution is to select your customers carefully and pay attention to the "back roads." Practice to become an experienced driver who can navigate through less congested paths. By mastering the routes, you'll be able to handle any situation that comes your way.


15. Understanding Traffic Laws
It has been said that "driving in traffic is like going to war." This is not an exaggeration, as traffic is heavy, the roads are vast, and there are countless traffic rules and signs to follow. If you're going to engage in this "battle," it's essential to understand your opponent. Therefore, as a Grab driver, you need to hone your driving skills, be confident behind the wheel, and react quickly and flexibly to situations. Always maintain a calm mindset and, most importantly, be knowledgeable about traffic laws to ensure your safety on the road.
On any road, whether it's in the outskirts or a busy urban area, there are numerous traffic signs and indicators. Pay close attention to these to understand what they are communicating. Knowing how to interpret road signs will give you more confidence when navigating any route.
Being able to read road signs will help you identify danger zones, areas where you should reduce speed, one-way and two-way streets, and prevent mistakes, making your driving experience smoother. This knowledge ensures that your work remains safe and within legal bounds.

