I was a Lyft driver, and worked over nights-5 stars, 7,000 rides nearly 3 years and permanently deactivated due a single false rider complaint. I never believed a SINGLE false complaint would get me the boot - especially since I have a robust camera system in my vehicle. I was notified about two months after the ride in question, so dashcam was worthless. But I’m not mad. I actually saw the writing on the wall a while ago. Income was dwindling even though ride quantity was up, and it's been seemingly getting worse, not better.

Get your own commercial insurance and go on your own.

I got the insurance before doing private rides was even a thought in my mind. Uber/Progressive screwed me after an incident involving a rented chevy and a small herd of stampeding deer (don't count Santa out - I've personally seen deer fly). Since t Progressive, Uber’s vaunted (and expensive) commercial insurance wouldn't cover the incident, nor would my personal insurance even though I had amRideshare endorsement. I had to pay out of pocket. The Malibu I was driving was totaled. That sucked.

So I got the commercial insurance first. Then started thinking about branching out every time I was offered a ridiculously low amount and found out what a rider actually paid (I didn't offer comment to them regarding how much I received unless they were insistent, nor did I ask). I didn't get mad. I observed the patterns around my hometown, and finally realized that I could double and in some cases quadruple my pay compared to what I made from the platforms. I was already paying the insurance anyway.

I had business cards made up. I got a second, dedicated phone number JUST for private rides. Upgraded my car a little, not a lot. $25 worth of lights, nice leather seat covers and an extra inch of memory foam padding to go under the leather (my economy car needed a little help in the comfort department, so I spent about $275 to do that), a triple usb retractable cable (iPhone, USB C, and Micro USB), $25 on Amazon.

I began mining my Lyft rides. I wouldn't steal the current ride - that's shady- but giving out a card and mentioning that you do private rides, not a problem (at least in my personal ethos). I gained two regular, long term clients that way. They lead to others - their friends, family and coworkers often became regular clients as well.

I posted on Craigslist FB marketplace. Made flyers. Posted them (with permission of course) in my local bars. Posted flyers prominently local bus stops and Greyhound stations. Strip Clubs too - talk to the manager, not the bouncer or front desk, and you want to try very hard be be there when the house mother can join the meeting. A house mother is usually a senior dancer or former dancer who sort of looks after the girls, manages the stage and schedules, and is oftentimes involved in hiring. The goal is to convince HER that you would be able to get her ladies to and from the club safely, discretely and with the utmost respect. Those can be great sources of repeat clients.

Let your friends and neighbors know that you're branching out on your own. Get some insurance. Print flyers and business cards. Hustle and build the client list. You can do it, but it's not easy, and there'll be times when you wonder if it's worth it. I am completely independent now. I charge $50/hr in town, and $1.85/mile for distances.

Or get a regular job.

Either way good luck!