Welcome to Japan! If you’re looking for a flexible way to earn money and explore your new city, becoming an Uber Eats delivery partner is a fantastic opportunity. But before you start, it’s crucial to understand that your vehicle is your most important tool. Keeping it in top condition isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns; it’s about ensuring your safety, maximizing your earnings, and complying with local laws.
Whether you’re using a bicycle, scooter, or car, preventative care and mindful driving can keep your vehicle on the road rather than in the shop, saving you time and money. According to Uber, sticking to a routine maintenance schedule is one of the best ways to minimize wear and tear.
Why Vehicle Maintenance Matters for Your Success
In a country known for its efficiency and high standards, a well-maintained vehicle is non-negotiable. Here’s why it’s so important:
- Safety: Japan’s roads can be narrow and busy. Properly functioning brakes, tires, and lights are essential for your safety and the safety of others.
- Reliability and Earnings: A breakdown means lost time and lost income. Regular maintenance helps prevent unexpected issues, allowing you to complete more deliveries and keep your earnings consistent.
- Legal Compliance: Japan has strict regulations for vehicles, including mandatory inspections and insurance. Staying compliant helps you avoid fines and potential suspension from the platform.
- Professionalism: A clean and well-cared-for vehicle reflects positively on you and the Uber Eats platform, contributing to a better experience for restaurants and customers.
Getting Started: Vehicle Options and Basic Requirements
Uber Eats in Japan offers flexibility in how you deliver. The most common vehicle choices are bicycles, motorbikes (scooters), and light cars (Kei cars). Regardless of your choice, you must be at least 18 years old to sign up. You’ll also need to provide basic documents like a valid identification card and a clear profile photo. Uber’s official page provides a full list of requirements.
It’s important to note that certain vehicles, such as “;specified small motorized bicycles” (including some electric kickboards) and “all-electric bicycles,” are not permitted for delivery on the Uber Eats platform due to complex legal regulations. Always ensure your vehicle is registered correctly in the app to avoid account suspension.
The Bicycle Maintenance Checklist
Bicycles are a popular choice for delivery in dense urban areas like Tokyo and Kyoto. They are cost-effective and exempt from many transportation business regulations. However, they still require regular care to stay safe and efficient.
Daily & Weekly Checks
Before you start your day, a quick check can prevent major headaches. Here’s a simple checklist inspired by guides for comprehensive bike maintenance:
- Brakes: Squeeze the brake levers to ensure they are firm and responsive. Check the brake pads for wear.
- Tires: Check the tire pressure. Properly inflated tires prevent flats and make pedaling easier.
- Chain: Keep your chain clean and lubricated to ensure smooth gear shifting and prevent rust. A greasy mess can be avoided by cleaning the drivetrain before packing or maintenance.
- Lights & Reflectors: If you deliver at night, ensure your lights are charged and working.
Preparing for Japan’s Weather
Japan’s distinct seasons require different approaches to bike care.
- Rainy Season (Tsuyu): After riding in the rain, wipe down your bike, especially the chain and metal components, to prevent rust. Cleaning sludge and sand from your tires is also a good practice. The high humidity can also lead to mold, so store your gear in a well-ventilated area.
- Typhoon Season (August-October): Typhoons bring strong winds and heavy rain. It’s often best to avoid delivering during the peak of a storm. If a typhoon is approaching, secure your bicycle indoors or in a sheltered location to prevent it from being blown over or damaged.
Motorbike & Scooter Maintenance
Motorbikes and scooters allow for longer-distance deliveries and are a common sight in Japan. Maintenance is key, as is understanding the legal classifications.
Essential Mechanical Checks
Similar to cars, motorbikes require regular attention to their core components. Following a basic maintenance schedule is crucial.
- Engine Oil: Check and change the oil according to your vehicle’s manual. Clean oil is vital for engine health.
- Brakes: Regularly inspect brake fluid levels and brake pads. Japan’s urban traffic and hilly terrain put a lot of stress on brakes.
- Tires: Maintain proper tire pressure and check for wear. Good tires are critical for traction, especially in wet conditions.
- Lights: Ensure all lights—headlight, taillight, and turn signals—are functioning correctly for visibility.
Legal & Document Requirements
In Japan, motorbikes are classified by engine displacement, which determines the required license and documentation. Uber Eats specifies these requirements clearly:
- Under 125cc (Mopeds): These are popular for city delivery and have fewer regulations. You’ll need a driver’s license, liability insurance, and a photo of your license plate.
- 125cc to 250cc (Light two-wheeled vehicle): In addition to the above, you must have an optional insurance or automobile mutual aid certificate and a light motor vehicle certificate.
- Over 250cc (Small two-wheeled vehicle): These require a vehicle inspection certificate (the equivalent of the car’s *shaken*) and optional insurance.
Always ensure your insurance policy specifically names you as the insured driver. If you use a leased vehicle, the policyholder should be the leasing company, with you listed as the named insured.
Car Maintenance: Mastering the “Shaken” and More
Using a car, especially a Kei car (light automobile), has become a viable option for Uber Eats deliveries across Japan since May 2023. This allows for longer-distance deliveries and is more comfortable in poor weather. However, it also comes with more significant maintenance responsibilities, most notably the shaken.
Understanding the “Shaken” (Compulsory Inspection)
The shaken (車検) is a mandatory vehicle inspection in Japan designed to ensure that all vehicles on the road are safe and meet environmental standards. For passenger cars, it’s required every two years after the initial three-year inspection for a new car. This process is comprehensive and includes checks on the engine, brakes, alignment, emissions, and more.
Failing to keep your shaken up-to-date will result in legal penalties and make you ineligible to drive for Uber Eats. The cost can vary but often includes a combination of service fees, taxes, and compulsory insurance.
Note: Costs are estimates and can vary based on vehicle type, age, and condition. “Potential Repairs” is highly variable.
Routine Car Care for Delivery Partners
Beyond the shaken, daily and weekly checks are vital. As a delivery partner, your car experiences more wear than average.
- Fluids: Regularly check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Keeping fluids at the right level is one of the easiest ways to keep your car running smoothly.
- Tires: Check tire pressure weekly. Japan’s summer heat can affect pressure, and proper inflation is key for safety and fuel efficiency.
- Wipers: During the rainy season and typhoon season, functional wiper blades are critical for visibility. Replace them if they leave streaks.
Registering Your Kei Car for Deliveries
To use your personal Kei car for commercial deliveries, you must follow a specific legal process. Uber provides a simple 5-step guide, which involves:
- Obtaining approval from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) to conduct a Light Vehicle Transport Business.
- Converting your standard yellow license plate to a black business plate at the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization.
- Notifying your automobile insurance company of the change in vehicle use.
Safety First: Rules of the Road and Uber’s Guidelines
Maintenance is only one part of the safety equation. Understanding and respecting local traffic laws is paramount.
Navigating Japanese Roads
If you’re new to driving in Japan, remember these key rules from the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF):
- Keep Left: All traffic, including bicycles, must keep to the left side of the road.
- Speed Limits: Obey posted speed limits. On general roads without signs, the limit is typically 60 km/h for cars.
- Pedestrian Priority: Always yield to pedestrians, especially at crosswalks.
- No Phone Use: Using a mobile phone while driving is strictly prohibited.
Uber’s Safety Initiatives
Uber is committed to the safety of its delivery partners. In Japan, one unique initiative is the “Helmet Club,” which was launched to encourage cyclists to wear helmets, even before it became a legal requirement. The program offers cashback incentives for partners who pass online helmet checks. This initiative highlights Uber’s focus on building a culture of safety.
Furthermore, starting April 1, 2025, new regulations will require all new delivery partners using light vehicles to complete a safety manager training course and an aptitude test, demonstrating a continued focus on raising safety standards. Details are available on the Uber partner sign-up page.
Ready to Hit the Road?
Being an Uber Eats delivery partner in Japan is a rewarding experience that offers freedom and flexibility. By taking proactive care of your vehicle, you set yourself up for success. Regular maintenance ensures you can deliver safely, efficiently, and without interruption, allowing you to focus on what matters most: earning money and enjoying your time on the road.
If you’ve prepared your vehicle and are ready to start your journey, the next step is to sign up. Join the community of delivery partners making it happen across Japan.
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