Who is the Ideal Driver? Key Requirements for Drivers in Colombia

Driving in Colombia requires more than just taking the wheel. As an independent driver, you’re taking the responsibility to keep your passenger and their possessions safe in your vehicle. This may be a tall order, but it comes with a huge perk: the ability to work whenever you want.

If you’re interested in signing up for a ride-hailing app like Yango, we have outlined the key driver requirements in Colombia. We’ve also covered what you need to succeed once you’ve joined the platform.

Once you download Yango Pro on your device, you can start the application process, which involves providing proof of the following:

• Valid Class B driver’s license to demonstrate that you can drive.
• Being at least 21 years old and having at least 3 years of driving experience
• Vehicle registration to verify that the car you’re going to use is legally operated in Colombia.

From there, we will conduct our background checks and verify your documents. A couple of days after, you should get a decision from our team. If approved, you can turn on the app and start getting orders from covered areas in Colombia.

Fulfilling the legal requirements is just the first step. Having the right set of skills will help you succeed as a driver in Colombia:

• Defensive driving. Having the skills for safe driving is more important than getting to your destination quickly. Your ability to stay alert and to maintain a quick reaction time will help you quickly react to any upcoming dangers.
• Navigation skills. GPS apps may largely be responsible for this now, but it’s not perfect. So, if there are any issues with route accuracy, you should still be able to make quick decisions to limit delays on the ETA.
• Smooth driving. Some passengers may be prone to motion sickness, so rough starts and stops may get you a bad rating. Smooth acceleration and deceleration also help your car consume fuel more efficiently.

In Colombia, road conditions can vary a lot based on weather and traffic. If you’re offering riding as a service, all these skills can help keep passengers happy.

Although superior skills for driving are needed, they’re not enough. Working as a driver puts you in front of the customer, so you need to think about the customer service aspect as well. This means the following:

• Maintaining a pleasant attitude. Being polite can go a long way. You don’t necessarily have to be the best conversationalist, but a positive demeanor can help the client feel at ease.
• Not escalating any conflict. If there’s a disagreement on expectations, the driver should remain calm. To avoid even bigger issues, they should resolve the situation as necessary. This can involve dropping the passenger in a public place to protect yourself or having our support team arbitrate the situation.
• Creating a comfortable environment. Skills for safe driving should be matched with a good ride experience. So, maintain the cleanliness of the vehicle and make sure that there aren’t any off-putting smells.

Think of what you expect when you go to a hotel. You require more than just a place to sleep. So, as a driver in Colombia, you should uphold high standards in the customer service aspect of the job.

Since we launched Yango in the country in 2023, we have expanded app availability to many major cities in Colombia, such as Bogota, Medellin, and Cali. Aside from private trips, the Yango app now also supports delivering parcels and heavier cargoes.

With these expansions, we expect a greater demand for services and more ways for partner drivers to earn money. By completing all driver requirements for Colombian riders, you can participate in this lucrative opportunity to make money on your own time and terms.