If you’re a Melbourne rideshare driver — or thinking about becoming one — you’ve probably wondered whether you can sign up for both Uber and DiDi and run them simultaneously. The short answer is yes, and most full-time Melbourne rideshare drivers do exactly this.
Here’s how it works, why it makes financial sense, and what you need to know to do it effectively.
Is It Allowed?
Neither Uber nor DiDi prohibit their drivers from working with other platforms. You are an independent contractor, not an employee, which means you’re free to work with as many platforms as you choose.
Running both apps simultaneously is a common practice among Melbourne rideshare drivers and is not against the terms of service of either platform. The only requirement is that you don’t accept a ride on one platform while you’re already completing a trip on another — which is practically enforced anyway, since both apps show you as unavailable while you’re on a trip.
How Does It Work in Practice?
Both the Uber Driver app and the DiDi Driver app run independently on your phone. You can have both open and set to receive requests at the same time.
When a ride request comes in on either app, you accept it, complete the trip, and then return to waiting with both apps active again. Most drivers use a dual phone mount on their dash — one for navigation and one for the second app — though many manage both on a single phone once they’re comfortable with the workflow.
The practical result is that you spend less time sitting idle between rides. Instead of waiting for Uber to send you a request, you have a second stream of potential rides coming through DiDi at the same time. This can meaningfully increase your trips per hour during periods when one platform is running slow.
What Are the Financial Benefits?
The maths are straightforward. If you’re only on Uber and experience 15 minutes of idle time per hour, switching to both platforms can reduce that idle time to 8 to 10 minutes — effectively increasing your productive driving time by around 10 to 15% without any extra hours on the road.
Over a 40-hour week, that efficiency gain can add $100 to $200 to your weekly gross earnings without any additional time investment.
During periods when one platform is running a driver incentive or promotion — which both Uber and DiDi do regularly in Melbourne — having the flexibility to prioritise that platform while keeping the other running in the background lets you capture those bonus earnings without going offline entirely on either service.
Do You Need a Different Car for Each Platform?
No. Both Uber and DiDi have similar vehicle requirements in Victoria, and a car that qualifies for one will almost always qualify for the other. A single well-maintained, rideshare-compliant vehicle covers both platforms.
If you’re renting a vehicle specifically for rideshare work, confirm with your rental provider that the vehicle is compliant for both Uber and DiDi. Specialist rideshare rental providers in Melbourne — like Baraka Car Rentals — supply vehicles already approved for both platforms, so you can activate on both from day one without any additional steps.
Any Downsides to Running Both?
A few minor ones worth being aware of:
Occasional double requests. Very rarely, you might receive requests on both apps at almost exactly the same time. You accept whichever comes first, then go offline on the other briefly. Both apps understand that drivers sometimes decline requests and it won’t significantly affect your standing.
App management takes practice. Juggling two apps while driving takes a bit of getting used to. Most drivers find they’re comfortable with the workflow within a week. Keep both apps clearly visible on your dash setup before you start.
Rating management doubles. You have ratings to maintain on both Uber and DiDi. The same professional approach to every trip — clean car, friendly manner, efficient routing — serves you well on both platforms equally.
The Bottom Line
Running Uber and DiDi simultaneously is the standard practice for full-time Melbourne rideshare drivers for good reason — it reduces idle time, smooths out the variability between platforms, and lets you capture incentives from both. If you’re serious about maximising your rideshare income in Melbourne, signing up for both platforms from the start is one of the most straightforward ways to do it.