Get Paid to Drive Programs. Real Deal or Not ?

Is it true that you can get paid to drive your own car? Is this for real, or is it some kind of scam?

It is not a scam because there are companies who actually offer this kind of opportunity. And there are real people who are participating in these programs all over the U.S. and Canada, as well as in many other countries.

How do "get paid to drive" programs work ?

The concept is pretty simple.You drive your own car, on which an advertisement has been placed, and receive payment for doing so. In some cases, you may even be provided a free car, instead of having to drive your own car.

It's simply a type of advertising media, similar to billboards or taxi ads. Ads might promote a new business in town, an upcoming sports event, or even a new movie.

Don't worry though, because the ad is not an ugly pizza-delivery car-top box, but an attractive paint-safe vinyl film or decal that advertises some company's product or service. The ads can in the form of complete-car wraps (looks great on SUVs and trucks), partial wraps, or window decals. Ad decals can be easily removed or changed without harming the paint finish on your car.

These get-paid-to-drive or free-car programs are administered by advertising companies who are paid by their clients to promote their products and services. When you agree to place one of the ads on your car, you receive part of that advertising fee.

Whether or not you'll be accepted into a "get paid to drive" program, or get a free car, depends on where you live (metro areas are best), where you drive (high traffic streets are ideal), and where you park (high visibility is great). It also depends upon personal qualification.

If you only drive a few blocks to work in the suburbs, or drive only to school or church, you probably won't qualify for this kind of program. Generally, you must drive at least 1000 miles per month.

What's the catch with "get paid to drive" programs?

In order to qualify for a "get paid to drive " program, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid drivers license, have a clean car, and have an excellent driving record. You must sign an agreement that specifies how and where you will drive, for how long, and under what conditions. You usually pay for your own insurance and maintenance. If you fail to live up to your part of the deal, your agreement can be terminated.

You may or may not be able to select the type of advertisement that goes on your car, depending on the company and the type of ads it handles. Of course, if you don't like an ad, you can turn it down and wait for a better one. Most ads are attractive and professionally designed so that you shouldn't be embarrassed to be seen with it on your car.

Many companies place a GPS location system in your car so that they can periodically verify that you have driven where you said you would drive, and determine the number of miles you've driven. Occasional inspections may also be necessary to check the condition of the ad.

Remember that the advertisement remains on your car 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You are not permitted to remove it. You must be willing to drive the car everywhere you normally drive — to the mall, to your job, to school, to church, and everywhere else.

"Get paid to drive" programs are in heavy demand by potential drivers. There are more applications than there are opportunities. It may take 90 days or more to be accepted after you make application, if you get accepted at all. Therefore, patience and persistence are required. However, the effort and wait may be well worth it in the end.

Get paid to drive - how do I get started ?

There are many "get paid to drive" advertising companies, in many different locations. Many are in the U.S., but they are in other countries as well. Some companies are local and only advertise in a particular city or advertise specialty products. Some provide new cars, others only pay you to drive, or both.

Some "get paid to drive" companies, such as Ads on Wheels and AdSmart, advertise for drivers on the Internet, but not all — they don't have to. Many of these companies are not actually ad companies, but companies who collect names for their ad company clients. We can't confirm that these companies are worth working with.

You can do your own research and try to find ad companies yourself, but the best way is to "subscribe" to an ad company directory that is already compiled and provided by companies who specialize in this kind of service. You may have already seen ads for some of these companies on the Internet. We list some of the better directory companies at the end of this article.

There is typically a one-time charge for such a directory service, typically about $30. the more reputable companies offer a 90-day money-back satisfaction guarantee. Be aware that the quality of service can vary between different companies. Having a guarantee reduces your risk in case the directory doesn't live up to promises.

With your directory of ad companies and contact information in hand, it's up to you to apply for their programs. Some directory companies offer help with the application process. However, you should not pay additional money for this service. And you should not pay additional money for a "premium" or "priority" listing. Only get the directory.

When you make application to an advertising company, be honest. Don't say you that you drive 2000 miles a month when you only drive 500. Most companies will check your information and will monitor your driving.

There's no guarantee that you'll be accepted into a "get paid to drive" program, but simply filling out an application is a small investment with a potentially significant payoff.

So where do I get my "get paid to drive" directory ?

The companies shown below provide directories of advertising companies that offer free-car or get-paid-to-drive programs. Directories may include programs offered in the U.S. and many other countries.

The Free Car - The Free Car is our top choice for offering the top resources to enable you to obtain a free car or to get paid for driving your own car.This site offers a great "Car Finder" tool that allows you to see if there are advertisers in your area before you buy the service. We found the system quite well organized thus making it easy to find opportunities that may best meet your needs. This company has a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee and a nice free bonus product. Customer service is excellent and very responsive.

Free Car Index - Free Car Index is another premium program offering a very well organized database and directory. The database offers literally thousands of Free Car/Paid to Drive programs on behalf of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in addition to hundreds of public entities. Customer service is outstanding and very quick to respond.They also have a money-back guarantee.

Free Car Solution - Free Car Solution offers a comprehensive database of ad companies that pay people to drive cars with advertisements on them — with immediate online directory access. They provide good tips and information on how to successfully obtain advertising for your car or a free car in your market. Good stuff all around.