Some say 8,000 zloty a month. Others say 3,000. The difference isn’t in the platform, but in commissions, fuel costs, and hours—which no one reveals right away. Qiwi Partner will break down the amount into specific figures—so you can calculate your own earnings, not someone else’s.
Formula: revenue minus commission minus expenses
Revenue isn't just the amount shown in the app at the end of a shift. Three factors determine the actual figure:
Revenue — the amount the customer paid for the ride or order.
Platform fee — the amount the app deducts before you receive your payment.
Costs. — fuel, car maintenance, depreciation, insurance.
How much does each platform actually take?
Uber. The commission is variable, approximately 25-50% of the total amount, and may be affected by weather conditions, the time of day the order is fulfilled, the day of the week, and other factors, plus a 23% VAT on this commission—which totals about 30–31% of the trip cost. For short trips, the platform sometimes charges less, 15–20%. For more expensive fares, the commission is significantly higher.
Bolt. Commission 30,75%
The difference here is fundamental: the platform takes nearly a third of a driver’s earnings, while it takes a nominal fixed amount from a Glovo courier.
How Much Does Fuel Really Cost: Hybrids vs. Natural Gas Cars
Pure gasoline is a rarity in day-to-day operations: most taxi drivers use either hybrid vehicles or cars equipped with LPG systems, because regular gasoline isn’t cost-effective for such high mileage.
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid—a typical car for a billing partner—consumes about 4.2 liters per 100 km, which is approximately 0.27 zlotys per kilometer at a gasoline price of 6.60 zlotys per liter. A car with a natural gas system costs 200–250 zlotys per week in fuel expenses—this is a real figure based on our partners’ experience, not the reference value of liters per 100 km, since gas consumption depends heavily on driving style and the condition of the system.
With a weekly mileage of 700–900 km, the difference between a hybrid and a natural gas-powered car comes out to between 30 and 60 zlotys per week—much less than if you were comparing it to a car that runs solely on gasoline without any alternative fuel system.
Sample Calculation for a Driver
A driver of a Toyota Corolla Hybrid works 50 hours a week in Warsaw for Bolt. Earnings: 6,000 zlotys per week. The 25% platform commission: minus 1,500 zlotys per week. Fuel costs for the hybrid amount to approximately 190 zlotys per week. Actual income before car maintenance is about 4,310 zlotys per week.
That same driver of a car with a natural gas system spends 200–250 zlotys a week on fuel instead of 190—the difference is small, 10–60 zlotys a week, and does not significantly change the overall picture.
Car maintenance and depreciation are a separate expense category that isn’t tied to the number of weeks: approximately 300–400 zlotys per month, regardless of how many weeks you worked that month.
Don't forget about the tax and the commission threshold
The example provided shows income before the flat-rate tax is applied. The standard rate for income from an employment contract is 8.5% on amounts up to 100,000 zlotys per year, and 12.5% on amounts exceeding that threshold. With weekly earnings of 6,000 zlotys, the annual income approaches or exceeds the 100,000 zlotys threshold—so part of the year may be taxed at the higher rate rather than at 8.5% for the entire year. A complete calculation of the flat-rate tax, along with an explanation of the threshold, can be found in a separate article on taxes.
Comparison of platforms by category
Qiwi Partner has already analyzed each platform individually, providing detailed figures:
- Uber driver's earnings,
- A Bolt driver's earnings,
- A Glovo courier's earnings,
- Wolt courier earnings,
- Uber Eats courier earnings.
What else affects the amount?
City. Warsaw, Katowice, Wrocław, and Gdańsk generate more orders per hour than a small town.
Time of day and day of the week. Friday evenings and late-night hours cost more due to higher rates.
Your own car or a rental. Renting involves a fixed weekly amount that’s easy to calculate in advance. Owning a car is cheaper in the long run, but it comes with unpredictable repair costs.
Several apps at once. Those who are connected to two or three platforms are less likely to have downtime without orders.
Common Errors in Calculations
Calculating revenue without factoring in commissions or fuel costs is the most common mistake made by beginners. Comparing random months—December and August have different levels of demand. Forgetting about depreciation—it costs money even before the repair bill arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can you actually earn as a driver in Poland?
Depending on the car, hours worked, and city—from 5,500 to over 12,000 zlotys net per month. The difference between a hybrid and a gasoline-powered car alone amounts to 300–400 zlotys per month.
Is it possible to estimate income in advance?
Yes. The formula—revenue minus commission minus fuel costs—provides an accurate estimate even before the first shift, as long as you know the car model and the platform's rate.
Which is more cost-effective—owning a car or renting one?
The rental cost is predictable: a fixed weekly amount. Renting a hybrid car saves 300–400 zlotys on fuel each month compared to a gasoline-powered car in the same category.
How to Get Started Without Unnecessary Initial Expenses
Settlement Partner It solves the problem of getting a car to start with right away—you already have a license, so all that’s left is to drive and count your actual earnings. Don’t have your own car? Rent a car In Warsaw, including hybrid models, this need is met without any initial investment.
Ready to calculate your income in real life? Become a driver or Become a courier with Qiwi Partner.
