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Five things you need to know about Uber launching in Las Vegas

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Lex Cannon

As of October 24, Uber, the much-clamored for ride-share app, is launching in Nevada, Las Vegas and Reno/Carson City joining the 222 cities in 46 countries that are already enjoying its benefits. Here's what you need to know, courtesy of Uber spokesperson Eva Behrend.

1. It’s a pretty simple system. When it comes to Uber, everything is done with your phone. When you request a car, it will give you an estimated time of arrival and messages indicating how close your driver is. On the bottom it has a picture of your driver, their license plate number and the kind of car they have. (Unlike cabs, all Uber drivers are driving their personal vehicles.) When the car pulls up, you confirm the driver's name, they confirm your name ... and you're ready to be transported to your destination. Payment also goes through the app, and there is no money exchanged. The "tracking" system works by an iPhone provided by Uber to each driver. (Unlike Domino's, which requires you to attach an ugly sign to the top of your car, Uber puts no markings on your personal vehicle.)

2. You will be able to use Uber anywhere ... except the Strip. According to Behrend, "Currently we recognize that there’s some 'operational issues' on the Strip." That means Uber drivers can drop people off on the Strip, but they can't pick them up. In other words, any Strip tourist wishing to utilize Uber will have to do so by taking a cab or walking to a location off the Strip and taking an Uber vehicle back to their hotel. "This is an opportunity for them to get off-Strip and see everything else Las Vegas has to offer. They can take a cab somewhere, and take Uber back, with the reliability of knowing they’ll be able to get back," Behrend says.​

3. Uber should be able to meet immediate demand. According to Behrend, Uber already has "hundreds" of employees statewide. If you're interested in joining the Uber ranks, here's what to expect: Assuming you're 21 or over, you'll endure a rigorous background check—local, county, state and federal—including drugs and alcohol, a criminal background check, sexual violation registry and, of course, driving record. After all that, your vehicle will be subject to a 19-point inspection by a third-party mechanic.

4. Uber has serious checks and balances. All drivers are covered by $1 million in liability insurance, which is activated the minute the driver turns on the app and continues until the conclusion of the ride. (If the application is on and you have not accepted a ride, you are still covered by $100,000 as secondary insurance.) In addition, if you pick up a drunken passenger who, uh, hurls in your car, the driver is compensated. "The rider's information is attached to that account, so we can charge them for the cleaning fee," Behrend says.

5. All those threats by the Nevada Taxicab Authority should not deter potential Uber drivers. The Authority says Uber drivers could face fines of $10,000 and possible vehicle impounds because Uber should be regulated by the Taxicab Authority, but is not. But Behrend says it's a situation Uber is well aware of, adding, "We want people who partner with us to know that we stand by them, and we’ll fight any unjust citations and impound fees. And we’ll cover that."

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Ken Miller

Ken Miller is the editor of Las Vegas Magazine, having previously served as associate editor at Las Vegas Weekly, assistant ...

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