Google doesn’t hire Street View drivers directly. The drivers you see in camera-topped cars are usually contractors hired through staffing agencies for a few months at a time in a specific area. To become one, search job sites for “Google Street View driver” or “Street View driver” in your area, and apply through the staffing company that posted the listing. You’ll typically need a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and to pass a background check and drug screen. If you’d rather contribute imagery on your own schedule, you can also publish your own 360-degree photos to Google Maps for free.
How to become a Google Street View driver
- Search for openings. On Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, and similar sites, search for “Google Street View driver,” “Street View driver,” or “mapping driver.” Openings appear when Google is collecting imagery in a region.
- Check the staffing company. Listings are usually posted by staffing agencies that place contractors with Google. Make sure the posting comes from a real agency and never pay a fee to apply.
- Apply and interview. Expect questions about your driving experience, availability, and comfort with long days alone on the road.
- Pass the checks. Most contracts require a motor vehicle record check, a background check, and a drug test.
- Complete training. You’ll learn how to operate the camera system, follow assigned routes, and report problems.
What Street View drivers do
- Drive assigned routes to photograph roads with a roof-mounted camera and sensor system.
- Monitor the equipment and restart it or report problems when needed.
- Plan around weather, since imagery is usually collected in good daylight conditions.
- Keep the vehicle clean, fueled, and maintained, and upload data at the end of a shift.
Typical requirements
- A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record
- Passing a background check and drug screen
- Living near the area being mapped
- Full-time availability, usually weekdays, for the length of the contract
- Comfort with basic technology and long solo drives
The car and camera are provided. You don’t use your own vehicle.
How much do Street View drivers make?
Pay depends on the region and the staffing company. Job listings on sites like ZipRecruiter have commonly shown hourly pay in the mid-teens to mid-twenties in US dollars. Contracts are usually temporary and may not include benefits. Check the listing for details.
Other ways to put imagery on Google Maps
You don’t need a job to add photos and Street View imagery to Google Maps:
- Upload photos of places from the Google Maps app by opening a place and tapping Add photos, or by tapping Contribute.
- Publish 360-degree imagery with a compatible 360 camera through Street View Studio on the web. You can record a drive, walk, or bike ride and publish it as a Street View sequence.
- Join Local Guides to earn points and badges for reviews, photos, and edits.
These contributions are unpaid, but they’re a good way to help map places the Street View cars haven’t reached.
Watch out for Street View job scams
- Real openings never ask you to pay for training, equipment, or a “vehicle deposit.”
- Be cautious with offers that come by text or messaging app with no interview.
- Google doesn’t recruit Street View drivers through social media messages.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive for Google Maps with my own car?
Not as a Street View driver. Contractors use company-provided vehicles. With your own 360 camera, though, you can publish your own imagery through Street View Studio.
Does Google have Street View driver jobs outside the US?
Yes. Google collects imagery in many countries, often through local contractors. Search job sites in your country for Street View or mapping driver roles.
How can I see when the Street View car is coming to my area?
Google used to publish a schedule of where its cars were driving. If it isn’t available for your country, just check your street in Google Maps from time to time for newer imagery.
Is being a Street View driver a full-time job?
During the contract, it’s usually full-time on weekdays. Contracts often last a few months, depending on the area being mapped.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.