What You Need to Know Before You Start
Uber Eats accepts drivers in most U.S. cities, but the process takes two to four weeks from the moment you submit your information to the day you can start accepting orders. You will need a smartphone, a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a vehicle (car, motorcycle, scooter, or bike, depending on your city). Uber runs a background check on every applicant, and certain driving records or criminal history can disqualify you.
The sign-up itself is free and happens entirely on your phone or computer. You do not pay Uber to join. Once you are approved and working, Uber takes a percentage of each delivery fee you earn — not a percentage of the customer's food order, only the delivery fee itself. You keep 100 percent of customer tips.
Before you begin, check whether Uber Eats is currently accepting new drivers in your area. Uber sometimes closes sign-ups in certain cities when they have enough drivers. You can find this out by opening the Uber Eats app, tapping the account icon, and looking for a "Drive or Deliver" option. If it is not there, Uber is not accepting drivers in your location right now.
Key Takeaways
- Sign up through the Uber Eats app or website by providing your name, phone number, email, and driver's license information.
- You will need to upload photos of your driver's license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration before Uber reviews your account.
- Uber runs a background check that typically takes five to ten business days; you cannot start delivering until it clears.
- Your vehicle must pass a vehicle inspection, which you can schedule through the app once your background check is approved.
- Once your inspection passes, you can turn on the app and start receiving delivery requests in your area.
Step 1: Create Your Account and Provide Basic Information
Open the Uber Eats app or go to ubereats.com and tap or click "Drive or Deliver." You will be asked to enter your phone number, email address, and full name. Uber will send you a verification code via text or email — enter it to confirm your contact information is real.
Next, you will choose your delivery method: car, motorcycle, scooter, or bike. This choice depends on what is available in your city and what you own. If you select car, you will need to provide your driver's license number and state of issue. Uber will ask for your date of birth and Social Security number at this stage as well, because they need it for the background check and tax reporting.
Do not skip or guess on any of this information. Mismatches between what you enter and what appears on your official documents will delay your approval or cause your account to be rejected.
Step 2: Upload Your Documents
After you submit your basic information, Uber will ask you to photograph and upload three documents: your driver's license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration. You must use your phone's camera or upload clear photos from your device — blurry, cropped, or partially visible documents will be rejected and you will have to resubmit.
For your driver's license, photograph both the front and back. Make sure your name, license number, and expiration date are clearly visible. Your license must not be expired at the time you submit it.
For proof of insurance, upload a document that shows your name, your vehicle's make and model, the policy number, and the expiration date. An insurance card, a letter from your insurance company, or a digital copy from your insurer's app all work. The insurance must cover the vehicle you listed during sign-up.
For vehicle registration, upload the front of your registration card or a copy of your registration paperwork. It must show your name (or the name of someone who lives with you, if the vehicle is registered to a household member), the vehicle's make, model, and year, and the plate number.
Step 3: Pass the Background Check
Once you upload your documents, Uber sends them to a third-party background check company. This process typically takes five to ten business days. Uber will check your driving record for violations, accidents, and suspensions, and it will run a criminal background check as well.
Certain items can disqualify you: a suspended or revoked license, a DUI or DWI conviction within the past seven years, reckless driving convictions, at-fault accidents within the past three years (rules vary by state), or certain felonies. Uber's full list of disqualifying offenses is on their driver requirements page.
You will receive an email when your background check is complete. If you are approved, the email will tell you to proceed to the vehicle inspection step. If you are denied, the email will explain why. If you believe the decision is wrong — for example, if the background check company made an error about your driving record — you can contact Uber support to dispute it, though this process can take additional weeks.
Step 4: Schedule and Complete Your Vehicle Inspection
Once your background check clears, open the Uber Eats app and look for the vehicle inspection section. Uber will show you a list of inspection locations near you — these are usually third-party inspection centers, not Uber offices. You will select a date and time that works for you and drive to the location.
At the inspection, a technician will check that your vehicle is safe and roadworthy. They will verify that your lights work, your tires have tread, your brakes function, your windshield is not cracked, and your vehicle has no major damage. The inspection takes about 15 minutes. You must bring your driver's license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration to the appointment.
If your vehicle passes, the technician will mark it as approved in Uber's system and you will receive a confirmation email. If it fails, the email will list what needs to be fixed. You can schedule another inspection once you have made the repairs, and there is no fee to re-inspect.
Step 5: set up Your Account and Start Delivering
After your vehicle inspection passes, your account is fully approved. Open the Uber Eats app, go to the "Earnings" or "Account" tab, and toggle the switch to turn yourself online. You will see a map showing your delivery area. When a customer places an order nearby, you will receive a notification with the pickup location, the delivery address, and the delivery fee. You can accept or decline each order.
You are an independent contractor, which means you choose when to work and which orders to accept. Uber does not require you to work a minimum number of hours or accept a minimum percentage of orders. However, if you consistently decline orders or go offline frequently, Uber may deactivate your account.
Keep your app updated, maintain your vehicle, and follow Uber's community guidelines. You can work for other delivery services at the same time — there is no exclusivity requirement.
What Happens If Your process Is Denied or Delayed
If Uber denies your process, the email will state the reason. Common reasons include a disqualifying driving record, a failed background check, documents that do not match, or an address that is outside Uber's service area. If you believe the reason is incorrect, contact Uber support through the app and request a review. Provide any documentation that contradicts the decision — for example, a letter from your insurance company if Uber says your insurance is invalid, or a copy of your driving record from your state's DMV if you believe there is an error.
If your process is straightforward delayed — you have been waiting longer than two weeks and have not heard back — contact Uber support. Sometimes documents get lost or flagged for manual review, and a support agent can check on your status and resubmit if needed.
If you are denied and want to reapply, you must wait at least 30 days before submitting a new process. If the reason for denial was a driving record issue, you may need to wait until that item falls off your record or is resolved before you reapply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to own my vehicle or can I use a rental or borrowed car?
You can use a rental or borrowed vehicle as long as the insurance and registration documents you submit match the vehicle. If the car is registered to someone else, that person's name must appear on the registration. Some rental companies do not allow their vehicles to be used for delivery work, so check your rental agreement first.
What if my driver's license or insurance expires soon?
Your license and insurance must be valid on the day you submit them. If either expires within 30 days, Uber may still approve you, but you will need to upload new documents before they expire or your account will be deactivated. It is safer to renew before you explore.
Can I deliver on a motorcycle or scooter?
Yes, if Uber offers that option in your city. Motorcycles and scooters are available in some urban areas but not all. During sign-up, you will see which vehicle types are available in your location. The background check and inspection process is the same.
How long does the entire process take from start to finish?
Most people are approved and ready to deliver within two to four weeks. The background check is the longest step, typically five to ten business days. Document upload and vehicle inspection usually happen within a few days of each other once your background clears.
What if I have a minor traffic violation on my record?
Minor violations like a speeding ticket usually do not disqualify you. Uber's concern is serious violations: DUI, reckless driving, at-fault accidents, or a suspended license. If you are unsure whether your violation will affect your process, you can contact Uber support before you explore and ask.