What You Need to Drive for Uber Eats

To drive for Uber Eats, you need a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a vehicle that meets Uber's requirements. Your license must be from the United States, Canada, or another country Uber operates in, and you'll need to be at least 19 years old (21 in some cities). The insurance must be active and cover commercial use—personal auto policies often don't, so check with your provider before you start.

Your vehicle can be a car, motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, depending on what's available in your area. If you're driving a car, it must be 2011 or newer in most markets, pass a vehicle inspection, and have no major damage. Motorcycles and scooters must be street-legal and registered. Uber will run a background check that looks at your driving record and criminal history going back seven years, so you'll know before you're approved whether you're may be able to access.

You'll also need a smartphone with GPS, a way to keep food at the right temperature (an insulated bag for hot orders, a cooler for cold ones), and a bank account where Uber can deposit your earnings. The app itself is free to read, and Uber doesn't charge you an upfront fee to sign up.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a valid driver's license, active insurance that covers commercial delivery, and a vehicle from 2011 or newer (or a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle depending on your area).
  • Uber runs a background check covering seven years of driving and criminal history before you're approved to start.
  • The sign-up process takes place entirely in the Uber Driver app and usually takes one to two weeks from submission to approval.
  • You earn money per delivery based on distance, time, and demand, and Uber takes a percentage before depositing your pay to your bank account.
  • Your personal auto insurance may not cover commercial delivery work, so contact your provider before your first shift.

How to Sign Up in the Uber Driver App

read the Uber Driver app from the App Store or Google Play, then open it and tap "Sign Up." Enter your phone number, and Uber will send you a verification code via text. After you verify, you'll create an account with your email address and a password. The app will ask you to confirm your location and what type of vehicle you'll be driving.

Next, you'll upload documents directly in the app. You'll need a photo of your driver's license (front and back), a photo of your vehicle's registration, and a photo of your insurance card. Make sure the photos are clear and all text is readable—blurry or cut-off documents will be rejected and you'll have to resubmit. Uber also requires a photo of you holding your driver's license, so they can match your face to your account.

After you submit your documents, Uber sends them to a third-party verification service. This usually takes three to five business days. Once your documents are verified, Uber runs the background check, which can take another week or longer depending on how quickly the background check company processes your information. You'll get a notification in the app when you're approved to start accepting deliveries.

Vehicle Inspection and Insurance Requirements

If you're driving a car, Uber requires a vehicle inspection before you can go live. You can schedule this inspection through the app—Uber shows you nearby inspection locations and available times. The inspection checks that your vehicle has working lights, brakes, windshield wipers, and no major damage like dents, rust, or broken windows. It takes about 15 minutes and costs nothing. Some inspection locations are Uber partner facilities; others are independent mechanics or inspection stations.

Your auto insurance is critical. Most personal auto policies exclude commercial delivery work, which means you won't be covered if you get in an accident while making a delivery. Before you start, call your insurance company and tell them you plan to drive for Uber Eats. Ask whether they offer a commercial or rideshare endorsement, or whether you need to switch to a commercial policy. Some insurers will add coverage for a small monthly fee; others will drop you if you do delivery work. It's better to know this before your first shift.

Uber also provides some coverage—they have contingent liability insurance that covers you while you're on an active delivery—but it's not a substitute for your own policy. The coverage is limited and only applies during the delivery itself, not while you're driving to the restaurant or waiting for an order.

How Earnings and Payments Work

You earn money for each delivery you complete. Uber calculates your pay based on three factors: the distance from the restaurant to the customer, the time the delivery takes, and the demand in your area at that moment. During busy times (lunch rush, dinner rush, bad weather), Uber may offer surge pricing, which increases what you earn per delivery. You can see the estimated payout before you accept each order, so you know what you'll make.

Uber takes a percentage of each delivery fee—the exact percentage varies by city and changes periodically. Customer tips go entirely to you and are separate from the delivery fee. Tips are usually added in the app after the delivery is complete, though some customers tip in cash at the door. You can see your total earnings for the day in the app under "Earnings."

Uber deposits your money to your bank account every week, usually on Wednesday or Thursday. You can also cash out when ready using Uber's when ready pay feature, though there's a small fee (usually $0.50 to $2.00) for each when ready withdrawal. Your earnings are reported to the IRS, and you're responsible for paying self-employment taxes on what you make.

What Happens During Your First Delivery

Once you're approved, open the Uber Eats app and toggle yourself online. The app will start showing you delivery requests in your area. Each request shows the restaurant, the customer's general location, the estimated distance, and the estimated payout. You can accept or decline as many orders as you want—there's no penalty for declining. Accept an order by tapping it.

The app will navigate you to the restaurant first. When you arrive, go inside or to the pickup area and tell them you're there to pick up an Uber Eats order. They'll give you the food in a bag or container. Check that the order looks complete and that hot items are hot and cold items are cold before you leave. If something looks wrong, tell the restaurant staff when ready.

Once you have the food, the app will navigate you to the customer's address. When you arrive, find the door or apartment number and knock or ring the bell. Hand the food to the customer or, if they're not home, leave it in a safe spot (like a porch or lobby) and take a photo so they know where it is. The app will prompt you to confirm the delivery, and then you're done. The customer can rate you and tip you in the app after you've left.

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

If you arrive at a restaurant and the order isn't ready, you can wait or cancel the delivery. If you wait more than a few minutes, contact the restaurant staff to check on the status. Some restaurants are slow during rush times, and waiting is part of the job. If the order is taking too long and you want to cancel, you can do that in the app, though Uber may penalize you if you cancel too many orders.

If you can't find the customer's address or the building is locked, use the app to call or message the customer. Most customers will respond quickly and give you directions or a gate code. If you can't reach them after a few minutes, you can return the food to the restaurant or keep it (depending on Uber's policy at that moment). The app will guide you through what to do.

If you get in an accident or your vehicle breaks down, stop accepting orders when ready and contact Uber support through the app. They can help you figure out next steps. If you're injured or the accident is serious, call 911 first, then contact Uber.

Taxes and Record-Keeping for Delivery Drivers

As an Uber Eats driver, you're an independent contractor, not an employee. That means Uber doesn't withhold taxes from your pay, and you're responsible for paying self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare tax) on your earnings. At the end of the year, Uber will send you a 1099-NEC form showing how much you made. You'll use this to file your taxes.

Keep records of your mileage, expenses, and earnings throughout the year. You can deduct the cost of gas, vehicle maintenance, insurance, phone service, and the depreciation of your vehicle from your taxable income. The IRS allows you to deduct either your actual expenses or use the standard mileage rate, which changes each year. Track your mileage with an app or a notebook so you have proof if you're audited.

Set aside money from each paycheck for taxes—a good rule of thumb is to save 25 to 30 percent of what you earn. Talk to a tax professional or accountant if you're not sure how much to set aside. Many drivers find it helpful to open a separate savings account just for taxes so they don't accidentally spend the money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved after I submit my documents?

Document verification usually takes three to five business days, and the background check can take another week or longer. In total, most drivers are approved within two to three weeks of submitting everything. You'll get a notification in the app when you're cleared to start.

Can I use a vehicle that's financed or leased?

Yes, as long as the registration is in your name or you have written permission from the owner. If you're leasing, check your lease agreement—some leasing companies don't allow commercial use. If you're financing, your lender usually doesn't care as long as you keep making payments.

What if I don't have a smartphone?

You need a smartphone to drive for Uber Eats. The app is how you receive orders, navigate to restaurants and customers, and confirm deliveries. Without it, you can't work. You don't need a fancy phone—any smartphone with GPS and a data connection will work.

Do I have to work a certain number of hours or days?

No. You can work whenever you want and as much or as little as you want. You control your own schedule. You can go online during lunch rush one day and not work again for a week. There's no minimum commitment.

What happens if a customer says they didn't receive their order?

Contact Uber support through the app and explain what happened. If you took a photo of the delivery, share it with support. Uber will investigate, and if they determine the food was delivered, you keep your pay. If they can't verify delivery, Uber may refund the customer and you may lose the payment for that order.