What you need to drive for Uber
To drive for Uber, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, own or have regular access to a may have access to vehicle, and pass a background check. Uber's requirements are straightforward on paper, but the actual process involves multiple steps spread across weeks, and some of them depend on where you live.
The biggest variable is your vehicle. Uber has different car categories — UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Black — and each has different age and mileage requirements. A 2012 Honda Civic might may have access to for UberX but not Uber Comfort. A 2008 vehicle will not may have access to for any category, no matter its condition. You will also need active insurance that covers commercial rideshare driving, which is different from personal auto insurance and costs more.
The background check is the other major hurdle. Uber runs a check through a third-party company and looks at your driving record, criminal history, and sex offender registry. The exact standards vary by state and city, but generally you cannot have serious felonies, DUIs within the last seven years, or multiple moving violations. If you have a mark on your record, you may still be able to drive — Uber publishes its full criteria — but you will need to know this before you invest time in the process.
Key Takeaways
- Your vehicle must meet Uber's age and mileage requirements for your chosen category, and you will need to provide the VIN and insurance information during signup.
- You must carry commercial rideshare insurance, not personal auto insurance, which typically costs $15 to $25 per week depending on your location and driving history.
- The background check takes one to two weeks and can disqualify you if you have recent DUIs, serious felonies, or too many moving violations — Uber publishes its full criteria online.
- The entire process from signup to your first trip usually takes three to four weeks, and you cannot drive until every step is complete and approved.
- You will need to provide documents in a specific order: driver's license, proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and a Social Security number for tax purposes.
Documents you will need to gather first
Before you start the Uber signup process, collect these documents. Having them ready will speed things up and prevent you from getting stuck halfway through.
You need a valid driver's license (state ID is not enough), proof of insurance that covers rideshare driving, your vehicle's registration, and your vehicle's VIN. You will also need your Social Security number and a valid bank account for deposits. If you are a permanent resident rather than a citizen, you will need your green card or visa information. Uber will ask for a photo of your face during signup, so have a clear, well-lit photo ready.
The insurance piece is critical and often trips people up. Your personal auto insurance almost certainly does not cover rideshare driving. You need a policy that explicitly says it covers Uber or commercial rideshare. Some insurance companies offer rideshare endorsements that add $15 to $25 per week to your existing policy. Others require you to switch to a rideshare-specific policy. Call your current insurer first — if they do not offer rideshare coverage, search for "rideshare insurance" plus your state to find companies that do. Do not skip this step. If you have an accident while driving for Uber without rideshare insurance, your claim will be denied.
The vehicle requirements by category
Uber has three main categories in most cities, and each has different rules about how old your car can be and how many miles it can have.
| Category | Minimum Year | Maximum Mileage | Other Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| UberX | 2012 or newer | Usually 200,000 miles | 4 doors, 5 seats, good condition |
| Uber Comfort | 2015 or newer | Usually 150,000 miles | Newer interior, higher cleanliness standard |
| Uber Black | 2015 or newer | Usually 100,000 miles | Luxury vehicle, professional appearance required |
These are the standard requirements, but they vary by city. Some cities have stricter rules, and some have different year cutoffs. When you start the signup process, Uber will tell you which categories your specific vehicle qualifies for based on your VIN. You cannot choose a category and then buy a car — you enter your vehicle information first, and Uber tells you what you can drive.
The mileage limit is based on what Uber's system shows, not your odometer. Uber pulls the mileage history from the vehicle history report, so if your odometer is broken or has been rolled back, that will be caught. If your car is over the mileage limit for all categories, you cannot drive for Uber until you get a different vehicle.
Step-by-step signup process
The Uber signup happens through the Uber Driver app, which is separate from the regular Uber app. read it, create an account with your email or phone number, and you will be guided through a series of screens.
First, you enter your basic information: name, date of birth, address, and phone number. Uber will send you a verification code by text. Next, you upload a photo of your driver's license (front and back) and a clear photo of your face. The photo of your face must be recent and show your face clearly — sunglasses and hats should not cover your features. If the photo is rejected, you will get a message saying why, and you can resubmit.
Then you enter your vehicle information: the VIN, license plate, and registration state. Uber pulls the vehicle details from the VIN automatically. You upload a photo of your vehicle registration and proof of insurance. The insurance document must show your name, the vehicle information, and that it covers rideshare driving. A screenshot of your insurance company's website is usually not enough — you need the actual policy document or a declaration page.
After that, you provide your Social Security number and bank account information for deposits. Uber will verify your bank account by depositing two small amounts (usually under $1 each) and asking you to confirm the amounts. This takes one to three business days. Once confirmed, the background check begins.
The background check and how long it takes
Uber uses a third-party company called Checkr to run your background check. The check includes your driving record, criminal history, and sex offender registry. Uber publishes its full criteria for disqualification on its website, and you can read exactly what will and will not block you.
The background check usually takes five to ten business days, but it can take longer if there is something on your record that needs manual review. If you have a criminal conviction or a DUI, Uber may take two to three weeks to make a decision. You will get an email when the check is complete. If you are approved, you move to the next step. If you are denied, the email will tell you why, and you will have the option to appeal or provide additional information.
While the background check is running, you cannot drive. You can see the status in the Uber Driver app under "Documents" or "Account Status." If you are waiting and want to know where things stand, you can contact Uber support through the app, but they cannot speed up the process — they can only tell you whether the check is still pending or complete.
Getting your first ride and what happens next
Once your background check is approved and your bank account is verified, Uber will set up your account. You will get an email saying you are ready to drive. At that point, you can open the Uber Driver app, go online, and start accepting rides.
Your first ride may take a few minutes or a few hours depending on demand in your area. When a ride request comes in, you will see the passenger's pickup location, destination, and estimated fare. You can accept or decline. Once you accept, the passenger can see your location and vehicle information, and you drive to pick them up.
Uber takes a commission from each ride — typically 25 to 30 percent depending on your city and the ride category. The rest goes to you. You also keep 100 percent of tips. Money is deposited to your bank account once per week, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday. You can see your earnings in real time in the app, broken down by ride.
After your first few rides, pay attention to your rating. Passengers rate you from one to five stars, and your average rating appears in your driver profile. If your rating drops below 4.6 stars in most cities, Uber may deactivate your account. Ratings are based on cleanliness, driving behavior, and how you treat passengers. Keep your car clean, follow traffic laws, and be polite, and your rating will stay high.
Common reasons applications get stuck or rejected
The most common reason an process stalls is an insurance document that does not clearly show rideshare coverage. Uber's system is automated and looks for specific language. If your insurance company calls it "commercial driving" instead of "rideshare," the upload may be rejected. If this happens, contact your insurance company and ask for a document that explicitly says "Uber" or "rideshare." Some companies will email you a corrected version within hours.
The second common issue is a vehicle that does not meet the age or mileage requirement. You cannot change this — you either need a different car or you need to wait until the year changes and your vehicle becomes old enough for a lower category. For example, a 2013 vehicle cannot drive UberX until 2021 (when it becomes nine years old), but it might may have access to for a different category in the meantime.
Background check rejections usually happen because of a DUI, a serious felony, or multiple moving violations within a short time. If you are rejected, read the reason carefully. Some rejections can be appealed, especially if the information is outdated or incorrect. Uber's appeals process involves submitting documents that contradict what the background check found — for example, if a conviction was expunged, you can submit the expungement order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to become an Uber driver?
There is no signup fee to create an Uber driver account. Your main costs are rideshare insurance (typically $15 to $25 per week) and a vehicle that meets Uber's requirements. If you do not already own a may have access to car, that is your largest expense. Some drivers finance or lease vehicles specifically for rideshare work.
Can I drive for Uber if I have a DUI on my record?
It depends on how recent it is and your state's laws. Uber generally disqualifies drivers with a DUI in the last seven years, but some cities have different rules. Check Uber's full criteria for your state before you explore. If you have a DUI older than seven years, you may still be approved.
What if my vehicle is registered to someone else?
Uber requires that the vehicle be registered to the person driving it. If the car is registered to a family member or someone else, you will need to either have it re-registered in your name or use a different vehicle. Some rideshare rental companies offer vehicles specifically for Uber drivers if you do not own a car.
How long does the whole process take from start to first ride?
Typically three to four weeks. The background check alone takes five to ten business days, and the bank account verification takes one to three days. If there are any issues with your documents, it can take longer. Some people are approved and driving within two weeks if everything is in order.
Do I need a commercial driver's license to drive for Uber?
No. A regular driver's license is sufficient. You do not need a commercial license, a taxi medallion, or any special permit. Rideshare driving is different from taxi or commercial trucking, and the licensing requirements are different.