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Quickstart Guide to Becoming an Uber Driver

Are you interested in driving with Uber? You can drive passengers, or you can deliver with Uber Eats.

Getting started can be intimidating, so here are our best resources for becoming an Uber driver and getting a profitable start.

Drive with Uber: Apply for Uber here!

Getting started: The steps to become an Uber driver

Learn the requirements to become a driver, and how to navigate the application process.

  • Uber driver requirements: Do you qualify?
  • Too young for Uber? Other driving gigs to try
  • The Uber background & driving record check
  • What kind of phone do you need to drive for Uber?
  • Rejected by Uber: Can you reapply?

All about cars: Vehicle requirements, and how to rent a car

Learn what kind of car you’ll need for Uber, or how to rent a car if you don’t currently own one that qualifies.

  • Uber vehicle requirements: Does your car qualify?
  • Will your car pass the Uber vehicle inspection?
  • How to rent or buy a vehicle for Uber
  • Uber Black driver requirements
  • How to find rideshare insurance

Delivering with Uber Eats

Delivering for Uber Eats is another way to earn on the Uber platform. The vehicle requirements are more lenient than ridesharing, and many drivers prefer delivering food over driving passengers.

Deliver with Uber Eats! Click here to apply
  • Driving for Uber Eats: What it’s like to deliver food for Uber
  • How much Uber Eats drivers make, according to the top data sources
  • The highs and lows of Uber Eats driver pay: Real examples
  • How Uber Eats drivers can switch to rideshare 
  • Are Walmart orders worth it for Uber Eats drivers?

The life of an Uber driver: Strategies, app features, and how to earn more

It’s easy to feel like you’re on your own when you’re an Uber driver: Your ‘boss’ is an app, and you don’t have any coworkers to turn to for advice. Here’s how to get help, and how you can master all of the ins-and-outs of being a rideshare driver.

  • How much Uber drivers make, according to the most recent data
  • How to contact Uber when you need help
  • Get in-person help at Uber Greenlight Hubs
  • How upfront fares work for drivers
  • How to filter out riders with low ratings
  • The most rides you can do in a day? This driver did 61

What is Uber? Learn about Uber from a passenger’s perspective

As a driver, it’s important to understand how your passengers use Uber. Learn about ride types, pricing, and how passengers use different Uber services in different situations.

  • What’s the difference between UberX, UberXL, UberPlus, and UberBlack?
  • How much does Uber cost?
  • How to use Uber at the airport
  • How to do a round trip or multiple stops in an Uber
  • Schedule an Uber with Uber Reserve
  • How to use Uber Eats

Uber Driver FAQ

How much do Uber drivers make?
According to our research, most Uber drivers make around making $15—$25 per hour. View our research: How much do Uber drivers really make?

How do I get started as an Uber driver?
Start by filling out the online application. After completing the application, you will have to wait a few days for the background screening to take place. Uber will let you know the results of the screening.

Uber will also let you know about other steps you need to complete. You will fill out vehicle information, uploading photos of documents like your insurance and vehicle registration.

You can sign on and drive after you pass the background screening and after all of your documents are approved.

What about auto insurance? Do I provide my own or use Uber’s?
Uber provides liability & contingent collision insurance. The policy covers you and your passengers, but it’s important to understand the limitations of the insurance and how you can maximize protection for yourself and your vehicle. Learn more about rideshare insurance here.

Does Uber pay for any driver expenses?
No. You pay for your own gas, maintenance, personal insurance, and other costs. The good news is that you can deduct some of those expenses on your tax return.

  • The top tax mistakes and drivers can easily avoid
  • The best gas rewards programs for Uber and Lyft drivers

My car doesn’t qualify for Uber. Can I still drive?
Yes. Uber provides rental options in many cities. You can complete the application process even if you don’t have access to an Uber-approved car.

Is there a vehicle inspection?
Yes, but not in every city. Uber will let you know if you need an inspection during the application process. Uber will connect you with a list of nearby inspection locations and give further instructions for completing the inspection.

You can also have any certified mechanic complete the inspection, typically for around $30. Learn more about the Uber inspection here.

Do I have to pass a background check?
Yes. After you apply, you’ll be asked to sign an online consent form that gives Uber permission to run a background check through a third-party service. The background check goes back seven years. Read more about the Uber background check.

My application is taking forever. How do I found out if I was accepted or rejected? And can I reapply?
If more than 10 days have gone by since you initiated the background check and you haven’t received an answer, contact Uber.

If you were rejected, you can reapply after 3-6 months but your odds of acceptance are very low if you were already rejected.

Comments

  1. Richard, Walton,Houghton says

    May 16, 2016 at 9:42 pm

    This reading of the comments from other PEOPLE about starting up driving with UBER is worth the Time to read it .

    The age and condition of the Vehicle ? The Insurance QUESTION ? The Back Ground Check ‘

    A 2006 Honda Odyssey (like new) GEICO (5-Year safe Driver) Retired USAF,Safety Tech. over 22 years on Oahu,Hawaii.

    Im, praying that the HAWAIIAN Legislation DOES NOT mess up this job chance for the Retired Military in Hawaii ‘./ or any state that it will provide a way to supplement
    Our income during these times when we are about to lose our homes, due to NO-COLA- for over 5- Years and counting.

    Reply
  2. Tom says

    May 15, 2016 at 9:07 am

    Hi Doug… Thinking of using Evercar as my Uber and Lyft driving car. Worried that battery may run low over the day to a point where
    I’m dispatched by Uber but cannot make run due to low battery. Will this effect my driving rating with Uber?

    Thanks.

    Tom

    Reply
    • DougH says

      May 16, 2016 at 11:31 am

      If you see that your battery is running low, you can log out of the app and charge back up, then log back in. If you accept a ride with a low battery and you find that the destination is too far for your current charge, you’d have to cancel the ride. That won’t lead to low ratings from passengers, but it could lead to a high ride cancellation rate, which can get you in trouble with uber.

      Reply
      • Lanay De Angelo says

        June 17, 2016 at 10:49 am

        I’m curious? If Evercar is a rental how the heck does one prove they are listed on ever cars policy for that car since the cars change? I currently drive for uber but in my own car.

        Reply
        • DougH says

          June 17, 2016 at 6:27 pm

          That’s a good question. I don’t know for sure, but I imagine they have it worked out so they can quickly add and drop people from policies.

  3. Gregory Roper says

    May 14, 2016 at 8:11 pm

    Are Uber drovers contractor working on A 1099? Or do they take taxes out of each weekly parent?

    Reply
    • DougH says

      May 16, 2016 at 11:32 am

      Yes, Uber drivers are paid on a 1099 basis. Taxes are NOT taken out of your weekly pay, so you’ll have to remember to do that.

      Reply
  4. Anthony says

    May 2, 2016 at 11:07 am

    Do you need TLC plates to drive for uber? Or could I just drive with my regular plates

    Reply
    • DougH says

      May 2, 2016 at 11:50 am

      In certain cities like NYC and Seattle you need special local permits. Most cities require regular registration and plates.

      Reply
  5. Aurora says

    April 21, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    Hi! My car is new ( a 2014 Nissan Altima) so I don’t have a blue registration sticker yet. Uber is requesting one… So, What do I do? Also , how often do uber drivers get paid?

    Reply
    • DougH says

      April 21, 2016 at 7:02 pm

      Drivers get paid weekly. For the registration sticker, all you can do is try to get it as quickly as you can so you can show it to Uber.

      Reply
  6. kth says

    April 13, 2016 at 8:23 pm

    I have a ford focus 2014 had an accident and came out rebuild tittle, all everything work perfectly it does qualify for uber?

    Reply
    • DougH says

      April 15, 2016 at 2:49 pm

      They don’t typically accept rebuilt/salvage but you can try

      Reply
  7. Jerry says

    April 13, 2016 at 1:01 pm

    I have a 2006 limited Jeep Commander 7 passanger can that be used in Houston Tx

    Reply
    • DougH says

      April 13, 2016 at 3:24 pm

      Yes it can. That would be an UberXL.

      Reply
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