Applying to drive for Uber and Lyft is as easy as filling out an online application, but finding out if you were accepted or rejected isn’t always so easy.
Your application can get stuck in limbo, with weeks going by without a word from Uber or Lyft about the status of your application.
And if Uber or Lyft rejects you, they may not tell you exactly why or if there is a way to reapply.
It is possible to reapply to Uber and Lyft, but you typically have to wait ~6 months and your chances of being accepted following a rejection are low.
There is no official reapplication process, but you can contact Uber or Lyft and ask to reapply.
How to find out if you were accepted or rejected by Uber/Lyft
Uber and Lyft don’t always make to easy to know the status of your application.
Both companies give a vague answer about how long the process will take. Uber says 7–10 days, and Lyft says the process could take up to several weeks.
Uber will send an app notification and email when you are accepted or rejected. But you might not hear anything at all if you were rejected. In that case, you must contact Uber and ask for an answer.
Lyft will also send an app notification and email when they make a decision about your application. If you’re not accepted, they will send a message that lets you know that they chose not to approve your application.
Check your application status in the Uber or Lyft driver app
The best way to find out your current status is to log into the Uber Driver app or the Lyft driver app and check for updates. Both apps will show you if there are still more steps to complete.
If it’s been more than 10 days since you applied without hearing back from Uber or Lyft, check the driver app and consider contacting the company.
Why applicants get rejected by Uber or Lyft
The most common reason for a rejection is usually issues with your criminal background or driving record.
- Issues on your background check — Uber and Lyft can reject you for just about any issues on your background check, even if the timing of your charge falls outside their stated guidelines. Pending issues and arrests without convictions are also common causes of rejection.
- Issues on your driving record check — Generally, more than than 3 minor violations or one major violation will trigger a rejection. Offenses for driving on a suspended license or driving without insurance on your record will almost always cause a rejection
Uber and Lyft reserve the right to reject you for just about any reason, and their final decisions aren’t always consistent.
Background check issues are a common reason for rejection
More reading on Uber and Lyft requirements
- Will you pass the Uber background check?
- The Lyft background check
- Fired by Uber: Why drivers get deactivated, and how to get reactivated
- Deactivated by Lyft? Steps to get your account back
Accepted by one company but not the other: Why?
If you’re accepted by one company, you might expect to be accepted by the other because they both have similar requirements.
But some drivers are surprised when they get accepted by one, but rejected by the other.
The final hiring decision is made by a human, which can cause some inconsistency.
There are also market forces at play: If demand for new drivers on one app is very high in a particular city, they might loosen their standards while the other company keeps its standards the same.
Neither company publishes the specifics of their hiring policies for drivers, so there’s no way to prepare for this or work around the differences in hiring practices.
You can reapply to Uber and Lyft, but you have to wait. And odds of success are low
It is possible to reapply to drive for both companies, but neither company gives direct guidelines on when you can reapply.
There is no special application for reapplicants or other systems to process reapplicants.
In emails with support staff from both companies, I’ve gotten answers varying from “We take it on a case-by-case basis” to “rejected applicants can reapply after X time goes by.”
- Uber: Try to reapply after 3 – 4 months
- Lyft: Try to reapply after ~6 months
How to reapply to Uber
Uber does not provide a method for rejected applicants to directly reapply, but it is possible. To reapply to Uber after being rejected, contact Uber support and ask if they can reconsider. Let them know you want to reapply and ask if there’s anything you need to do.
Some drivers have found success with this method, especially if enough time has passed to allow a driving issue to drop off the motor vehicle record.
Don’t fill out the normal online application a second time because you’ll only get an error message saying you already have a driver account.
How to reapply to Lyft
It is possible to reapply to Lyft. Like Uber, Lyft doesn’t provide a unique application for reapplicants or instructions on how you can reapply.
To reapply to Lyft after being rejected, contact Lyft support and ask to reapply. Lyft will only consider your reapplication if it’s been around 6 months since your rejection.
If you try to fill out the driver application a second time, you’ll get an error message saying that you already have an account.
The reality: Your chances of acceptance are low if you’ve been rejected
Even though it’s possible to reapply with both companies, your chances of being accepted following a rejection are low.
If you were rejected due to your background, it’s very unlikely that either company will reconsider your application.
But it’s worth trying if you are motivated to drive for Uber or Lyft. Other rejected or deactivated drivers have been accepted, so it’s worth contacting Uber or Lyft now and then to try your luck.
Can’t drive for Uber or Lyft? Try these apps instead
There are many other ways to earn with your car. These companies offer similar work and compensation, and may have more lenient standards for drivers.
- DoorDash — On-demand delivery apps that have easier requirements and accept younger applicants
- Instacart — Grocery delivery
- Amazon Flex — Use your car to deliver packages
- Other delivery apps
Darlene says
Rejected by Lyft all three times I’ve applied. I was told they depend 100% on one reporting agency’s recommendation: Sterling Talent Solutions.
Accepted by Uber first time who depended on Checkr’s report which is the same, but different format.
So, as everything in life, “it depends…”
Garrett says
I was denied by Uber in Upstate NY for a pending charge that has since been dismissed. Can I reapply?
DougH says
You can, but even with the dismissed charge on your record you could be rejected.
Monique says
I have a major violation because of I was driving with my learner license is there a chance I won’t get activated because if it ? My background said consider on it but the charge is almost 3 years ago.
DougH says
Usually any major violation in the last 3-5 years will disqualify you. If it’s been more than 7 days contact Uber and ask for the final decision.
Andy says
My previous job required me to travel thru several states. I was at the job for 8 years and I drove several thousands of miles every month.
So yes, I have been in every single states from north to south midwest to east coast many times over.
I received a ticket at a small crack town in upstate NY, where everything is handled manually.
I have not received any tickets or anything in the state where I live in, Pennsylvania.
One day I get pulled over by a PA state trooper on the highway. He said my license was suspended. Therefore driving with a suspended license felony. Bull@#!.
It took me several weeks to track that down, contact the courthouse over that s#!T hole place, get papers mailed to me, then mail payment to them and receive mail back to me to send to PenDOT to get my license back up again.
Now for a silly thing, I have that on my record that stops me from getting jobs that require driving. Meanwhile I drive better and safer then many others.
My fault was a tail light burned on a trailer. REALLY, darn desperate small town cops.
That been said, when the state trooper pulled me over, even with my driver license “suspended” he let me go with a warning, instead having to tow it away by law.
I got my things straight, but my record wont be changed for a failed system. Which may stop me from working if jobs are strict with driving record.
Mike says
Hi,
Thanks for your article. I was a Lyft driver for about a year and then was suspended due to a misdemeanor conviction that was on my record. I informed them about the conviction when I applied and they still let me drive for them for a year before terminating my account. I had the conviction expunged from my record in February and have been trying to get my account reactivated. It has been a very difficult process. At first they told me it wouldn’t be a problem, but after dealing with several people at the Lyft Hub in my city they are telling me that my account keeps coming back “flagged”. It’s a little disheartening because I maintained a 5.0 rating the entire time I drove for them and never had any problems. I’m supposed to hear back from them next week with a definitive answer but after reading this article I’m not very encouraged.
Is there anything else I can do to improve my chances of being rehired, such as an appeals process or someone at Lyft corporate that I can try contacting? I feel like if I can make my case to someone in authority that it might improve my chances.
Thanks for your time.
DougH says
Thanks for sharing your story. Sadly all you can do is continue to do what you’ve done. There isn’t any official appeals process and the higher ups simply won’t hear your case. I think as time goes on your chances will go up, particularly because you got the issue expunged. I’d say to stay persistent, and try to contact Lyft a few times a month. Narrow your story down to the essential points so new support reps will be able to pick it up quickly. Then keep trying.
CAPO says
I was driving for uber from 2014 til January 2017 i was disconnected based on minors VIOLATIONS in 2014. I applied at LYFT, I got job after 3 months LYFT disconnected me based on the same record as uber. even though I was told that passed the background check.
in both companies nether got any RIDER complaint,
I got 2 minors in VA in 2014 ,1 in 2016 and 2 minors in M.D.. Can I rehire again
Matthew B says
I had a felony possession of marijuana reduced to a misdemeanor that was eventually dismissed. I was never convicted only charges. Any chance that this will deter me?
Bre says
They are processing me with the same. The told me that it may effect my chances of being hired. Just contact checkr when you get the email. They go by 5 years, so if it’s been over 5 years and you weren’t charged you should be fine.
andrea calabrese says
I just got denied with Uber for having a ticket a few years ago for driving with an expired license after I contacted them a million times because they were taking forever explaining I moved and was busy and didn’t know it was expired never got the thing in the mail. Mind you I got approved by Lyft in under a day. I’ve heard stories from my Uber drivers they got hired with suspended licenses I think it’s all bullshit I think it’s because I’m white and a female because all the drivers I ever had were male and minority sorry I’m not prejudiced just stating facts and trust me I’m going to raise he’ll about this!
DougH says
Driving on an expired license is considered a serious offense. It’s surprising that Lyft accepted you. Try to reapply in 3-6 months.