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
mitchell sims says
I got a consider on my background check for a misdemeanor worthless check was the charge back in 2012 I paid for the check but it doesn’t say that. Do you think they will partner with me or will I be rejected??
Korey Thompson says
I have a poss marijuana 0-2 ounces, guilty. Driving while Intoxicated, dismissed. Resist arrest, dismissed. Resist arrest, convicted. Agg assault causing serious bodily injury, acquitted. FTA, guilty. Illegally parked in handicap, guilty. All from at least 6 years ago nothing violent is on my record. Why didn’t I pass the background check and is there any way to expunge my charges to get into driving?
DougH says
They’ll typically reject people even for arrests, not just convictions. So you’d need all of that expunged in order to get hired.
Mason says
Doug,
I applied to Uber and received my background check from Chekr within a 4-hour span. On my record the following showed up: -1 Speeding ticket with a 5mph over the speed limit (May 9th, 2015), -1 accumulation of 12 points within 3 year period (Nov 28th, 2014), -1 Accident I was involved in on Nov 27th, 2014)
Subsequently, I received a Pre-Adverse Action Notice. Within the email, Uber does state that I am able to reply within 7 days of the notice to provide information of good conduct and or rehabilitation. I will follow up with an email notating that the speeding over 5 I have since changed driving habits within the past 2 years and going on 3. Subsequently, explain that the accumulation of points allowed me to take defensive driving courses in order to rehabilitate my driving efforts and have been free of any tickets and or MVR troubles for the past 2-3 years and onward.
Question: What are my chances? What is your opinion?
DougH says
I don’t think your chances are great. 12 points in 3 years as recently as 2014 is pretty high. But don’t let that stop you from trying.
Iqrar afzal says
Hi..It’s me iqrar Afzal I was driving for uber than some customers complained on me.But I want driving for uber .Please give a one chance I will prove be a good person Please I Request you uber give me one chance please. I’m driving a taxi now but I want to be a uber driver. I didn’t remember much why I’m rejected from uber just give me a chance if you want pay fines for my mistakes for uber but I don’t want to lose my job please help please please just give me one chance
DougH says
Try to reapply. Contact Uber and ask them if you can be reactivated. If there is an office in your area you can go there and ask.
Angela says
I applied last year for Uber and was accepted but didn’t get to do the car inspection due to a air bag light.. I finally got it fixed this month but now I don’t know how to get it inspected… My car is a 06 will it even be accepted now or is it too old…my profile says “active”… so can you help guide me… I got rejected from lyft because the car is too old… Please Help I am desperate for a job…
DougH says
Try to find an activation center. go to uber.com/drive/yourcity, but replace ‘yourcity’ with the name of your city. or google ‘uber driver your city.’ Once you find the page for drivers there should be a link to a list of activation centers.
Eric says
I just applied for Uber, and so far, everything on my background check is fine except for a misdemeanor I had back in 2008 (almost 10 years ago!) for driving without a license.
I got my license back several years ago and haven’t had any tickets nor been pulled over since! In fact, I’ve been a delivery driver for a major delivery company for the past few years.
Do you think Uber will overlook the misdemeanor from almost 10 years ago?
Crossing my fingers that they do…But nervous at the same time…
DougH says
Since you’ve already applied, the best thing you can do is hope for the best. They may look over a 10 year old misdemeanor, but because it’s related to driving it may disqualify you.
Olivia says
I had a minor paraphernalia ticket almost 10 years ago. I had been driving for a year with uber when checkr reran my background and denied me, but I’m still able to drive for lyft. Can I reapply? Should I go into one of Uber’s offices? Expungement for such a minor ticket that occurred almost a decade ago seems like a giant hassle and will be costly.
DougH says
Expunging will be more trouble than it’s worth. You can try reapplying and going in. Regular emails around once/week politely asking to be reactivated can work.