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
Clinton Kirker says
I was just rejected by lyft for a 2 misdemeanors one was 14 years old and one 15 years old. Before I applied, I looked up requirements for lyft and from what I could find, they didn’t look more than 10 years back.
The funny thing is, I’m am commercial truck driver that has to pass criminal background checks before going onto military bases and not one base has ever denied me entry I never imagined that something so old could hurt my ability to make a little extra money when I’m home.
James Wilson says
I can relate to your problem…I have a 37 year old misdemeanor that seems to be keeping me from driving for Lyft or Uber. And like yourself I’ve passed many background checks in order to hold flooring contracts with various schools and government buildings…NEVER having a problem!
Punjabi says
A friend of mine was “rejected” by Uber for low ratings. He did receive a warning initially, and even took the 7×7 course, but apparently wasn’t able to get his ratings up in the allotted time, and was subsequently rejected (deactivated). is there a way/workaround for him to sign up again?
DougH says
He may be able to upload the certificate of complete for the 7×7 course to help.uber.com. There is a support article for it if you search there for ‘7×7’
Paul says
If you fail the DMV, and reapply when things fall off are your chances as low as the background check?
DougH says
Your chances will go up, but you’ll have to be pretty persistent in reapplying because there’s no easy button to click or application to fill out for reapplication. You have to directly contact the companies and ask to reapply.
Gutigp says
That just happened to me, thing fell off, checkr tolld me my ststus was good now, but uber still rejected me, i only work for lyft
CDF says
The only legal history I have is driving related. I got a green light back on my “DMV Check” but I’m still waiting on the “Background Check”. Can I assume that the Background is just a formality at this point, or is the Background also a driving check? Thanks!
DougH says
It is technically two checks, background and driving record. Give the background check a little more time, then try to message Uber if it’s been more than 5 days.
Lily says
I was rejected due to my background check. I have cleaned up my background. Had to get my cases dismissed. Can I re-apply? When I try to log into Lyft the system automatically tells me that they cannot move forward due to my background check. I contacted the company that they use to fix their records to reflect my dismissed status.
What else can I do?
DougH says
They can reject you due to dismissed cases. You’d likely have to get all those issues expunged for Lyft to reconsider.
J says
I had the similar situation where Uber APPROVED me then the company decided to go back on their decision which was absolutely infuriating to say the least. THEY ARE THE ONES who ran the background check and approved me!! Then a few months after they kicked me off! So I spent good time and money and months getting the record expunged and the background check told me just to submit the court documents to them and they would send them to Uber and I shiiid be reinstated. Welllll so far all I’ve gotten was that the background check was accurate when they ran it. Yes of course BACK THEN…but NOW it’s clear!!! I see zero reason why I shouldn’t be allowed to drive and earn a living. And you can NEVER get anyone on the phone or get them to answer an email .
Any suggestions???
DougH says
Sadly there’s no easy fix for this. You might have to wait a few more months before they reconsider you. The entire reapplication process is very unpredictable.
Larry says
2-years ago I got into a heated argument with my wife outside our home. Nosey neighbors called the police and because they felt like someone had to blame, it was me. Then, because she was my wife they classified it as domestic violence. It’s a misdemeanor in the system. Uber accepted me but Lyft sent me an email stating they are “considering” rejecting my application. I’ve had other part-time jobs bring this up and I’ve explained to them the situation and got those jobs. What are your thoughts on my chances?
DougH says
If they’re ‘considering,’ it usually means you’re rejected. You can try to reapply using the steps in this article, but you’ll have to wait.
J. Williams says
Hello. I have a very close friend who’s employment application was rejected/declined by Uber. The results/reason for denial came in the mail recently from Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). The results in CORI were a driving incident that happened 27 years ago. It was NOT DUI, Drugs or criminal intent, it was distracted driving where he loss control of his car. He lost his license for 7 years and served probation for 2 years. He has satisfied all requirements due to this accident. His license was reinstated and he has NOT had any type of DMV violations since then. His drivers record is CLEAN other than that incident. He is relocating to the state of Maryland and needs employment. This has prevented him from being employed Is there a way he can reapply and have his application reconsidered? I look forward to your response. Thank you!!
DougH says
You can ask the companies to reconsider, but that’s about it.