Requirements to drive with Uber: Do you qualify?

Driving with Uber is a great way to earn a flexible income on your own schedule.

But if you visit Uber.com to learn how to get started, you won’t find much detailed information about all the requirements to sign up.

This guide has the full details about every requirement to drive with Uber so you can get through the application process without any confusion or delays.

Article Contents

• Driver Requirements: Complete List
• The Steps to Become a Driver
• Age and Driver’s License Requirements
• Background Check and Driving Record Check
• Vehicle Requirements
• Vehicle Inspection
• Insurance & Registration Requirements

Steps to becoming a driver: The process from beginning to end

1. Sing up in the Uber driver app or at Uber.com
2. Upload all requested documents: Driver’s license, vehicle info
3. Consent to background screening and wait for Uber’s decision – Takes up to 10 days
4. Uber will notify you when your driver account is activated
5. Once activated, you will be able to enable driver mode in the Uber Driver app
6. Contact Uber support if you get stuck or have questions

You can check the status of your application by signing into the Uber driver app. During the application process, you will see a checklist of requirements and steps you need to take to complete your application.

If more than 10 days have gone by since you began the background screening process, contact support to ask for an update.

More about age requirements and driver’s license history to drive with Uber

You must be 21 years old or older to be eligible for Uber, and you must have at least one full year of driver’s license history in the United States.

Drivers must have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the US, or 3 years if you are under 25 years old.

Uber does not count international driving experience. Even if you’ve driven internationally for many years, Uber still requires a US license for at least one full year.

• Too young for Uber? Try these other driving jobs

You might need to submit proof of licensing history if your license was recently issued. Uber or Checkr may ask you to send additional documents if they need more info about your licensing history.

You can submit a previous driver’s license, previous driver’s license number, or a motor vehicle report (MVR) issued by the DMV.

More about the Uber background check and driving record check

Each applicant must undergo background screening that looks at your criminal history and driving record.

The background check screens for criminal activity. Uber mentions felony convictions, violent crimes, and sexual offenses as examples of criminal background issues that will disqualify you from driving.

For your driving record, Uber is looking for no major driving violations (driving with a suspended license, DUI), and no more than 3 minor violations (speeding tickets, minor moving violations) in the past several years.

How long does the background check take? Typically 3–10 days. Watch for updates and contact support if more than 10 days have passed.

Does Uber drug test drivers? No, Uber does not require drivers to take a drug test.

Does Uber do a credit history check? No, Uber does not perform a credit check.

• Will you pass the Uber background check?
• Can you drive with Uber if you’re not a US citizen?
• Rejected by Uber? How to reapply

Vehicle requirements: You can drive with Uber with these cars

Uber generally accepts vehicles that are 15 years old or newer, but local regulations in some cities may require a newer vehicle.

The vehicle must have 4 doors and at least 5 seatbelts to accommodate at least 4 passengers.

You can use a 2-door vehicle for Uber Eats deliveries, but you must use a 4-door vehicle to drive passengers.

You can drive with Uber with any car, truck, SUV, minivan, or vehicle that meets the requirements. The only vehicle types that aren’t allowed are full-size vans and vehicles with commercial markings.

Search our full list of model year requirements to see the oldest vehicle you can use in your area.

Uber will not accept vehicles with a salvage title or ‘restored’ title.

And for those with older cars: Uber never accepts vehicles older than the model year requirement, even if the vehicle is in excellent condition.

More vehicle details here: Uber vehicle requirements: Does your car qualify?

Use Uber’s vehicle search tool to see the vehicle requirements in your city

The vehicle search tool at Uber.com will show you which vehicles are eligible in your city.

You can see a complete list of vehicles, the oldest model year allowed, and the Uber ride types each vehicle qualifies for.

How to sign up without a car

If you don’t currently have access to a vehicle that qualifies for Uber, you can sign up to drive first and get a car later.

When you sing up, select the “I need a car” option. That way, you can go through the background screening process, and if you’re approved to drive, you can figure out how to access a car.

• How to rent a car for Uber
• See every EV rental option on Uber

The vehicle inspection

Your vehicle will have to undergo an inspection to ensure that your vehicle is safe for passengers.

Note: Not every city requires a vehicle inspection before you start driving. 

You can do the inspection at an Uber inspection location or a state-licensed auto repair facility.

After you sign up, Uber will link you to any Uber inspection facilities in your area or give you further instructions on how to get an inspection from an independent shop.

The inspection may be free or low cost at some inspection locations or around $30 if you have it done at a local auto repair shop.

The inspection covers the condition of your tires, brakes, lights, seat belts, and other safety features.

• How to pass the vehicle inspection, and how to find an activation center
• The inspection form (PDF) – See what the inspection covers

Follow instructions from Uber during the application process to find out when you need to have your vehicle inspected.

Vehicle insurance & registration requirements

Uber will ask you to upload photos or PDF copies of your auto insurance card and the vehicle’s license plate or registration card.

The vehicle that you use to drive for Uber does not need to be registered in your name, but you must be a named driver on the insurance card or insurance policy declaration.

• Insurance documents: You must provide copies of your vehicle’s insurance card and/or insurance declaration page with your name listed on the document
• Registration documents: You must provide a photo of the vehicle’s license plates or registration card. Your name does not need to be on the registration card

Can you use temporary registration (paper plates)?

Uber accepts temporary registration documents in most cities, but you may have problems getting them approved by Uber support.

Personal auto insurance requirements: Must meet the state minimum

When you sign up to drive, Uber will ask you to upload proof of personal auto insurance coverage that meets your state minimum requirements.

Uber does not require that you have a rideshare-friendly auto insurance policy, but many personal policies won’t cover you if they find out that you are driving for Uber.

We recommend shopping for a rideshare-friendly policy to protect yourself from any gaps in your coverage.

You may find rideshare policies are available as add-ons for an extra charge of only ~$25 per month.

• See which insurance companies offer rideshare insurance in your state

Uber provides auto insurance coverage for drivers

Uber provides auto insurance that covers drivers, but the level of coverage depends on different driving scenarios at the time of an accident.

• The driver app is turned off: Uber provides no insurance. Your personal policy covers you
• The driver app is on and you aren’t matched with a passenger: Uber provides limited liability insurance
• Matched with a passenger and up until drop off: Uber offers a $1 million liability policy and contingent collision coverage

What is the collision insurance deductible for Uber?

Uber offers contingent collision coverage with a deductible of $2,500.

Continent coverage means you will only receive collision coverage if you also maintain collision coverage on your personal policy.

Uber’s contingent collision coverage policy is applied when you are matched with a passenger until you drop them off.

Uber’s Terms of Service and other policies

Uber will send you the Terms of Service and other Policy documents that you need to read and agree to before you can be activated as a driver.

The documents you have to sign may be different depending on the state you’re in, so keep an eye on your driver app to see if there are any documents you need to sign.

The TOS outlines your legal relationship with Uber, the deactivation policy, and any other state-specific policies that you will be subject to.

Other local requirements

Some cities require all for-hire drivers to comply with special regulations and requirements.

Local requirements could be a business license, a special placard for your car, or a different vehicle inspection process.

Uber will let you know about special local requirements during the application process.

How to send documents to Uber

The best way to share documents with Uber is to take a picture of the document with your smartphone and upload it using the Uber driver app.

Make sure the image is clear, with strong lighting and all text in focus.

You can also upload a PDF version of the document, which may be useful if you have a PDF copy of your insurance card or registration.

How to sign up at an in-person Hub

In many cities, Uber has in-person offices and support hubs where drivers can sign up to drive or get help with issues.

If you’re having trouble signing up online or prefer to sign up in person, learn how to find an in-person Uber office.

How do you start giving rides?

Once your driver account is active, you can log into the Uber Driver app and turn on driver mode.

Uber has instructional videos in the app and on Youtube that will show you how to accept a ride request, how to navigate to the passenger, and how to correctly perform a ride.

Ride requests will appear on the screen, and you can accept or reject them.

In many cities, the ride request will tell you upfront how much the ride will pay and the passenger’s destination.

After you accept a request, navigate to your passenger’s location. Pick them up, then follow the navigation to their drop-off location.