If you want to drive with Uber or deliver for Uber Eats, you must undergo a background check that looks into your criminal history and driving record.
Uber can reject your application if your background doesn’t meet the current screening criteria!
Read on to learn how the background check works and what issues in your background or driving record might prevent you from getting accepted by Uber.
Article Contents
- What is the Uber Background Check?
- Criteria for the Criminal Background Check
- Criteria for the Driving Record Check (MVR)
- Background Check FAQ
Overview of the Uber background check
All Uber and Uber Eats applicants must undergo a background check to be eligible to drive. It is a screening procedure that uses public records to examine your criminal history and driving record.
After you consent to the background check and provide your social security number (SSN), a third-party background check company (Checkr) looks at public records and delivers a report to Uber.
After reviewing the results of your background screening, Uber will accept or reject your application. The background check is free and Uber does not run a credit check.
Uber also periodically re-runs your background check, typically once per year. You can be deactivated if Uber finds new violations on your record.
Uber & Uber Eats Background Check and Driving Record Check Requirements
Note: Criteria is subject to local laws. Different states may have different background standards.
Your criminal background must meet these conditions:
- No serious crimes such as murder, sexual assault, terrorism-related offenses
- No convictions for a felony, violent crime, or sexual offenses
- Some non-violent felony convictions may be accepted
- Pending charges can be disqualifying until the charges are resolved in your favor
Your motor vehicle report must meet these conditions:
- A minimum of 1 year of licensed driving history in the U.S.
- Age 24 and under: At least 3 years licensed driving experience
- International driving experience doesn’t count
- A clean Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) with no more than 3 incidents in recent history
- No DUIs and no reckless driving
- California Uber drivers must not have a DUI in the last 10 years.
- No speeding violations for driving 20 mph or greater over the speed limit in recent history
- Uber does not perform a credit check
Source: Help.uber.com
Want to apply? Sign up with Uber here
Left: The background check consent. Right: The message you see while your check is in progress
The background check looks at these records
- County courthouse records for every county of residence
- Federal courthouse records
- The multi-state criminal database
- Motor Vehicle Records
- Social Security Trace
- National Sex Offender Registry
How often does Uber do background checks?
In most states, Uber runs a background check once each year. Uber might also run a new background check if the background standards have changed recently or to comply with a new local law.
There is no set date for the yearly background check, so it’s hard to predict when the next background check will happen.
Uber renews your background check at least once each year
How long does it take to complete the Uber background check?
The background check typically takes around 2–10 days to complete. If you haven’t received an update from Uber after 7 days, contact Uber and Checkr for more information.
How to check the status of your background check
Visit the Checkr candidate portal to view the status of your background check. If the report is complete, the next step is to wait for a decision from Uber.
Check the status of your report at the Checkr candidate portal
You can also check the status of your account in the Uber Driver app. Log in and look for any notices from Uber.
If you need to take action, you will see something like “There are a few steps you need to complete,” with a checklist of things to do.
Check your background check status in the Uber Driver app
If the driver app says that your background check is ‘pending’ or ‘pending approval,’ it means that Checkr is still completing your background check or Uber is still examining the report.
If the status is still pending after 3–5 days, contact Uber for an update and visit your Checkr candidate portal.
When your background check is pending, the driver app displays this status screen
If the status on Checkr says ‘consider,’ it means that a potentially disqualifying issue was flagged on your background or motor vehicle record. Uber will have to ‘consider’ that issue.
Unfortunately, seeing ‘consider’ on your Checkr report is a signal that Uber may reject your application.
‘Consider’ is usually bad news for your application. It means a potentially disqualifying issue was flagged
How far back does the driving record check look?
Uber does not say precisely how far back the background check goes. Each state may have different background checks regulations, making it hard to state a general number.
In the past, Uber said that their criteria was “no major violations within the last 7 years,” but they no longer publish a specific number.
Uber may renew your background check every year, or more
Uber performs a yearly background check to see if you’ve collected any new criminal or driving violations. Uber might also re-run your background check if the background requirements in your area have changed.
Even if you pass the first background check, you’ll have to pass it every year to continue driving.
An app notice for a background check refresh
What to do if you get deactivated after a background check
Uber may deactivate your account if they find a new issue on your background check that violates their current standards.
There isn’t a way to directly appeal the decision, but you can contact Uber support and ask them to reconsider.
If the deactivation was due to an error in the background check, you can dispute the background check results by contacting Checkr.
Social Security Number (SSN) issues
Some applicants or existing drivers may see this message: “We recently discovered a potential issue with the Social Security Number you provide when you signed up to drive or deliver. Please submit proof of your SSN and a secondary form of identification if you want to continue driving.”
You might receive that message if there is conflicting information in your records or identity theft concerns that are connected to the SSN. Your account will be placed on hold until you upload the requested documents.
Some drivers run into issues with their SSN. Upload more documents to clear the hold
HireRight: Incidents on Uber can be reported to Lyft
Both Uber and Lyft partner with a consumer reporting agency called HireRight that monitors and report issues that occur on either app.
Through HireRight, Uber and Lyft can communicate with each other about serious safety incidents. It is called the Industry Sharing Safety Program.
If you are involved in a serious incident on Lyft, HireRight can report the incident to Uber. And if the incident took place on Uber, HireRight can report it to Lyft.
That means that you can be deactivated from both platforms from one incident!
An incident on Lyft can be reported to Uber through HireRight
The Uber driving record (MVR) check: Full details & criteria
Uber evaluates your driving record by running motor vehicle report (MVR). Uber doesn’t provide complete details on the exact criteria for the driving record check, but they do offer some guidelines.
Uber states, “Your driver’s license must be active and free of disqualifying restrictions. Major driving violations or a recent history of multiple minor driving violations, including but not limited to no-fault accidents, may result in disqualification.”
Drivers license history: One year if 25+, 3 years if 24 or younger
Uber requires one year of licensing history in the US if you are 25 or older, and 3 years if you are 24 and under.
Learner’s permit experience does not count toward your one year of licensing history.
Uber does not count international driving experience when they examine your background, so even if you have extensive foreign driving experience, you will still need one year of US licensing history.
Uber and Checkr might need additional documents to verify your license history if your license was recently issued.
You’ll get an email from Checkr asking for a previous driver’s license, driver’s license number, or a motor vehicle report from the DMV. Promptly provide those documents to ensure that the screening process can continue.
Major driving violations that can disqualify you
Uber says they won’t accept drivers with any ‘major violations.’
Major violations include:
- DUI, DWI, wet reckless, or anything related to drinking or drugs and driving
- Driving on a suspended license
- Reckless driving
- Hit and run
- Fleeing an officer
- Use of a vehicle to commit a felony
Minor driving violations that can disqualify you
Minor driving violations are moving violations that result in small tickets or warnings.
Generally, Uber may reject you if you have 3 or more minor violations on your record in the last several years.
Some minor violations include:
- Speeding
- Failure to yield
- Illegal U-turn
- Improper passing
- Disobeying a traffic light
- Driving with expired registration tags
Does Uber look at points against your license?
There’s no indication that Uber directly looks at points against your license in their driving record criteria. Instead, they examine the violations on your record.
Uber doesn’t have a system that accepts you if you have x or fewer license points and rejects you if you have more than x license points.
States have different point systems, and others don’t have point systems at all, so Uber only considers the specific violations that are on your record.
Does Uber look at pending criminal or driving issues?
If an issue appears on your record—even a pending issue—Uber can count it against you.
That means that if you are still in the process of dealing with a criminal issue, Uber can count it against you when they evaluate your record.
Here’s a quote from help.uber.com: “Pending charges for those categories of crimes are also disqualifying, unless and until such charges are resolved in your favor.”
Rejected by Uber due to your background? Can you reapply?
It’s possible—but difficult—to reapply to Uber if they reject you due to your background.
Check out our in-depth guide on finding out why you were rejected, and the steps you can take to reapply.
Uber Background Check FAQ
How long does the background check take to complete?
Uber says it takes 3–5 days, but that time frame may vary depending on the number of driver applications Uber and their background check partner are dealing with. Most drivers report that it takes around 2–10 days.
“My background check is taking forever. What should I do?”
You can check the status of your background check at the Checkr candidate portal. If Checkr has completed the report, you are waiting on Uber to make a decision. Contact Uber if there is further delay.
“I am accused of a crime, but my case is still pending. Does Uber see pending charges?”
Pending charges show up on your background check, so Uber can use that information. Pending charges are a common reason for rejection.
“Uber rejected me due to my background. Can I reapply?”
It is possible to apply again in 3–6 months, but depending on why you were rejected, you may be unable to reapply. Learn more about how to reapply to Uber.
“My background check is incorrect or incomplete. How can I dispute it?”
You can dispute your background check by emailing [email protected]. Uber will not review the details of your screening with you, so always go to Checkr first.
Will you pass the background check? A trick to find out
Hundreds of commenters have come to us with all sorts of legal scenarios and wonder if they will pass the background check.
Nobody other than Uber can say whether you’ll pass, but generally speaking, you should pass if your criminal history has been clean for the past 10 years or so, and if your driving record doesn’t have any major issues.
Here’s a trick to help you find out if you’ll pass without applying.
Apply to delivery Gigs. They have similar hiring standards
Other on-demand companies like DoorDash use the same background check company as Uber—Checkr—to run your background check, and many of the gig apps have similar background standards.
If you’re not sure that Uber will accept you, and if you don’t want to risk your one chance of applying, apply to DoorDash first.
If DoorDash rejects you, Uber likely will reject you as well. And if they accept you, there’s a strong chance that Uber will accept you too.
Don’t have a car? You can still apply and do background screening
If you want to do the background check before figuring out how to get a car, visit the Uber application and select “I need a car.”
When you select “I need a car, “you can do the background screening without entering vehicle information.
If you pass the background check, Uber will refer you to their rental car options, but you can get a car however you want.
Will you pass? The only way to find out is to apply!
Nobody can tell you for sure if Uber will accept you or not. The background check is free, so there’s no harm in trying. Apply and see what happens!
Ali says
From what I am reading, it seems that ‘CONSIDER’is a death sentence. I’m still waiting on them to review my background from Check’r but I got a copy of my background report from Check’r and it says ‘CONSIDER’ with a violation VIOLATE RULES/REGS MOTOR VEHICLE CODE (STATUTE: 75 | 6502 || B) in 2018. I had to Google it and apparently it is a common motor vehicle violation that you can plead to in order to avoid points on a speeding ticket. Does that mean I’m screwed? I don’t even understand why that is showing up on my background check and not my motor vehicle check but its been a few days since I got that from Check’r and Uber still says pending. Should I assume that since it says ‘consider’ I will be denied and it doesn’t matter why? Should I try with LYFT or will I face the same issue? Appreciate any help!
Doug H says
Usually ‘consider’ is a bad sign. But if that is the only issue on your record, there may be a chance that they accept you. There’s not much you can do other than wait, then try to message Uber if they don’t update your profile in the next few days. As you said, you can always try Lyft or delivery apps.
K Taylor says
I failed the Uber Background check because of my criminal history – an OWI from 12 years ago when I was in my early twenties. No new offenses, tickets, or violations since.
Uber does not ‘consider’ any of the factors in regards to items that are flagged as ‘consider’. They refused to take any factors into consideration, despite my several attempts to make them do so. I was told over and over, ‘you are not eligible to access the app due to the results of your criminal background check’.
It doesn’t matter how much time has passed, if the offense was violent or nonviolent, the age of the applicant at the time of the offense, if the applicant completed the terms of their sentence, or the state which the offense took place (some states never remove anything from circuit court record databases).
Certain things are automatically flagged as ‘consider’ – which is a death sentence to your Uber career.
Nicole says
Uber did a background check without my authorization and they did the background check when I was appealing a deactivation due to a vehicle inspection form that there saying was falsified but wasn’t. My mechanic and I didn’t have an updated form and no way of printing one at the time so I had the form from last year and he used whiteout then updated the information. I then wanted to make sure that this form would be ok to use and I went on the uber chat to ask and the person I was chatting with didn’t understand my question so I ended up uploading the form and that was a mistake because then I was told in the chat that they don’t allow forms that have been altered so I went back to my mechanic with the updated form I had printed and resubmitted the form. Uber had suspended my account and when I went back on the Uber chat that is when I found out my account was suspended. I was told that Uber had sent me a email and in that email I could appeal the suspension. I never received the email from Uber. I told the person I was chatting with that I never got the email so she sent the appeal on my behalf. I told her I wanted to appeal it in my own words and she assured me that Uber will be able to read what I had said about the situation and it will be included in my appeal. I was not ok with that but couldn’t do anything about it. That’s when Uber decided to do a background check. I was never notified by Uber that they were doing a background check and I never agreed to them doing one at that time. I found out about the background check from the company that does the background check. Uber sent me a email stating that my account was deactivated due to the vehicle inspection form they felt that it was falsified. Nothing on the form is false. The information is correct and was completed by my mechanic. How can I get help with this to get my account reactivated. This is my only income. Please advise
Jonathan says
I’ve been waiting for the “vehicle registration” approval. Everything has passed and yet I still can’t get a straight answer from them. I’m a U.S. Navy veteran and a current a U.S. Merchant Marine on an Arctic research vessel. I just want some side work due to the economy. Apparently, Uber doesn’t respect veterans. Maybe I’m reacting too quickly, but I’ve been waiting on approval for over 3 weeks. I received my TWIC card and MMC in less time. Thinking if maybe I should go the LYFT route. Does anyone know of these issues?
Doug H says
You should go the Lyft route. And the delivery app route. Unfortunately problems like the one you are experiencing are common, so it ‘s a good idea to diversify your apps. Try to contact Uber and pressure them for an update, but in the mean time, try other apps.
De’Marco says
I’m trying to re sign up for Uber I was told they would get back to me it’s been over a month
Demontrey Gaston says
Taking longer than expected to drive with Uber and I have a clean criminal and driving record
Julie Burnett says
Has Uber changed their background policies with rideshare crimes that have occurred? DANG! Reading some of the comments above, I hope so. Definitely taking longer to get all approved than when I drove pre covid over 1 year ago. Great info! Thanks.