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!
Benjamin Lawrence Edwards says
It says uber will consider hiring some non-violent felons depending on what the offense was.
Do they hire people who were convicted of felony fraud? I hope not. That’s non-violent but still…potential for shady malarkey there.
Also how ofter does uber verify that the drivers license is valid? I know yellow cab of Iowa city doesn’t do this or at least I don’t think they do because they had one of their assistant managers driving a cab while his license had been revoked due to a dwi. (….and that particular person who occasionally handled card numbers also had fraud convictions, however he was a personal friend of the manager I guess who apparently didn’t care.)
I laugh because they complain about how I uber is unsafe….and yet look who they have working for them. Lol
Christian Fuentes says
Do you know how to contact them
DougH says
Yes. Here’s how drivers can contact Uber.
Andrew says
I received my chekr background report. The only adverse thing on report was 29 years ago I was convicted of a misdemeanor driving while ability impaired, DWAI, in December of 1988 in New York. I thought they would only go back 7 years. Will they deny me because of this?
DougH says
They look back as far as they can but typically only consider issues ~7 years old when they make their decision. If that’s the only blemish on your record I think you have a chance.
Matthew says
I really appreciate this information. Do you have a source document with Uber’s general requirements? I’m an attorney and have a client with an issue. It would be helpful to have something published in black and white from Uber.
DougH says
Head to help.uber.com. Click ‘for partners,’ then search for ‘background check.’ You should find an article entitled ‘what does the background check include?’ I didn’t directly link it here because Uber changes the link dynamically based on the location you enter into help.uber.com.
LindaS says
What if you have an expungement for DUI? Do you have to state that on your application? It’s been the last 5 years, and less than 10 years
DougH says
If it’s fully expunged you shouldn’t have to say anything. Cause that means it’s entirely off your record.
adam says
I passed Uber and DoorDash. Lyft said no because when I applied a few years ago there was something not job related on there. Apparently that’s a ban for life. Postmates said no because they looked back more than seven years and saw a charge I had for using my roommate’s computer without her permission. It was 2009. I did my probation, had no issues since, but apparently that has everything to do with delivering food for them. Does my roommate work for them or something?
Alfonso says
my profile says waitlisted , probably cause I have a petti theft on my record that I didn’t know of cause it was dismissed in the courts. I seen that since November 2016 they were allowing non – violent folines . When my case isn’t even a felony i applied Tuesday should I be worried?
DougH says
There is some reason to worry. They can deny you for just about anything. Try to contact them and ask for a final decision.