Did you know that in most states, all vehicles on the Uber app must pass an inspection before the driver can begin taking rides?
So if you’re thinking about driving with Uber, be ready to get your car inspected!
You can get an inspection at an Uber location, an independent mechanic, or do a video chat inspection.
What you need to know
- Uber requires a vehicle inspection in many states
- The inspection typically costs $20–$40
- View and download the inspection form (PDF)
- The Uber driver app has a list of inspection locations
- You can also do the inspection at any state-certified mechanic
Find vehicle inspection options in the Uber driver app: Tap Menu > Account > Documents > Vehicle Inspection > Find an inspection center.
Want to drive with Uber? Apply here!
Read on to learn what to expect from a vehicle inspection and how to look for free & cheap options.
Article contents
- Basics of the Uber vehicle inspection
- How to find a free inspection
- Get a video chat inspection
- Find & download the inspection form
- Inspection points: What the inspection looks for
- How to get one inspection for Uber & Lyft
Uber vehicle inspection basics
In most cities, Uber requires a yearly vehicle inspection at a state-certified auto repair facility or an Uber inspection location.
The Uber vehicle inspection looks at the condition of safety features like tires, brakes, lights, seatbelts, glass, and others. View the inspection form to see what the inspection covers.
Uber does not require a vehicle inspection for Uber Eats.
The top 4 ways to get an inspection
- Visit an Uber Greenlight Hub (~$20)
- Get a video chat inspection with RMI ($15)
- Go to an independent mechanic (~$30)
- In states that require a yearly inspection, upload the state inspection form or sticker
How to find vehicle inspection locations
In the Uber driver app, tap Menu > Account > Documents > Vehicle Inspection > Find an inspection center.
Go to Documents > Vehicle inspections to find local options
Not all cities require a vehicle inspection
You may find that your city doesn’t require a vehicle inspection. If that’s the case, continue driving and only get an inspection if Uber asks you to get one.
Some cities require a vehicle inspection in your first 30 days as an active driver, so it’s also possible that you’ll be able to get on the road before you get an inspection.
If your state requires a yearly inspection, Uber may accept a valid inspection sticker or form
Many US states require a yearly or periodic inspection for all vehicles. If you are in a state that requires inspections, you may be able to use the inspection sticker or inspection form to satisfy Uber’s inspection requirement.
Watch out for emails and app messages from Uber for more information about the exact requirements in your state.
How to get an Uber inspection at Uber Greenlight Hubs & participating locations
In many larger cities, Uber provides discounted inspections at ‘Greenlight Hubs‘ and local auto shop chains.
How to find a free vehicle inspection
In the Uber driver app, tap Menu > Account > Documents > Vehicle Inspection > Find an inspection center.
You will find a list of official Uber locations and independent auto shops. Uber locations usually offer a low-cost option that is generally around $20.
Scroll through the independent mechanics to find nearby inspection locations. You might get lucky and find a shop offering free promotional inspections.
In my case, I found a free inspection at a local Pep Boys. Your experience may vary.
You might find a free option in the list of local mechanics
Video inspection options with RMI
RMI video chat inspections are cheap and convenient
In some locations, Uber offers video chat inspections through RMI. RMI inspections cost around $15.
After you schedule an inspection, an RMI associate will call you via video chat and lead you through an inspection. They will ask you to walk around the car to show them the condition of your vehicle.
If your vehicle passes, RMI will email you a photo of the completed inspection form. Upload the photo to your documents portal and wait for approval.
Video inspections are a convenient way to get an inspection wherever you want, without traveling to a mechanic or printing out any forms.
The only potential drawback of an RMI inspection is that it may only qualify for Uber. Lyft may not accept the form.
How to download the Uber inspection form
If you choose to do your inspection with an independent mechanic, you will need to print out the inspection form and bring it to the inspection.
Below is a PDF copy of the inspection form:
Uber can also send you the inspection form inside the driver app.
Request a copy of the inspection form from Uber: While using the “Find an inspection center” feature, tap on any independent mechanic, then tap “Get inspection form” at the bottom of the page.
Uber will email you a copy of your form to the email address associated with your driver account.
Get a form copy by tapping on any independent mechanic, then tap “Get inspection form”
How to upload a completed inspection form
To upload a completed inspection form, go to Account > Documents > Vehicle Inspection > ‘I’ve completed my inspection’
Follow the instructions to take a photo of the form, then upload it. It typically takes Uber only a few hours to approve your form. If it takes longer, contact support.
More reading for Uber drivers
Vehicle inspection points
Here’s what the inspection looks for:
- Headlights, tail lights, stop lights, turn signal indicators
- Tire tread depth
- Brake pad/shoe thickness
- Interior and exterior rear-view mirrors
- Emergency brake/parking brake
- Steering mechanism
- Windshield glass, windshield wipers, window glass
- Seatbelts for driver and passengers
- Doors open/close/lock
- Front seat adjustment
- Horn & speedometer
- Condition of bumpers
Can you pass the inspection if your car has body & paint damage?
Uber doesn’t accept vehicles with major body damage, panels with mismatched paint, or missing pieces.
A good rule of thumb is anything bigger than a baseball-sized dent could disqualify your car.
But if you read closely, the inspection forms do not leave clear guidelines specifying exactly how much damage is acceptable.
Most inspectors are concerned with mechanical safety features and will overlook body damage unless there is significant damage to safety features like bumpers and exterior mirrors.
So you may be able to pass an inspection with body damage, but passengers might give you bad ratings or complain to Uber.
Your car can pass an inspection with damage, but passenger reports can put your account on hold
After a while, driving with a damaged car is likely to lead to deactivation.
How to get one vehicle inspection for both Uber and Lyft
If you are active on both Uber and Lyft, you’ll need to keep inspections up to date for both apps.
You can try to use an Uber inspection for Lyft or a Lyft inspection for Uber, but there’s no guarantee that either company will accept an inspection form from the other.
Going to two inspections and paying twice is a hassle, but there is a way to get one inspection that works for both Uber and Lyft.
Go to an independent mechanic to get both forms filled out at the same time
You can have an independent mechanic fill out the Uber & Lyft forms at the same time.
The inspections are nearly identical, so most mechanics are happy to fill out both forms for you at little or no extra charge.
If you go to an Uber inspection location, there’s a chance that the inspector will use a phone or tablet to complete the inspection and won’t provide a paper form. Without the paper form, you’ll have to get a separate inspection for Lyft.
Can you fill out your own forms? Faking the inspection
Some drivers go the dishonest route by filling out their own inspection form without actually getting an inspection.
Many say that they get away with it, but it’s considered fraudulent behavior and you risk deactivation if Uber finds out.
Many drivers have been deactivated for uploading fraudulent documents. Faking your forms isn’t worth it if you rely on the money you earn from Uber.
What to do if your car doesn’t pass an inspection
If your car doesn’t pass the inspection, correct the issue and go back to redo the inspection.
The inspection only covers the most basic roadworthiness of a car, so if your car fails, it’s probably not safe to drive anyways!
Nimrod says
I do believe you will need a new car come 2017.
However, if you show you use it for work, and have a proveable income from it, you should have little trouble securing a loan.
As for the other persons tires, 8/32″ converted to metric is 6.25mm while the 4 one might pass I believe the others will fail. Maybe like other poster suggested you can get a shop to take the job on credit understanding it will enable you to start driving and make extra money.
Frank says
I was under the impression that the Uber inspection rejected a car with practically any visible blemishes, is that not true? I do my own mechanical repairs so that’s all good, but I thought I would never get past the inspection phase due to fading paint and a small crumple in my rear bumper. Is it really just the mechanical stuff that gets inspected?
DougH says
If you get your car inspected at a mechanic, they don’t typically look too harshly on cosmetic wear and damage, but if you get inspected at one of Uber’s sign up tents (usually in parking lots at gas stations), they may exclude you for badly faded paint or a large (larger than fist) size dent.
Frank says
Hey DougH, you answered my earlier post, Thanks! But the weird thing is that I took the plunge and signed up with Uber using my 2003 Kia, thing is they approved me and I can now go online anytime I want and start working…no request for an inspection! Ever heard of that? I’m not complaining, but I thought everybody had to have one?
Rachael says
Were you able to drive without the inspection? I am able to go online and have not submitted/done my inspection and wanna know if it is needed first?
Thanks!
OC Autoworks says
We are a full service repair shop in San Clemente, CA and interested in being approved for vehicle inspections…looking for wisdom!
jay bacchus says
To say I’ve lost a little sleep this month about Uber and Lyft here in Detroit ….well, that’s probably an understatement. Started out with application to Uber and most recently have become ramped up over Lyft.
First question is the inspection. I just bought an ’06 Prius in good condition, 60,000 miles) for this use. I had my dealer fill out the Rasier inspection form for me. This, in addition to the delivery inspection that had already been done on the car. Will the Rasier be acceptable to Lyft? All of this this has been completed in the past week. Post written Sunday, 6/14,15. Equally important, if I still need a fresh Lyft inspection, does Lyft have it’s own recommended shops? Where are they located in the Detroit area. What’s the likely charge?
I do have apprehension about the pink mustache. My biggest concern is that I may be mugged by aggressive taxi drivers.
James says
I’m about to go get my car inspected, but I’m concerned about the pads and tread aspect of it. I inspected my car myself today and my tread read as 3.45mm, 3.5mm, 3.8mm, and 4.5mm. All of which are by factory and legal guidelines fine for another 10k miles or so, but Uber probably wanting the most safety possible I’m guessing that I’ll need much better than what I have. What is the liklihood that I would pass? I also measured my brakepads and they measure between 4.1mm and 7mm (primary and secondary). I have absolutely no problem with getting these fixed except for the simple fact that I can’t afford it, and planned on replacing all of these issues with my first few checks. I just don’t think I’m going to get to those checks without replacing the upcoming due maintenance in advance. Thoughts? By the way- this is a 2012 Ford Focus. It has about 38000 miles on it because I used to travel for work.
DougH says
Hi James, thanks for your comment. As you said, your brake measurements are up to factory and legal guidelines. If you check out my picture of the Uber Inspection Form
, you’ll notice that the person who inspects your car has to first write the manufacturer’s minimum brake measurement, then record your brake measurements. After a quick searched I learned that most manufactures cite a minimum of 2-3mm, so it looks like you exceed the minimum. I think you should pass.
BUT…I can’t say for sure whether Uber goes with the manufacturer’s minimum or something higher because Uber doesn’t publish that information.
Here’s what you can do: Take the $20 inspection and see if you pass. If you do, great! If you don’t pass, you might be able to get the brake job done on credit. Take the test again, pass, and start driving.
Think about it this way…you need new brake pads whether you drive for Uber or not. That means you’ll only be paying $20 – $40 to start driving for Uber, which isn’t bad at all.
Andy says
Yes you will need to buy a newer car n i know i had to buy a second car because my truck is 2 big
Mark says
Thanks for your guide.
Question: if Uber requires a car that is at least 10 years old, my 2006 vehicle qualifies today but it will be older than 10 years in 2017. Does that mean I have to buy another car (at least a 2007 model) a couple of years from now?
Thank you.
jeff says
i had the same question, hope not.