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!
Tanya says
If my car has a little bit of paint off upfront due to fender bender, will this disqualify me from passing inspection?
Also my car is Mazda 6 with the mileage about 98k. Does the mileage matter?
DougH says
The mileage doesn’t matter. The damage might matter if it’s noticeable from around 5 feet away.
Trish says
Any idea how I can become a pre-approved auto shop for vehicle inspections? There are no activation centers anywhere around this city (Oldsmar, FL) and I cannot find a working lead to get in touch with Uber.
DougH says
Try ubermovement.com. Enter the closest city and you should find some inspection centers listed there. I’m not sure how you area works, but here in CA all shops who are state-approved can do the inspection.
Sam says
Pass mentor car inspection with lyft. Then went for mechanical inspection at a registered inspection site then realise my 2009 car has a reputation recall . Took the car to toyota and I was told there is no solution for the recall as of now..the recall problem is that passenger side airback might malfuquestion incase of collision. I’m already activated and I have the city permit in dallas as well. Can I still drive while waiting for a solution from toyota .can I drive for uber too
DougH says
Are you saying that the recall issue made you fail the mechanical inspection? If that’s the case, then I’m not sure what you can do next because there’s no fix for the issue. But if you passed the inspection, you can drive.
Anthony says
I was just approved this afternoon and hadnt gone through an inspection yet. I plan to get one done, I have a 2015 Chevy Implala with less than 30K miles. Since today is my first day approved and a Friday, I am eager to grt out and try. Can I drive and submit a passed inspection within the first 30 days or do I need it before I start?
DougH says
Try to sign on and see what happens. But I recommend doing that inspection asap.
John says
Hi, I had a nail taken out of a tire a the mechanic said my tires were getting low on thread, it was at a tire place so they were trying to sell me some. But my question is what is the allowable thread wear for tires in Chicago ?
Also I’m able to go online, can I go and drive without getting the inspection
Thanks
DougH says
I’m not sure of the exact measurement, but the rule of thumb is to put a penny into the tread with Lincolns head facing down. If the tread goes above his head, you’re good. If it just reaches his head or is below, you need new tires.
Gerry says
Hi, My A/C went out this fall and would cost $1200 to fix, OUCH! I figure I would wait until next spring to repair it. Will this disqualify me on a Lyft inspection? Is Uber less likely to catch this? Thanks.
DougH says
I think you’re more likely to slip by on Uber. Lyft Mentor’s will probably notice. But even if you do slip through without A/C, your passengers swill notice. Even if it’s cold outside, a few people stuffed into your car generates heat and moisture. The A/C helps keep the windows from fogging and keeps the air nice and dry. So I think it’s in your best interest to shop around a bit for a better price and get it fixed.
Mariela A Barajas says
do you need to have full coverage insurance or is liability insurance enough?
DougH says
All you need is the state minimum, which in most states is just liability.