Common Uber Driver Questions – Application, Inspection, Background Check
How Do I Become an Uber Driver and How Does Uber Work, Exactly?
Uber is incredibly simple to use for both riders and drivers. When a passenger needs to reach a destination, they open the Uber app to request a ride.
Once they have entered both their pickup point and destination, any nearby driver can then choose to accept their trip request.
After the identity and destination of both rider and driver have been confirmed, the driver then travels to the pickup point.
The driver can then either use their own GPS app or rely on Uber’s built-in GPS tool to get the passenger where they need to go. We do not recommend that Uber drivers attempt to drive without GPS.
Once the rider has reached their destination, the rider and driver rate one another on a scale from one to five stars. Riders can also leave compliments for their driver and give them a tip. Note that in some locations, tipping is not available.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Be An Uber Driver?
Uber requires that all drivers are 21 years of age or older.
You also must have at least one year of driving experience. Driver under the age of 23 must have at least three years of driving experience. Unfortunately, there is no way around this requirement.
However, UberEATS, its partner platform, allows drivers to sign up from age 19.
Both UberEats and Uber offer sign up earnings guarantees for new drivers, based on your location. Click one of the buttons below to get start your Uber application and get an earnings guarantee.
How Long Does A Car Inspection For Uber Take?
Becoming an Uber driver requires you to do more than simply install the app. In many states, you must also complete a full vehicle inspection to ensure your car is road-ready and that it will offer a pleasant driving experience to passengers.
The Uber vehicle inspection can be done at most licensed mechanics, or at many of Uber’s various Uber Greenlight Locations.
The inspection usually takes around thirty minutes. It’s sometimes free if you go to an Uber Greenlight Location and costs about $20 at a mechanic or body shop.
The inspection isn’t especially complicated, and as long as your vehicle is in good condition and the interior is clean and well-maintained, you should be fine.
What’s Involved In The Uber Background Check?
Uber runs a full background check on any prospective drivers before it allows them to start using its platform.
It’s basically the same thing every employer does – Uber just wants to make sure you’re not a criminal, a sex offender, or an unsafe driver before you start working for them.
The process can take anywhere from one to ten days (sometimes longer), depending on your city, and requires only that you provide Uber with your Social Security Number and your consent.
Uber also runs period background checks on randomly selected current drivers.
To pass the Uber driver background check, you must meet the following qualifications:
- Within the past seven years, no convictions for any major felonies, violent crimes, or sex offenses.
- Have held your driver’s license for a minimum of one year (three years of under the age of 23)
- No DUIs or reckless driving charges on your driving record.
- No major speeding violations on your driving record.
- Have been involved in not more than 3 incidents or accidents over the past three years.
Once you’ve signed up for a background check, your status will be set to Onboarding.
From there, it will either switch to Waitlisted (if there are problems with your documentation) or Consider (if there are issues with your background check). In some rare cases, you may immediately be set to Active or Rejected.
Once I’ve Started Driving For Uber, How Do I Get Paid?
Once you’ve been approved as an Uber driver, your next step is to open up the Uber app and navigate to the Partner Dashboard. From here, you’ll be able to choose from two different payment methods.
The first, Uber Instant Pay, allows you to access the money you’ve earned from your trips the moment they’re completed (in theory; some banks delay money received through this method due to slow processing rates).
In the Partner Dashboard, go to the “Earnings” tab and tap on “Instant Pay.” Add the debit card you want associated with your Uber account, and you’re good to go.
If you’ve already made some money driving for Uber, you may choose to deposit some or all of it onto the card.
The other option is Direct Deposit. This works pretty much how any paycheck would. Get your bank routing number and account number ready (call/visit your bank and ask if you’re not sure of either), and visit partners.uber.com.
Under the “Banking” tab, fill out all relevant information, check the Identity Confirmation box, and hit “Submit.”
Uber drivers that have signed up for Direct Deposit receive their payments between Tuesday and Thursday; the work week for Uber starts on Monday morning at 4 AM and ends the following Monday at 3:59 AM.
How Much Does Uber Cost, And How Much Of That Does The Driver Get?
Uber driver pay tends to vary wildly between different cities and countries – and not just because there is a higher demand for drivers in some markets than others.
Uber actually charges different rates depending on where you’re driving; someone working in a big city will tend to make a lot more money on Uber than someone working in a small town.
On average, however, the average Uber driver in the U.S. makes around $15.68 per hour. Do note, however, that this depends on a number of different factors:
- Whether or not the driver is willing to work during times of peak demand, such as on weekends, holidays, and late at night. Uber fares tend to be higher during these periods.
- The average trip length. Uber charges a flat booking fee for each ride (usually between $1 and $3), meaning that shorter trips are considerably less lucrative.
- Whether or not your market allows tips (and how many tips you receive).
- How much money you have to spend on gas and vehicular maintenance.
Why is my estimated payment different than my total balance?
While estimated payments are relatively accurate, they merely add together trip fares from the start of the week. They may not include referral rewards, promotions or guarantees. Once that week’s payment cycle is over, those payments will be added to your total balance.
If you’re ready to get start with Uber, simply click the button below to sign up with an Uber earnings guarantee.
