Uber Driver Requirements: Can You Drive for Uber?
Uber Driver Requirements 2019: Can You Drive for Uber?
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If you’re interested in signing up to drive for Uber, make sure you satisfy the Uber driver requirements.
Uber is currently available in over 600 cities. This opens up potential opportunities for those interested in driving for extra cash in their spare time, or as a full time job.
Currently, Uber is offering sign up bonus earnings guarantees of up to $2000. Guarantee amount is determined by city. See our Uber sign up bonus page for more information.
Uber does have a few driver requirements, but they’re pretty simple. So, if you’re interested in signing up to drive for Uber (or UberEats), here’s everything you need to know.
Uber Driver Requirements
Before you apply to drive for Uber, make sure you meet all of the following requirements to drive passengers on Uber. Uber Eats driver requirements, and Uber vehicle requirements are further down the page.
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- You must have a valid driver’s license (issued by a U.S. state or territory) and insurance. You must have had your license for at least one year. If you are under the age of 23, you must have had your license for at least three years.
- Use an eligible 4 door vehicle.
You also must pass a background check and a driving record check.
For the one year license requirement, your driving experience does not need to have taken place in the state in which you are applying. The only requirement is that the driving took place in the United States; international driving does not count. However, if your license was recently issued, you may need to submit proof of your licensing history, including a previous driver’s license or license number.
Although Uber does not perform a credit check or drug test, it does use a company called Checkr to complete a thorough background and driving record check over the last 7 years. A couple of speeding tickets shouldn’t be a problem, but DUIs, driving with suspended license charges, and criminal activity may be grounds to reject your Uber application.
Click the button below to start your application with our promo code (i9tz1) to be eligible for an Uber earnings guarantee of up to $2000 (guarantee amount determined by city).
Uber Driver Requirements – Uber Eats
The Uber driver requirements for Uber Eats (Uber Delivery) are less strict. If you plan to use a vehicle, these are the requirements
- You must be at least 19 years old.
- You must have a two or four door vehicle made after 1998.
- You must have a valid driver’s license and insurance.
However, you can also deliver for Uber Eats using a scooter or even a bicycle. For more information on delivering for Uber Eats, check out our Uber Eats Driver Guide.
Uber Vehicle Requirements
- Must have 4 doors and be able to transport a minimum of 4 passengers
- Must be 15 model years old or newer
- Title cannot be salvaged, reconstructed, or rebuilt.
- Rental vehicles – except those from an approved Uber lender – are not allowed.
- Vehicle cannot have any cosmetic damage, missing pieces, commercial branding or taxi paint jobs.
If you plan to drive a vehicle you do not personally own, you must be listed as an insured driver on this vehicle’s insurance policy. Uber will not approve a vehicle if the driver’s name is not on the insurance document.
Although trucks, minivans, and cars are all acceptable, full-size vans cannot be used to drive for Uber.
Vehicle must have seats and seatbelts for at least four passengers besides the driver. This is imperative and will be confirmed during the vehicle inspection.
If your vehicle does not match the requirements above, you may still be able to use your vehicle for deliveries on the Uber app. Or, you can rent or lease a vehicle through Uber during the application process.
UberBlack and UberSUV Requirements
If you have a newer model luxury vehicle, it may qualify for UberBlack or Uber SUV, luxury branches of the rideshare service.
UberSUV includes vehicles like the:
- Cadillac Escalade ESV
- Chevrolet Suburban
- GMC Yukon XL
- Infiniti QX56, QX80
- Lexus LX
- Lincoln Navigator L
- Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Model year requirements for UberSUV vary by market. You’ll need at least a 2012 model year. However, in many cities the requirements are even more stringent, requiring a 2015 or 2016 model year or newer.
UberBlack includes vehicles like the:
- Audi A6, A7
- BMW 5 Series
- Cadillac XTS
- Infiniti Q70
- Jaguar XF
- Lexus GS
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
You’ll need at least a 2013 vehicle to qualify for UberBlack. As with UberSUV though, many markets require a 2015 or 2016 model year or newer to qualify for UberBlack. Also, the vehicle generally has to be painted black, and be in pristine condition.
UberBlack and UberSUV have the same driver requirements previously mentioned for driving for Uber.
However, in many markets, you need a commercial registration (livery or chauffeur’s license), and commercial insurance to driver UberBlack or UberSuv.
Another thing to consider is that UberBlack restricts the number of vehicles on the road in a given city, so you’ll need to first ensure Uber is accepting new UberBlack/UberSuv drivers for the city you plan to drive in. Before you go through the trouble and expense of obtaining commercial registration and insurance, be sure to check with Uber so that you’re sure there is a spot available.
How To Start Driving For Uber – Application Guide
If you meet the driver requirements, click the button below to start your application with an Uber driver promo code, so you get a sign up bonus. For more information on the Uber application, see our post on How To Ace Your Uber Application.
What It’s Like to Drive for Uber
Now that you know about the Uber driver requirements, let’s talk about what you can expect when driving for the company.
How much can you expect to make driving for Uber?
Your compensation will depend on what city you drive in, what time of day you drive, and what day you are driving. However, driving Uber can be worth it, if you take the time to determine what hours are the most lucrative. This takes trial and error, so be prepared to experiment with your driving schedule when you begin. You should also keep track of your expenses as they will help you identify your true profit, both for your own knowledge as well as for your taxes.
The national average for Uber drivers is around $16 per hour, but in larger markets, top drivers routinely earn over $20 per hour. If you plan on driving full time, you can earn between $1000 and $1500 per week in most markets, sometimes more.
What should I do to prepare?
Passengers will expect to be picked up in a clean vehicle, so make sure your car is free from any trash, clutter, or funky odors. It is also a good idea to keep the exterior of your vehicle relatively clean to ensure a good rating. Besides cleaning your car, you will also want to invest in a car charger and a phone mount to make your driving experience as easy as possible. Since you’ll be using your Uber Driver app continuously, you’ll need to keep your phone plugged in so that it maintains its charge, and the phone mount will allow you to keep tabs on the GPS route without taking your eyes off the road.
Should I talk to my passengers?
One of the trickiest parts of driving for Uber is determining whether you should make conversation with the passengers you pick up. There is no hard and fast rule, and you’ll just have to follow your instincts. After greeting your passengers, gauge how enthusiastic their responses are and whether they are actively participating in the conversation or giving short answers, looking out the window, or browsing their phones. Your priority is to give your passengers a comfortable and enjoyable ride.
What if I don’t want people in my car?
The experience of picking up strangers in your own vehicle can be less than exciting for some. If that’s the case, consider signing up for UberEats, Doordash, Caviar, or another delivery service in your area.
What Are You Waiting For, Start Your Uber Application Today
If you drive full time for Uber, you can earn between $1000 and $1500 per week in most cities, sometimes more. As a solid side hustle, it’s a great way to make extra cash to make ends meet, pay off loans, or even save up for a trip.
So, if you meet the Uber driver requirements, click the button below to start your application using our promo code and be eligible for an Uber earnings guarantee of up to $2000.
