What you need before you can drive for Uber

Uber requires every driver to meet a set of baseline requirements before you can accept rides. These are not negotiable — Uber's system will not let you proceed without them. You need a valid driver's license from your state, a Social Security number, proof of car insurance that covers commercial use (personal auto insurance often does not), and a vehicle that passes Uber's inspection standards.

Your car must be at least 15 years old or newer, depending on your city — some markets require newer vehicles. It needs to pass a safety inspection that checks brakes, lights, tires, and windshield condition. You will also need to provide proof of vehicle registration and a vehicle identification number (VIN). Uber runs a background check that looks at your driving record and criminal history; the exact standards vary by state and city.

You will need a smartphone with a data plan to run the Uber Driver app. The app is how you receive ride requests, navigate to passengers, and collect payment. Without it, you cannot work.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a valid driver's license, proof of insurance that covers commercial driving, and a vehicle that passes Uber's safety inspection before you can start.
  • Uber runs a background check on your driving record and criminal history; standards vary by state and city.
  • Your earnings come from fares minus Uber's commission, which typically ranges from 20 to 30 percent depending on your city and the type of service.
  • You are responsible for all vehicle costs — gas, maintenance, insurance, and registration — which reduce your take-home pay.
  • The Uber Driver app is your only way to receive rides and get paid, so a working smartphone and data plan are essential.

How to sign up and get approved

Start by going to Uber's driver signup page on the web or downloading the Uber Driver app and selecting "Sign Up." You will enter your name, phone number, email, and Social Security number. Uber will send you a verification code by text or email to confirm your contact information.

Next, you upload documents: a photo of your driver's license (front and back), proof of insurance, vehicle registration, and a photo of your vehicle from multiple angles. You will also need to provide your vehicle's VIN. Uber's system checks these documents against public records to verify they are real and match your identity.

Once documents are uploaded, Uber schedules you for a vehicle inspection. In most cities, this happens at a third-party inspection center — Uber's website will show you the nearest location and available times. You drive your car to the inspection, a technician checks it against a checklist (wipers, lights, tires, brakes, horn, mirrors, seatbelts), and you receive a pass or fail on the spot. If you fail, you get a list of repairs needed and can reschedule after fixing them.

After your vehicle passes inspection, Uber runs the background check. This typically takes three to five business days. You will receive an email when the check is complete. If you are approved, your account is activated and you can start accepting rides when ready. If you are not approved, Uber will tell you the reason and whether you can appeal.

Understanding how you earn money and what Uber takes

Uber calculates your earnings based on the fare for each ride. The fare includes a base amount, a per-mile charge, and a per-minute charge. Uber then deducts its commission — typically 20 to 30 percent of the fare, though this varies by city and service type (UberX, Uber Eats, etc.). The remainder goes to you.

For example, if a ride generates a $20 fare and Uber's commission in your city is 25 percent, Uber takes $5 and you receive $15. You see the exact breakdown in the Uber Driver app after each ride. Surge pricing — when demand is high and fares increase — works the same way: Uber takes its percentage, and you keep the rest.

You do not receive a salary, hourly wage, or benefits. You are paid only for completed rides. If you are online but receive no ride requests, you earn nothing. Uber deposits your earnings into your bank account weekly, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on your bank's processing time.

Costs you pay out of your own pocket

Every dollar you earn as an Uber driver comes with expenses. You pay for all gas used during rides. You pay for vehicle maintenance — oil changes, tire rotations, repairs. You pay your car insurance premium, and you must make sure your policy covers commercial driving; many personal auto policies do not, and driving for Uber without the right coverage can void your policy if you have an accident.

You also pay vehicle registration renewal fees and any local licensing fees your city requires. Some cities charge a per-trip fee or a monthly driver fee to Uber, which Uber deducts from your earnings. You are responsible for your own taxes — Uber does not withhold income tax, Social Security, or Medicare. At the end of the year, you will owe self-employment tax on your net earnings.

Many drivers find that once they account for gas, maintenance, insurance, and taxes, their actual hourly earnings are significantly lower than the per-ride fare suggests. Tracking your mileage and expenses throughout the year makes tax time easier and helps you understand your true profit.

How the Uber Driver app works during a shift

When you are ready to work, you open the Uber Driver app and toggle yourself online. The app shows your current location and begins sending you ride requests from nearby passengers. Each request shows the passenger's pickup location, their destination, and the estimated fare. You have a few seconds to accept or decline the request.

Once you accept, the app gives you turn-by-turn navigation to the passenger's location. The passenger can see your car's location in real time on their end. When you arrive, you confirm the pickup in the app, and the ride begins. The app tracks your route and time, calculating the fare as you drive. When you reach the destination, you end the ride in the app, and the passenger is charged.

Passengers can rate you from one to five stars after each ride, and you can rate them the same way. Your rating appears on your driver profile and affects whether passengers accept your ride requests. Ratings below 4.6 stars can result in deactivation. You can see your current rating in the app at any time.

Safety, ratings, and deactivation

Uber has community guidelines that explore to both drivers and passengers. You are expected to follow traffic laws, treat passengers respectfully, keep your car clean, and not use drugs or alcohol while driving. Passengers can report you for violations, and Uber investigates reports. Repeated violations or a single serious violation can result in deactivation — permanent removal from the platform.

Your star rating is public and matters. Passengers see your rating before they request your ride. If your rating drops below 4.6 stars, Uber may send you a warning or deactivate you. You can improve your rating by providing clean cars, friendly service, and safe driving. You can also message Uber support to ask for feedback on low ratings.

Deactivation can happen for reasons beyond your control too. If your vehicle fails a required safety inspection, if your insurance lapses, if your driver's license is suspended, or if your background check reveals new disqualifying information, Uber will deactivate your account. You can sometimes reactivate by fixing the problem — renewing insurance, passing a new inspection — but not always.

Taxes and record-keeping for Uber drivers

As an Uber driver, you are self-employed. This means you owe self-employment tax on your net earnings — the money you make after subtracting business expenses. Self-employment tax covers Social Security and Medicare and is calculated on your tax return.

Uber sends you a Form 1099-NEC at the end of the year showing your gross earnings (before expenses). This is not your taxable income — you subtract your business expenses first. Deductible expenses include gas, maintenance, insurance, registration, and a portion of your phone bill if you use it for work. You can also deduct mileage using the IRS standard mileage rate, which changes each year.

Keep records of your mileage, fuel purchases, maintenance receipts, and insurance payments throughout the year. Many drivers use a mileage-tracking app or a straightforward spreadsheet. The better your records, the more expenses you can deduct, which lowers your tax bill. If you do not track expenses, you will pay tax on more of your earnings than you actually kept.

What happens if you stop driving

You can go offline in the Uber Driver app anytime without notice. You do not need to tell Uber you are taking a break or quitting. If you stay offline for an extended period — the exact timeframe varies by city but is typically 30 days or more — Uber may deactivate your account. You can reactivate by contacting Uber support and confirming you want to drive again.

If you want to permanently leave, you can request account deletion through the app settings. Uber will close your account and stop sending you ride requests. Your earnings history will remain in your account for tax purposes, but you will not be able to accept new rides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a commercial driver's license to drive for Uber?

No. A standard driver's license is sufficient. You do not need a commercial license, taxi license, or special permit in most states. However, some cities have local requirements — check with your city's transportation department to be sure.

What if my car is too old or does not pass inspection?

If your vehicle is older than Uber's age requirement for your city or fails the safety inspection, you cannot drive for Uber until you fix or replace it. Some drivers buy a used car that meets the requirements, while others use a car-rental service designed for rideshare drivers. Rental costs reduce your earnings significantly.

Can I drive for Uber and another rideshare company at the same time?

Yes. Many drivers work for both Uber and Lyft, or other services. You can have both apps open and accept rides from whichever platform offers you a request first. However, you can only drive one passenger at a time, so you must decline requests from one platform while you are completing a ride for another.

What if I have an accident while driving for Uber?

Report it to Uber through the app when ready. Uber has insurance that covers accidents while you are actively on a ride, but your personal auto insurance is your first line of coverage. If your personal policy does not cover commercial driving, you may not be covered at all. This is why having the right insurance before you start is critical.

How much can I actually make driving for Uber?

Earnings vary widely by city, time of day, and how efficiently you drive. Uber does not publish average driver earnings. Your gross fare revenue minus Uber's commission is your revenue, but your actual take-home pay depends on gas, maintenance, insurance, and taxes. Many drivers report earning between $15 and $25 per hour before expenses, though this varies significantly.