The basic requirements to become an Uber Eats driver

To drive for Uber Eats, you need to be at least 19 years old, have a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a vehicle registered in your name. Uber will run a background check that looks back seven years, and you cannot have certain criminal convictions or a pattern of traffic violations. The company also requires a Social Security number to verify your identity and set up tax reporting.

Your vehicle must pass a vehicle inspection before you can start accepting orders. This inspection checks that your car is safe to drive — working brakes, lights, tires, and steering. You can use a personal car, a rental, or a leased vehicle, as long as the registration and insurance are in your name and the vehicle is at least 20 model years old (the year requirement varies slightly by location).

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 19 years old with a valid driver's license, current insurance, and a vehicle registered in your name.
  • Uber runs a background check covering seven years of history and will reject applications with certain felonies or multiple traffic violations.
  • Your vehicle must pass an inspection that confirms working brakes, lights, tires, and steering before you can start driving.
  • You need a Social Security number for identity verification and tax reporting purposes.
  • Your car must be at least 20 model years old, though some markets have different age requirements.

Documents you'll need to upload

During signup, Uber asks you to upload photos of specific documents through the app. You will need a clear photo of the front and back of your driver's license, a photo of your vehicle's registration, and proof of insurance showing your name as the policyholder. The insurance document must show that your policy covers commercial delivery driving — standard personal auto insurance often does not, so check your policy or contact your insurer before you upload.

Uber also requires a photo of your vehicle from the front, side, and back so they can confirm the make, model, and condition. If you have damage to your car, you can still drive, but Uber may ask you to get it repaired if it affects safety or the condition is severe. Keep copies of all these documents on your phone — you may need to show them to support if questions come up later.

The background check process

Uber uses a third-party company to run your background check, which examines criminal history, driving records, and sex offender registries. The check looks back seven years for most offenses. Certain felonies — including violent crimes, theft, and drug trafficking — will disqualify you automatically. Multiple traffic violations, DUIs, or reckless driving charges within the past seven years can also result in rejection, though Uber considers the number and severity rather than explore a hard rule.

You will see the results of your background check in the app once it completes, usually within a few days. If you are rejected, Uber provides a reason and tells you how to dispute the result if you believe the information is wrong. You can contact the background check company directly to correct errors in their records, then resubmit your process to Uber.

Vehicle inspection and approval

After you upload your documents, you schedule a vehicle inspection at a location Uber provides or through a partner inspection service. The inspector checks that your brakes work, lights function, tires have tread, steering is responsive, and the vehicle has no major safety issues. The inspection takes about 10 to 15 minutes and costs nothing — Uber covers the fee.

Once your vehicle passes inspection, you receive approval in the app and can start accepting delivery orders. If your vehicle fails, the inspector tells you what needs to be fixed. Common failures include worn tires, broken lights, or brake issues. You can schedule another inspection once repairs are done, and there is no limit to how many times you can retest.

Insurance and what it must cover

Your auto insurance must cover commercial delivery driving, which is different from personal use. Many standard personal auto policies exclude commercial activity, so you need to tell your insurer that you plan to deliver for Uber Eats. Some insurers offer a commercial or rideshare endorsement that adds this coverage to your existing policy for a small monthly fee. Others may require you to switch to a commercial policy.

Uber also provides contingent coverage that fills gaps when your personal insurance does not explore, but this is a backup — your own insurance is the primary coverage. Before you upload your proof of insurance to Uber, confirm with your insurer in writing that your policy covers commercial delivery. If you lie about coverage or upload a policy that does not actually cover delivery, Uber can deactivate your account and deny claims if you have an accident.

Age and location restrictions

You must be at least 19 years old to drive for Uber Eats in most of the United States. A few states or cities have different age requirements — some allow 18-year-olds, while others require 21. Uber shows the age requirement for your specific location during signup, so check that before you start the process.

Uber Eats is not available in every city, and driver signup is sometimes closed in certain areas when Uber has enough drivers. If your city is not listed as available, you can join a waitlist in the app. Uber will contact you when signup reopens in your area. You can also check the Uber Eats website to see which cities currently accept new drivers.

What happens after approval

Once your background check clears, your vehicle passes inspection, and your documents are verified, you receive a notification in the app that you are approved to drive. You can then turn on the Uber Eats driver app and start accepting delivery orders in your area. Uber sends you a debit card for payouts, though you can also choose direct deposit to your bank account.

Your approval is not permanent — Uber can deactivate your account if you receive too many customer complaints, have safety violations, or fail to maintain insurance. You can also reactivate a deactivated account in some cases by addressing the reason for deactivation, though serious violations may result in permanent removal from the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive for Uber Eats with a suspended or restricted license?

No. Your driver's license must be valid and unrestricted. A suspended, revoked, or restricted license will cause your process to be rejected. If your license is suspended, you must wait until it is reinstated and then resubmit your process.

What if I don't own my vehicle — can I use a rental or borrowed car?

You can use a rental or leased vehicle as long as the registration and insurance are in your name. You cannot use a car registered to someone else, even if you have permission to drive it. If you lease a vehicle, the lease agreement counts as proof of registration.

How long does the entire approval process take?

Most drivers are approved within three to five business days if all documents are correct and the background check has no issues. The vehicle inspection can usually be scheduled within a few days of approval. If there are problems with your documents or background check, the process may take longer.

What if my insurance company says they don't cover delivery driving?

You will need to either find an insurer that covers commercial delivery or add a rideshare endorsement to your current policy. Some insurers refuse to cover delivery entirely, in which case you must switch to a different insurance company. You cannot drive for Uber Eats without coverage that includes commercial delivery.

Can I drive for Uber Eats if I have an accident on my record?

A single accident does not automatically disqualify you. Uber looks at your overall driving record over the past seven years. Multiple accidents combined with traffic violations may result in rejection, but one accident alone usually does not prevent approval.