What you need before you can drive for Uber

To drive for Uber, you need a valid driver's license, proof of vehicle insurance, and a vehicle that meets Uber's age and condition requirements. Your license must be from the state where you plan to drive, and your insurance policy must cover commercial use — standard personal auto insurance often does not. Uber will ask you to upload photos of your license, insurance card, and vehicle during the signup process.

Your car must be at least 15 years old or newer, depending on your location and the Uber service level you choose (UberX, Uber Comfort, or UberXL have different vehicle standards). The vehicle needs to pass a vehicle inspection, which Uber arranges through a third-party service. You'll also need a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, as Uber reports your earnings to the IRS.

Some cities and states require additional documents: a commercial driver's license, a background check beyond what Uber runs, or a vehicle inspection from your local DMV. Check your city's transportation department website or call them directly to find out what applies where you drive.

Key Takeaways

  • You need a valid driver's license, proof of commercial insurance, and a vehicle that meets Uber's age and condition standards before you can start the signup process.
  • Uber runs a background check that includes driving history and criminal records, and the standards vary by location.
  • Your vehicle must pass an inspection through Uber's third-party service, and you'll need to upload photos of your license, insurance, and car.
  • Some cities require additional permits or inspections beyond what Uber requires, so check your local transportation rules before you begin.
  • You are responsible for your own vehicle maintenance, fuel, and insurance — Uber does not cover these costs.

The signup process and timeline

Start by downloading the Uber Driver app and entering your phone number. Uber will text you a verification code. After you verify, you'll create an account and fill in your name, email, and date of birth. The app then asks you to upload a photo of your driver's license (front and back), a photo of your insurance card, and several photos of your vehicle (front, back, sides, and interior).

Once you submit these documents, Uber sends them to a verification team. This step usually takes 24 to 48 hours. If anything is unclear or missing, Uber will ask you to resubmit. After verification, Uber schedules your vehicle inspection. You drive to a third-party inspection center (Uber shows you the nearest one) and a technician checks that your car meets safety standards — brakes, lights, tires, and windshield condition. The inspection takes about 15 minutes and costs nothing.

After your vehicle passes inspection, Uber runs a background check. This includes your driving record from your state's DMV and a criminal background check. The background check typically takes three to five business days. Once it clears, you can turn on the driver app and start receiving ride requests. The entire process from signup to your first ride usually takes one to two weeks, though it can be faster or slower depending on how quickly you submit documents and schedule your inspection.

Understanding how you get paid

Uber calculates your earnings based on the distance and time of each trip. When a passenger books a ride, Uber shows you the pickup location and the estimated fare before you accept. The fare is split between Uber and you — Uber takes a percentage (typically 25 to 30 percent, though this varies by city and service level) and you keep the rest. Passengers can also add a tip through the app after the ride ends.

You see your earnings in real time in the driver app. After each trip, the app shows you the base fare, any surge pricing (higher rates during busy times), the distance, the time, and what Uber took as its cut. Your net earnings appear in a running total. At the end of each week, Uber deposits your earnings into the bank account you provided during signup, usually by Tuesday or Wednesday.

You do not receive a paycheck or a W-2 form. Uber treats you as an independent contractor, which means you are responsible for paying self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare tax) on your earnings. At the end of the year, Uber sends you a 1099-NEC form showing your total earnings. You will owe taxes on this income when you file your tax return.

Costs you need to budget for

Driving for Uber costs money beyond what the app shows you earn. Your largest expense is usually fuel. The amount depends on your vehicle's fuel efficiency and how much you drive, but most drivers spend 20 to 40 percent of their gross earnings on gas. If you drive a vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon and earn $1,000 in a week, you might spend $200 to $300 on fuel for that week.

Vehicle maintenance is your second major cost. Tires, oil changes, brake pads, and repairs wear out faster when you drive for Uber because you put more miles on your car. You are responsible for all maintenance — Uber does not cover it. Many drivers set aside 10 to 15 percent of their earnings for maintenance and repairs.

Insurance is non-negotiable. Your personal auto insurance likely does not cover commercial driving. You need a commercial auto insurance policy or a rideshare insurance endorsement added to your existing policy. This costs $10 to $30 per week depending on your location and driving record. Uber also provides limited insurance coverage while you have a passenger in the car, but this does not replace your own policy.

Other costs include vehicle registration renewal, tolls if you drive in areas that charge them, and phone service (you need a reliable data connection). Some drivers also pay for car washes to keep their vehicle clean, since Uber can deactivate you if your car's interior or exterior becomes too dirty.

What Uber's background check includes

Uber runs a background check through a third-party service that pulls your driving record and criminal history. The driving record check looks at your state's DMV records for accidents, traffic violations, and license suspensions. Uber has specific rules: you cannot have more than three moving violations in the past three years, more than one serious violation (like reckless driving) in the past five years, or a DUI or DWI ever.

The criminal background check searches national, state, and county records. Uber will not approve you if you have a felony conviction, a violent crime conviction, or a sex offense conviction on your record. For other misdemeanors, Uber looks at how recent the conviction is and what the crime was. A conviction from 10 years ago is treated differently than one from last year. Uber does not publish an exact list of which misdemeanors disqualify you, so if you have a criminal record, you can contact Uber support to ask whether you are may be able to access before you spend time on the full signup process.

Uber also checks whether you are on any sex offender registry. If you are, you cannot drive for Uber. The background check takes three to five business days after your vehicle passes inspection.

How to handle vehicle maintenance and repairs

Your vehicle must stay in good condition to keep your Uber account active. Uber can deactivate you if your car fails a reinspection or if passengers report that your vehicle is dirty, unsafe, or in poor repair. Reinspections happen randomly, and Uber may also ask you to reinspect if you have not driven in a while.

Keep up with routine maintenance: oil changes every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, tire rotations, and brake inspections. Track your mileage and maintenance in a spreadsheet or app so you have records for your taxes — maintenance costs are tax-deductible. When something breaks, get it fixed quickly. A broken window, a check engine light, or worn brake pads can get you deactivated if a passenger reports it or if you fail a reinspection.

For major repairs, you have a choice: pay out of pocket or use Uber's preferred repair network. Uber has partnerships with certain repair shops that offer discounts to drivers. You can find these shops in the driver app under "Vehicle Services." Using a preferred shop does not change your out-of-pocket cost much, but it may speed up the repair process.

Deactivation and what can get your account suspended

Uber can deactivate your account (suspend or permanently ban you from driving) if you violate their community guidelines. Common reasons include a low rating (typically below 4.6 stars), canceling too many rides, arriving late to pickups, driving under the influence, or having an accident. Passengers rate you after each ride on a scale of one to five stars. Your average rating appears in the driver app. If your rating drops too low, Uber will warn you and may deactivate you if it does not improve.

Accepting a ride and then canceling it counts against you. If you cancel more than a small percentage of your accepted rides, Uber flags your account. Arriving more than a few minutes late to a pickup also hurts your rating and can lead to deactivation if it happens repeatedly. Uber takes safety seriously: if you are in an accident, Uber investigates. If you are found at fault or if the accident was caused by reckless driving, your account may be deactivated.

If your account is deactivated, Uber will send you an email explaining why. You can appeal the decision by responding to that email and providing additional information. Some deactivations are permanent, but others can be reversed if you show that the reason for deactivation no longer applies (for example, if your rating was low but you have improved it by driving more carefully).

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Most states do not require a commercial driver's license for rideshare driving. However, some cities and a few states do. Check your city's transportation department or your state's DMV website to find out what applies where you live. If your location requires a commercial license, you will need to get one before Uber approves your account.

What happens if I get into an accident while driving for Uber?

Report the accident to Uber through the driver app when ready. Uber provides insurance coverage while you have a passenger in the car, but your personal insurance is the primary coverage. Contact your insurance company and file a claim. Uber will investigate the accident and may deactivate your account temporarily while they review what happened. If you are found not at fault, your account will be reactivated.

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 company offers you a ride first. However, you cannot accept a ride from one company and then accept a ride from another while you have a passenger — you must complete the first ride before accepting another.

How much do most Uber drivers make per hour?

Earnings vary widely depending on your city, the time of day you drive, and how efficiently you find rides. Some drivers earn $15 to $20 per hour after Uber's cut, while others earn $25 to $35 per hour in busy cities during peak times. However, these numbers do not account for fuel, maintenance, insurance, and taxes. After you subtract these costs, your actual take-home pay is lower. Track your earnings and expenses for a few weeks to see what you actually make in your area.

What if I want to stop driving for Uber?

You can stop driving whenever you want. straightforward turn off the driver app and do not accept any more rides. Your account will remain active, and you can turn the app back on later if you want to drive again. If you want to permanently close your account, contact Uber support through the app and request account deletion.