Uber's background check typically takes 3 to 5 business days, though it can stretch to 7 to 10 days depending on what the screening company finds and how quickly your records arrive from courts and previous employers

The timeline starts when you submit your information through the Uber app or website. Uber uses third-party screening companies — primarily Checkr and sometimes Sterling — to run the check. These companies request records from county courts, the FBI, and previous employers you listed. If those records come back quickly and contain no issues, you hear back in 3 to 5 days. If a court is slow to respond or if something in your history needs clarification, the process stretches longer.

You can check your status by opening the Uber app, going to your account, and looking for the background check section. It will show whether the check is pending, under review, or complete. Uber does not send a separate email when the check clears — you find out by checking the app or by receiving a notification that you can now start driving or delivering.

Key Takeaways

  • Most background checks finish within 3 to 5 business days, but can take up to 10 days if court records arrive slowly or if Uber needs more information from you.
  • Uber uses Checkr or Sterling, not its own staff, to run the check, so the timeline depends partly on how fast those companies can pull records from courts and employers.
  • You can see your check status in the Uber app under your account settings, not through email.
  • If the check is taking longer than 10 days, contact Uber support through the app to ask whether a court or employer is holding up the process.

What Uber's background check includes

Uber runs a check that covers your driving record, criminal history, and sex offender registry status. The screening company pulls records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for your driving history, searches county and state criminal records, and checks the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW). It also verifies your Social Security number and checks for any active warrants.

If you have ever lived outside the United States, Uber may request international records as well, which adds time to the process. The company also contacts previous employers you list in your process to confirm your work history, though this is less common and usually only happens if something in your criminal or driving record needs context.

Why some background checks take longer than 10 days

Court records are not all digitized, especially in smaller counties. If you have a record from a rural area or a county that still files cases on paper, the screening company has to request the record by mail or phone, wait for a clerk to pull it, and then receive it back. This alone can add 5 to 7 days.

Name variations also slow things down. If you have ever gone by a different name, been married and changed your last name, or if your name appears slightly differently on different documents, the screening company may need to run multiple searches or ask you for clarification. Respond to any requests from Uber or the screening company as soon as you see them — delays on your end directly extend the timeline.

If you have a common name, the screening company may pull records for other people with the same name and then have to verify which records are actually yours. This requires manual review and can add several days.

What happens if your background check is denied

Uber denies background checks based on specific criteria: felony convictions within the past 7 years, violent crimes, sexual offenses, drug-related felonies, and certain driving violations like a DUI within the past 3 years or multiple traffic violations. The exact rules vary slightly by state and city because local law requires it.

If your check is denied, Uber sends a notification through the app explaining the reason. You can dispute the result if you believe the information is wrong — for example, if the screening company pulled a record for someone else with your name. To dispute, contact Uber support through the app and provide documentation that proves the record does not belong to you, such as a court document showing the case was dismissed or a certified copy of your driving record from your state's DMV.

If the denial is correct but you believe circumstances have changed — for instance, if a conviction is now old enough to fall outside Uber's window — you can reapply after a certain period. Uber does not have a formal waiting period, but reapplying when ready after a denial is unlikely to succeed unless new information has emerged.

How to speed up your background check

Provide accurate information on your first submission. Errors in your name, address, or Social Security number force the screening company to run additional searches or ask for clarification. Double-check everything before you submit.

If you know you have a record that might appear in the check, be honest about it in your process. Some cities and states allow Uber to hire drivers with certain older convictions or violations if the driver discloses them upfront. Hiding something and having it discovered during the check can result in a permanent denial rather than a conditional approval.

Check your email and the Uber app daily while the check is pending. If the screening company or Uber asks for additional information — such as clarification on a previous address or confirmation that a record does not belong to you — respond within 24 hours. Delays on your end can add days to the overall timeline.

Background check requirements by location

Some cities and states have their own background check rules that Uber must follow in addition to its own policy. New York City, for example, requires Uber to use the Taxi and Limousine Commission's (TLC) background check process, which takes longer and has stricter rules than Uber's standard check. In New York, the process can take 2 to 4 weeks.

California requires Uber to report certain information to the state, which adds a step. Some states allow Uber to hire drivers with records that other states do not allow. If you are moving to a new city or state to drive for Uber, check whether that location has its own requirements — Uber's help section lists these by city.

What to do if your background check is stuck

If more than 10 business days have passed and your check still shows as pending, contact Uber support through the app. Go to Account, then Help, then Background Check, and select the option to contact support. Explain that your check has been pending for longer than expected and ask whether a specific court or employer is holding up the process.

Uber support can sometimes contact the screening company on your behalf to push for faster processing, especially if a court is slow to respond. They can also tell you whether the delay is on Uber's end or the screening company's end, which helps you decide whether to follow up with a court directly.

If you know a specific court or employer is slow, you can also contact them directly and ask them to expedite your record request. Provide the screening company's name and case number if you have it. Some courts will prioritize requests if you explain it is for employment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive for Uber while my background check is pending?

No. You cannot accept trips or deliveries until your background check is complete and approved. The app will not let you go online until the check clears. You can still set up your account, add your vehicle information, and prepare, but you cannot earn money until the check is done.

Do I have to pay for the background check?

No. Uber pays for the background check as part of the onboarding process. You will not see a charge on your payment method. Some third-party services advertise background check help for a fee, but you do not need to use them — Uber's process is free.

What if I have a felony from 10 years ago?

Uber's policy covers felonies within the past 7 years, so a felony from 10 years ago would not automatically disqualify you. However, other factors matter — the type of felony, whether it involved violence or drugs, and your state's laws all play a role. The only way to know is to submit your process and see what the screening company finds. If you are denied, you can dispute the decision if you believe it was made in error.

Will Uber tell me what they found in my background check?

Uber will tell you if your check is approved or denied and why it was denied. If it is approved, you will not see a detailed report — you just get the green light to drive. If you want to see the full report the screening company created, you can request it directly from Checkr or Sterling under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which gives you the right to see what is in your file.

Can I reapply if my background check was denied?

Yes, but only after addressing the reason for the denial. If the denial was based on incorrect information, dispute it first and reapply once it is corrected. If the denial was based on a conviction or violation that is now old enough to fall outside Uber's window, you can reapply. Uber does not have a formal waiting period, but reapplying when ready after a denial based on a current conviction is unlikely to succeed.