The Uber driver application is completed online through the Uber Driver app or at uber.com/drive, and most people finish the signup itself in under 15 minutes. From the moment you create an account to the moment your account goes active usually runs one to two weeks, with the background check taking most of that time.
Before you open the app, it helps to know whether you qualify, what documents you’ll upload, and what Uber is checking for. Here’s what the process looks like end to end.
Who Can Apply
Uber requires at least one year of licensed driving experience in the United States. Drivers under 25 need three years instead.1Uber. Driver Requirements in the USA The minimum age depends on the state: 23 in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Minnesota, and 25 in California.2Uber Help. Requirements to Sign Up as a Driver Some states also require an in-state driver’s license, so check the requirements page for the city you plan to drive in.
Your car needs four doors and seating for at least five people. For UberX, the vehicle must generally be 15 years old or newer, though the cutoff varies by city.3Uber Help. Vehicle Requirements Salvage-title vehicles and most commercial trucks are not eligible. If you move or want to drive in another market later, you can look up that city’s specific rules on the Uber requirements page.4Uber Help. Drive in a New City
What to Have Ready Before You Start
Pulling these together before you open the app saves days. Submitting documents in a single batch is faster than feeding them in one at a time:
- A current, unexpired U.S. driver’s license. The name on it must match the name you use on the application.
- Proof of personal auto insurance that meets your state’s mandatory minimum coverage, with your name on the policy as policyholder or listed driver.5Uber. Insurance for Rideshare and Delivery Drivers
- Current vehicle registration showing the VIN and registration number.6Uber Help. Registration of Vehicle
- Proof of residency, such as a utility bill or bank statement showing your address in the city or state where you want to drive.1Uber. Driver Requirements in the USA
- A clear, well-lit photo of your face for your driver profile. No sunglasses or hats.
You’ll also enter your Social Security number during signup. Uber uses it to run the background check and to issue your 1099 at year end, since drivers are classified as independent contractors.
Filling Out the Application
Download the Uber Driver app from the App Store or Google Play, or go to uber.com/drive on a browser. Create an account with your email and phone number; Uber texts a verification code to confirm the phone. That account becomes your hub for trip requests, earnings, tax documents, and support.
The app walks you through each field in order: name, date of birth, Social Security number, and the city where you plan to drive. Picking the correct city matters, because it sets which local rules and vehicle standards apply. You then enter the year, make, model, and license plate of your car so Uber can confirm it meets the local requirements.
Uploading Your Documents
The app prompts you to photograph each document with your phone camera, and an on-screen frame helps you line up the shot. The most common reason an upload is rejected is a blurry or cropped image, so shoot in good light and make sure all four corners are visible. Vehicle registration needs photos of both sides.
A green checkmark confirms each upload. If something gets flagged, say expired insurance, illegible text, or a name mismatch, you’ll get a notification in the app telling you what to fix. Usually that just means re-photographing the document or uploading an updated version.
Vehicle Inspection
Many cities require a vehicle inspection by a licensed mechanic before Uber activates your account.7Uber. Uber Vehicle Inspection Near Me The mechanic checks brakes, tires, lights, seat belts, and overall condition. Fees generally run $20 to $40. You can find an approved location through the app or website, and once the mechanic signs off, you upload the completed form the same way you uploaded your other documents.
Not every market requires this step. If yours does, the app will tell you during signup and will hold your account inactive until the inspection form is on file.
Background Check: Timing and What Disqualifies
Once your documents are in, Uber starts a background screening through Checkr, HireRight, or Samba Safety.8Uber Help. Background Check Status The check reviews your driving record and criminal history. It usually takes three to seven business days, though courthouse backlogs can stretch it longer.9Checkr. Help with Uber Background Check
Certain convictions are automatic disqualifiers regardless of when they occurred, including murder, sexual assault, and terrorism-related offenses. Pending criminal charges can also block your application until they’re resolved. On the driving side, multiple moving violations or at-fault accidents in the past three years, a license suspension in the past three years, and any recent DUI or reckless driving conviction will result in a rejection.10Uber Help. What Background Checks Look For Some jurisdictions allow an individual assessment that considers evidence of rehabilitation, so a disqualification in one city is not always final everywhere.
Uber sends status updates through the app and your registered email. When everything clears, your account switches to active.
Setting Up Payment and Going Online
Uber pays drivers by weekly direct deposit. To set it up, go to vault.uber.com, sign in with the same credentials as your Driver app, enter your bank account details, and submit.11Uber Help. Setting Up Direct Deposits Verify the routing and account numbers before submitting; Uber doesn’t pay by check, so a wrong entry delays your earnings. Instant Pay lets you cash out to a debit card up to five times a day once you have earnings on your account.
With your account active and payment set up, open the Driver app, tap Go, and you’re available for trips. The app matches you with nearby riders automatically.
One Thing to Know About Insurance Before Your First Trip
The personal auto policy you upload during the application is not the only coverage in play once you start driving, but it’s also not fully replaced by Uber’s. Coverage works in layers tied to what the app is doing: offline you’re on your personal policy only, waiting for a request puts you under limited Uber liability coverage, and an accepted trip triggers Uber’s $1,000,000 liability coverage along with collision and comprehensive, but only if your personal policy already carries collision and comprehensive.5Uber. Insurance for Rideshare and Delivery Drivers Many drivers add a rideshare endorsement to their personal policy to close the waiting-period gap and keep their insurer from denying a claim because the car was being used commercially. It’s worth sorting this out before your first trip rather than after a fender bender.