The Uber vehicle inspection form is a standardized 19-point safety checklist that a certified mechanic completes and signs to confirm your car is roadworthy enough to carry passengers. In most markets you cannot accept your first trip until a passing form is uploaded through the Uber Driver app and approved by Uber’s review team. The inspection itself usually costs between $20 and $40, which you pay out of pocket.
Where to Download the Form
You can pull the form from the Uber Driver app or your online driver dashboard. Open the vehicle section of your account and look for the PDF download link, or go to the inspections page at drivers.uber.com.1Uber. Uber Vehicle Inspection Near Me The version you need depends on your city, so download the one tied to your market. Using the wrong form is one of the easiest ways to have your submission rejected.
Many inspection shops already stock rideshare forms, but bring your own copy anyway. It saves time if the shop doesn’t have the Uber version on hand.
What Information the Form Captures
The top of the form records your vehicle’s seventeen-digit VIN, license plate number, make, model, and year. The VIN has to match your registration exactly. A single transposed digit kicks the submission into manual review and can push your activation back by several business days.
Below that, the mechanic fills in their business name, address, and certification or license number. Incomplete or illegible entries get rejected, so ask the mechanic to print clearly and look over their section before you leave.
The 19 Inspection Points
Each item is scored pass or fail. One failure fails the whole inspection. The mechanic evaluates:
- Headlights (high and low beams)
- Tail lights
- Turn indicator lights, front and rear
- Stop lights
- Foot brakes
- Emergency and parking brake
- Steering mechanism
- Windshield
- Rear window and other glass
- Windshield wipers
- Safety belts for every seat
- Front seat adjustment
- Doors, including locks inside and out
- Horn
- Speedometer
- Front and rear bumpers
- Muffler and exhaust system
- Tires, with tread depth typically requiring at least 2/32 of an inch and recorded individually
- Interior and exterior mirrors
The inspection is mechanical and visual rather than a road test. A thorough mechanic usually finishes in 15 to 20 minutes with the car parked the whole time.
Who Can Perform the Inspection
You have two options. Uber’s inspections page shows approved third-party service centers on an interactive map by city, and you can also take the form to any certified mechanic nearby even if the shop isn’t on Uber’s list.1Uber. Uber Vehicle Inspection Near Me
The technician needs to hold an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certification or work at a state-licensed inspection station. If you’re unsure a shop qualifies, call ahead and ask whether they handle rideshare inspections. Shops that do this routinely know exactly which form to use and how to fill it out.
Some markets also offer virtual inspections conducted over live video with an ASE-certified mechanic. You walk around your car on camera while the technician guides you through each point, and the signed form is sent to you for upload. The Uber Driver app shows whether this option is available where you drive.
What You’ll Pay
Expect to pay $20 to $40 at most shops. Uber does not reimburse the inspection fee or cover any repairs needed to pass.1Uber. Uber Vehicle Inspection Near Me As an independent contractor, you can deduct the fee and any related repairs on Schedule C of your Form 1040 as an ordinary business expense, so keep the receipt.2Internal Revenue Service. Instructions for Schedule C (Form 1040) (2025)
Uploading the Signed Form
Once the mechanic signs and dates the form, photograph the whole page in good light. In the Uber Driver app, open Account, then Documents, and upload the image. All four corners need to be visible and the handwriting legible. Blurry photos and cropped edges are the most common reasons uploads get kicked back.
The review team usually processes the form within 48 hours, during which your document status shows as “Pending.”3Uber. Required Documents for Drivers If it’s rejected, you’ll get a notification explaining why — a blurry photo, a missing signature, a VIN mismatch. Fix it and resubmit. Once approved, your status flips to “Active” and you can start accepting rides.
If Your Car Fails
A failed inspection isn’t permanent. The mechanic marks which specific points didn’t pass, so you walk out with a clear list of what to fix. Worn brake pads, bald tires, a burned-out tail light, or a cracked windshield are typical culprits, and most are straightforward repairs.
Once the work is done, take the car back to any qualified mechanic for a new inspection. Uber doesn’t impose a waiting period or penalty for failing; you just can’t go online until a passing form is approved. Many shops that run a lot of rideshare inspections will waive or discount the re-inspection fee, so it’s worth asking.
Keeping the Inspection Current
The form is valid for one year. Uber sends reminders through the app and by email as the expiration approaches, and if it lapses before you upload a new one, your account is deactivated until a current form is on file.1Uber. Uber Vehicle Inspection Near Me
Check your car’s age before paying for a renewal. In most markets, vehicles must be 15 years old or newer, though the cutoff varies by city.4Uber Help. Vehicle Requirements A car that passed last year may have aged out of eligibility, and no inspection form will put it back on the road for Uber.