How to become an Uber driver in 3 steps
How to become an Uber driver in 3 steps – I am frequently asked the question, “How do I become an Uber driver?” The process of becoming an Uber driver is pretty simple and straight-forward. So, how to become an Uber driver? If you want to be your own boss and drive for Uber, you only have to do 3 simple things…that’s it.
Follow these steps, and become an Uber driver!
Want to Drive for Uber? Click here and get up to $500 sign-up bonus with my referral.
Want to Drive for Lyft? Click here and get up to $750 sign-up bonus with my referral.
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How to become an Uber driver – step-by-step guide
Step 1 – Complete an application online here.
- Provide your personal information so that Uber can perform a background check.
- Provide vehicle information and pictures (front & rear bumper and interior).
- Upload driver’s license, car registration, and insurance.
Step 2 – Get your car inspected.
Uber has a car inspection station in many cities where they’ll inspect your car at no cost. Uber sometimes even offers cash bonuses for getting your car inspection done at one of their locations. I received $100 bonus for the inspection in addition to the sign-up bonus.
You can also have a 3rd party inspect your car.
Here’s what’s on the vehicle inspection form. It’s very simple stuff. They just want to make sure that your car is in normal working order: lights, seat belts, etc.
Step 3 – Pass the background check.
After step 1 and 2 are done, you just wait until your background check has cleared.
They check, if you’ve had any of the following in the past 7 years:
- DUI or drug-related offenses.
- Driving without insurance or license.
- Fatal accidents or a history of reckless driving.
- Criminal history.
It only took 3 days for mine to go through, but it can take more than a week. During this time, you’ll receive a kit in the mail. It contains a small Welcome manual, an aux cord, and an “Uber” sticker to display on the inside windshield of your car.
Start driving!
After these 3 steps are completed you can start driving. You should receive an e-mail from Uber letting you know you are activated. If you don’t receive one within a few days after completing these steps, then you can either contact your local Uber support team or follow these instructions:
- Log in to the Uber partner app on Android or iPhone and sign in.
- You should see a button at the top of the screen that says “Go Online”. Click on that and one of two things will happen.
- You see a message saying that you are not approved to drive yet. If this happens, make sure you completed all of the steps above. Also, check your e-mail to see if Uber sent you anything asking you to upload documents, etc. If you’re sure you completed everything then you may still have to wait on the background check. Sometimes, but rarely, they take a couple weeks to process. Contact your local Uber support team and ask the status of your application.
- The other thing that will happen is a map appears where you can start accepting ride requests. This indicates that you are approved and can start driving.
Congratulations!
$500 sign-up bonus for Uber with my referral!
$750 sign-up bonus for Lyft with my referral!
What are the requirements to become an Uber driver?
You will be approved if you meet all of the Uber driver requirements.
Here is a brief summary:
- You must be 21 years of age or older.
- You must have a car that is year 2000 or newer (year requirements vary by city).
- You must have in-state license, car registration, and auto insurance.
- You must pass a background check.
How long does it take to be activated as an Uber driver?
After you’ve finished your application online, you should be able to start driving within a week. In rare cases the background check can take up to two weeks.
Once you’re activated (Uber will send you an e-mail), you are good to go! You just log into the Uber driver app and click “Go Online”.
Should you buy a car?
If your car doesn’t meet the requirements for your city, or you plan on driving a lot and your car has very poor gas mileage, then you may want to consider buying a different car.
I highly recommend that you do not buy a new car, because the depreciation is much higher than with a used car. Get one that is around 5 years old. Driving full time, you could put up to 1000 miles a week on your car. If you consider leasing a car, make sure you know how many miles you can drive per year without any extra charges.
Consider investing in a hybrid, or at least a car with good gas mileage. A hybrid is more fuel efficient in city traffic, which will most likely be the bulk of your driving . My average speed is 18 mph here in Los Angeles and my 2010 Toyota Corolla gets 23 city-mpg. In comparison, a 2010 Toyota Prius gets 51 city-mpg. I spend about $400 a month on gas, so a Prius would save me about $200. That’s more than the difference in monthly payments for a Prius of the same year!
How much money will you make driving for Uber?
The truth is, it varies depending on where you live, what the local market is like, and obviously how much time you spend driving. I make between $15 and $25 an hour after Uber’s commission, taxes, fuel, and other car expenses. Read the full post about how much money I make driving for Uber.
There are a few things you can do to maximize your earnings.
Be a smart driver by:
- Dual driving for both Uber and Lyft.
- Driving during peak hours.
- Driving in the morning when there is less competition from other Uber drivers.
- Using a fuel efficient car.
- Not chasing surges.
…See you on the road!
Please leave a comment if you have any questions about how to become an Uber driver.
Click here! Make up to $500 sign-up bonus for Uber with this referral link.
Click here! Make up to $750 sign-up bonus for Lyft with this referral link.
Thanks for your post, I uploaded all of my documents and now I’m waiting for approval. Do you know if I can still use your “referral” even though I signed up already? Also, one document that the site is asking me for I don’t have, it’s the “receipt for inspection.” I went to a licensed mechanic and he filled out the Uber inspection form with all of his credentials, but because he didn’t charge me for the inspection, he didn’t give me a receipt. I wrote a letter explaining and and uploaded it in lieu of a receipt, I hope it works. What I learned from your post is that it could take up to a week for approval, I didn’t know that so I was logging in every few hours to check. I will check out Lyft, and use your referral. Thanks again.
Okay, I’m all set with Lyft, I scheduled my mentor app. for Monday. Thank you. (I used your referral code).
Good luck 🙂
How do we get Uber of Lyft into our city?
Bev, as far as I know, there is no way of bringing Uber or Lyft to your city. However, both companies are aggressively expanding so they may be coming to your city soon anyway.
Hi,my name’s Robert, I have already have doctor appointment for next monday but I have not received the form to give to the doctor for the medical examination.How can I get this form quick.
Hey Robert. There is no medical exam required in most cities.
Hi Aaron,I’m living in London,I don’t know if wil be diferent requeriments in other cities,but I know I need doctor examination and bring to him tph/203 /204 form singed stamped and fill up by the doctor to became a uber driver
Try contacting your local Uber support team. They should be able to give you whatever forms you need. http://driveuberuki.com/contact
Can 2 people use/register the same car for the uber driver?
To our knowledge, yes. Your name has to be on the insurance for the car.
Hi I hear Uber and Lyft in New York City make expceptuons for older cars I want to drive a 2004 cayenne in great condition would that pass requirements and tlc code? Also when applying does your drivers license address have to be your current address? Last question do you hold title of your car? My father holds title but I am registration and have all insurance in my name. Lastly do your referral fees apply to NYC? Tx so much
As far as we know, the address on your driver license is not an issue when applying to drive with Uber. Generally, your name has to be on the insurance of the vehicle you use as an Uber driver. Local requirements may vary. The referral bonus should apply for NYC.
Hi, your information is awesome! Thinking about driving for Uber. Moved to Chicago from Florida 1.5 years ago and we are just getting around to changing our plates, licenses etc. Since we know for sure we are staying. I’m wondering if the insurance on the car needs to be in my name as well as my partners. He currently is the only one on the policy but I would be the one driving for Uber.
Everything else seems pretty easy.
Thankyou!!
Generally, the name of the driver driving for Uber needs to be on the insurance of the car. Insurance requirements may vary, depending on the city and area.
Hi Aaron,
I’m Jonas, from Brazil!
I’m about to move to California, next month (december), and I would love to work as an Lyft and Uber driver.
As soon as I get there, I’ll take my state drivers license with my social security.
Well, I already check the car requirements, and a 2014 Corolla should be fine, but, I don’t own a 3y american driver license. So I was wondering if I can use my brazilian license just as way to prove that I drive since 2004.
Is this possible?
Also, I can take an international Drivers License (just to prove when I started to drive).
Thanks a lot
Jonas Rodrigues
In the US, you need a US driver license to drive for Uber. You can contact Uber for specific questions about driver license requirements.
Hi Jonas, did it work out?
My boyfriend and my share a car. He was interested in starting to do this but the car and all its info is in my name. Curious if that is okay or not?
To our knowledge, the driver’s name needs to be on the insurance of the car that you’re using to drive for uber. Local requirements may vary.
What do you mean by “not chasing surges”, to become a smart driver? Thanks!
hi im emmanuel,i want to know first if i qualify to driver for uber,i dont have the car yet,cause i drive a 199 accord coupe,so meanwhile i want to run a check for me and my license with uber to see if i qualify,if i qualify then i go and get a car cause i already went to a used dealer car,and they run a credit chck and i was aproved to finance a 2011 4dr accord,so please let me know how i do that with you guys,waiting for your soon replay,emmanuel,heres my email manuelxenon@hotmail.com,thanks.
Contact Uber directly for this specific background check question. You can always sign up and see how far you get. There is no risk there.
Is that possiblr you could list down the city or state which don’t need vehicle inspection? Some cities are requiring more beside vehicle inspection.
We’re working on it. Thanks for the input!
Do not have a smart phone. Have I-Pad can you use your I Pad to connect with customers? If you have to have smart phone what brand is best to buy?
unless you have a wifi connector in your car or 4g in your ipad then youll need to get a smart phone. i suggest the iphone because the layout is the same as the ipad so itll be easier for you to use.
They offer an uber phone for 10 bucks a week ive heard
Dear aaron,
I signed up with uber through your webpage here. As you can see, there is a lyft referral code yet no referral code for uber, This is rediculous, I clicked on the uber “$350 link” and when it came time to input a code I hit a brick wall, despite getting the message on uber website “aaron sent you $500” I thought that would’ve been enough. If you could set up an email correspondence with me so I can get my incentive that would be great. Thanks, liferocks@comcast.net.
Hi
Hi Aaron I just sign up yesterday didn’t know about invite code. Can I get now
Hi Aaron, I used mcc25 which is your referral code. In order to use this, I need to provide Uber your last name. Will you please email me at wisucprojectATgmailDOTcom with your last name? Thanks!
Hello Aaron, I am signing up to drive for Uber. Thank you for the step-by-step information. Will you please email me your last name + referral code at joshuaweston79ATgmaildotcom.
Thanks and have a great weekend.
This is totally lame and incorrect. Please take it down or be subject to legal proceedings.
You need a licence, inspection sticker and insurance. You may looses your personal insurance if you make a false claim because transporting livery or riders for income.in your personal car does not qualify for personal car insurance coverage.
I’m frustrated and I’m wondering if anyone else had the same problems I have had signing up to be a driver for Uber. I have passed the background check now two times. I have submitted all of my paperwork. I had even gone to the extent of driving an hour from my home to have my vehicle inspected by them and receive the welcome kit. I have yet to receive an email or any other communication indicating I am activated. Instead, I have received numerous emails and texts asking me for additional copies of things and another background check all that has passed. Twice!
It has been nearly two weeks since I started the process.
Yes! I’m having the exact same problem!!!! So frustrating! Can’t get any answers through on line help, no phone number to call. Passed background, completed vehicle inspection. After a week it tells me it’s expired! I want to pull my hair out. No where to go for answers
I had to have passed the background check on May 23rd and noticed that my driver account says wait listed when I log into Uber on my desktop to check status. What does this mean?
I’m retired and uber looks like it could be a good p/t job for me. My question is how little can you drive per week/month? Could I work 3 hours per day for example or not work some weeks at all. The flexibility would be most important to me. Thanks.
Hello .. can i use a rental car ??
If a vehicle is registered in my name, but I add my boyfriend to my insurance policy with the proper commercial insurance, license and plates, can he drive my car for Uber or must he be the vehicle owner?
Hi Aaron, I signed up with uber using your referral code and did my firest 75 rides, but there seem to be some issues and they need a few information in order to look into this referral. They’re asking for email address, phone number, and name of the person who referred me. It would be much appreciated if you could provide me with this information to my email Tuanscao@yahoo.com. Thank you
Tuan/Aaron,
I was asked the same. What do I do?
Thanks
Can i drive in the state of pennslyvania with a licence plate and licence of another state? My residence place is MD and Pennslyvania is the place of my job.
So I am Interested in working with uber, and I was thinking of getting a new car and pay it by working for uber and paying my insurance with my regular job. I have a few questions.
how much is tax payment on uber, is it taken automatically of the income we make, or do we have to make the payment?
also how would you know if we have 3 years of experience driving or less?
I just turned 21 and i was thinking about trying out for uber but i have got a bad driving record got into an accident when i first got my license and got pulled over with suspended license i was wondering if anybody know if i would still be able to drive with uber with these type of things on my driving record just making sure before i get my car checked up and do all other stuff.. thank you