My one-year driving for Uber anniversary is coming up. Yeah, it’s only been a year and my life has changed like crazy – for the better – in just 12 months! No more boring day jobs, no more rigid schedules or irritating bosses (the last supervisor at my day job asked me if I could help him sign up to drive with Uber when I ran into him…go figure). And I actually spend my time working for something that I am excited about: making transportation more efficient, affordable and flexible, while being on my own schedule.

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Since it’s been one year I’ve been driving for Uber, my annual vehicle inspection is coming up and I’d like to share the experience with you. I get lots of questions like “how do I schedule an appointment with Uber to get my vehicle inspected?” or “where do I get my Uber car inspection to start driving?” So let’s shed some light on that.

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Where Can I Find Uber Car Inspection Stations?

Los Angeles is now packed with Uber car inspection stations. When I started driving for Uber a year ago, there were only a fraction of the inspection stations they have today. I picked the station on 1633 Purdue Ave in West LA, about 15 minutes from where I live. The process itself is very simple: you just pull into an Uber car inspection station, park, register, get your vehicle inspected, upload the documents and you’re done. An Uber car inspection station is usually just a big parking lot with some tables and tents set up. It’s quite basic.

You can find the closest vehicle inspection station here, but first I’ll help you navigate your way:

Select your city:

Click “Get Started” on the menu:

 Click on “Vehicle Inspections”:

If there are Uber activation centers in your city, they will be displayed on the page.

What If There’s No Uber Car Inspection Station Close By?

If there’s no official Uber car inspection station near where you are, no problem. You can get your car inspected by a third party. Make sure to bring the Official Uber Inspection Form with you.

Uber gives you a few options to get your vehicle inspection done:

Option 1: Certain areas and Cities have negotiated a fixed price with participating mechanics. There’ll be a link to a list of participating locations on the page. Pricing is usually around $20 for a car inspection.

Option 2: Get your vehicle inspected at a BAR certified auto shop close to you. BAR means Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Option 3: Uber is partnering with Your Mechanic. Your Mechanic is a service that comes to where you are. You’ll get a fixed upfront price, book an appointment, and then conveniently make your payment. The mechanic will come to your address, complete a full Uber vehicle inspection plus an oil change for $50.

Use our link and get $20 off your first YourMechanic. 🙂

My Uber Car Inspection Report

Last Monday, I finally took the time to get my Uber car inspection done. But before I got myself to do that on the one rainy day in LA in weeks, I needed some coffee, of course. (I guess I really don’t like ‘duties’ like that ;))

Uber Vehicle Inspection: The Basics

Here’s some basic info first regarding your upcoming Uber vehicle inspection: Uber has car inspection stations set up in most cities where Uber operates. See the list of different options to get your Uber vehicle inspection done above. When you bring your car to an Uber Activation Center, they’ll inspect it at no cost and usually pretty quickly while you’re waiting. In certain areas and cities, Uber pays a cash bonus when you get your first car inspection.

What Are The Items On The Checklist?

So what are the inspectors looking for when they check your vehicle? First, they’ll ask you for the year, make and model of your vehicle. Mostly, you’ll have to turn on and off headlights, signal, honk, step on the brake, etc. The inspector will also open and close your doors, adjust your front seats and test the seat belts. The inspection itself doesn’t take more than 10-15 minutes.

This is the complete list of items they will check:

• Lights:
  • Headlights
  • Tail lights
  • Turn indicator lights
  • Brake lights
• Brakes and steering:
  • Brake pads/shoe thickness
  • Emergency/parking brake
  • Steering mechanism
• Windows and other glass:
  • Windshield
  • Rear window and other glass
  • Windshield wipers
• Seats and doors:
  • Front seat adjustment
  • Safety belts for driver and each passenger
  • Doors (open / close / lock)
• Other items:
  • Horn
  • Speedometer
  • Bumpers
  • Muffler and exhaust system
  • Tires, including tread depth
  • Interior and exterior rear view mirrors

Pass Or Fail?

I do take really good care of my car, so I was pretty confident that I’d pass the Uber car inspection. Everything is super clean and well maintained, so all should be good, right? When the inspector was done, he looked at me, holding his report “Hey Aaron, I’m sorry, I can’t pass you today.”….”Oh…Why?”. I have to admit, I was surprised. But, my left brake light wasn’t working. Hmm, so…

What To Do When You Fail The Vehicle Inspection?

If the reason you’re not passing is minor, such as my brake light not working, they can put your car inspection on hold for the day, and pass you when you return the same day with the item(s) fixed. If you can’t get it fixed the same day, you’ll fail and have to do the inspection all over again.

So I needed a new brake light. I just took off to the closest Autozone, got a new brake light bulb and they even put it in for me (no way I would have figured out how to do that…). So that’s done.

Inspection Passed!

Back at the Uber car inspection station, the inspector that started the process had already left. No problem, Brittany, the girl who took over for him, checked my brand new brake light and…I passed!

After that, I decided to treat myself to Uber Eats for the first time. I’ll let you know how that went…

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Uber Driver Requirements

Do you want to become an Uber driver but don’t know what the Uber driver requirements are? It can be challenging to find all the information about the requirements for Uber drivers on official Uber sites. In this post, I will show you all the necessary requirements to drive for Uber. If you do fulfill the requirements, it is a pretty simple process to sign up to drive.

Here are the detailed requirements to drive for Uber:

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Uber Driver Requirements

Uber Driver Age Requirements

• You must be 21 years of age or older.
• You must have 3 years driving experience. If you have recently moved from another state, you may have to verify your driving history. Keep your out-of-state drivers license. You might need it.

Other Uber Driver Requirements

• You need to have in-state car insurance in your name.
• You must have in-state car registration. It does not need to be in your name.
• You must have an in-state Driver’s License.
• You must have a Social Security Number for a background check.

Background Check

• Clean driving record.
• Pass a background check.

The background check is done by a company called Hirease. It will take a few days.

Background check: make sure that in the past 7 years you have had…

• No DUI or drug-related offenses.
• No incidents of driving without insurance or license.
• No fatal accidents
• No history of reckless driving.
• No criminal history.

Uber Driver Car Requirements

You must have a vehicle (or purchase one) that meets the Uber Car Requirements.

The UberX vehicle requirements are:

• 4-door sedan, must seat 4 or more passengers excluding driver.
• Year 2001* or newer.
• In-state plates.
• No marked, taxi, or salvaged vehicles.
• Pass Uber vehicle inspection.
• The car must be currently registered, but your name does not have to be on the registration.

*Uber car year requirements can vary by city. It is currently year 2001 or newer in many cities.

What if I want to drive for Uber BLACK?

What are the UberBLACK driver requirements?

There are different requirements if you want to drive for Uber Black. The Uber BLACK driver requirements are commercial licensing, insurance and registration. Also, the Uber Black service requires you to have a luxury vehicle.

Becoming an Uber BLACK driver is more involved than becoming an UberX driver. You must have commercial car insurance, a TCP, and an airport permit in most cities. If you want to drive for Uber Black – follow the step-by-step instructions for your city here, including a detailed list of the Uber BLACK car requirements.

How do you apply to become an Uber driver?

You can read the full detailed step-by-step guide to becoming an Uber driver here.

A brief summary of the steps:

Step 1 – Complete an application online here.

Step 2 – Get your car inspected at one of the Uber inspection stations or at a 3rd party.

Step 3 – Wait for the background check to clear.

Step 4 – Start driving!

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What if I don’t meet all the Uber driver requirements?

Here are the reasons why you might not be accepted to drive for Uber and what you can do to about it:

You are not 21 years old. 

Sorry but at the moment you will just have to wait until you are old enough or Uber changes the age requirement.

You don’t have a Social Security Number or are not allowed to work in the U.S.

You should consult an immigration attorney about this. Uber may let you sign up to drive if you have a SSN even if your visa does not allow you to work in the U.S., but this is not recommended as it may violate the terms of your visa.

You didn’t pass the background check.

If you requested a copy of the background check when you applied, then you should see why you are not accepted. Unfortunately there isn’t much you can do about it other than wait. Most offenses are taken off your record after 7 years.

Your car doesn’t qualify.

If your car doesn’t qualify then consider getting an upgrade. You can often find great deals on used cars. The increased income from driving for Uber should more than compensate for a small monthly car payment.Check out our list of the best cars to drive for Uber.

You don’t have the required in-state documents.

You must have an in-state license, in-state registration and in-state insurance. If you don’t have these then you will have to get them.

Conclusion

The best way to find out if you meet all of the Uber driver requirements is to just apply. It is quick and easy. In addition, if you sign up with our referral link you can get a cash bonus.

Sign up to drive with Uber for a cash bonus!

Do you want to become a Lyft driver? I highly recommend even if you drive for Uber that you give Lyft a try too. The Lyft driver requirements are very similar to Uber’s requirements. You can be signed-in to both the Uber and Lyft driver apps at the same time which may increase how much you make.

Best of all: Lyft allows riders to tip directly on the app. So sign up for both and maximize your earnings.

How to Become a Lyft Driver

Becoming a Lyft driver is not difficult. You will fill out a driver application and take a Welcome Ride. During this ride, a Lyft mentor will inspect your car and give you a practice drive, just to make sure you are friendly and drive safely. He/she will also take some pictures and show you how to use the Lyft app. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you have about driving for Lyft.

If you meet all of the Lyft driver requirements and pass the welcome ride, you will be able to start driving.

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Lyft Driver Requirements

Here are the requirements to become a Lyft driver. You must:

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Have at least 1 year of driving history
• Drive a 2003 or newer 4-door car*
• Have an in-state drivers license
• Have in-state registration
• Have in-state auto insurance in your name
• Have a smart phone

*Lyft car year requirements may vary by city to comply with local laws.

You must also pass a background check and have a clean driving history.

In the past 7 years you must have:

• No DUI or drug-related offenses.
• No driving without insurance or license.
• No fatal accidents or history of reckless driving.
• No criminal history.

Lyft Car Requirements

To drive for Lyft, your vehicle must meet the Lyft car requirements. They are:

• Must be 2003 or newer.
• Current in-state license plates.
• Tires have sufficient tread.
• Windows and windshield must work and be free of large cracks.
• Wipers must be in good condition.
• All lights must work.
• Horn must work.
• 5 working seatbelts.
• Seat adjusters must work.
• All doors and locks must work.
• Working A/C and heat.

Lyft Welcome Ride

Once you’ve completed your driver application you will take the Welcome Ride. You meet up with a Lyft mentor who will verify that you meet all the Lyft requirements. He/she will take a picture of your drivers license, registration, and car insurance, and then give you a practice ride to see if you can be friendly and drive while obeying all traffic laws at the same time.

The mentor will also show you how to use the Lyft app and inspect your vehicle to make sure it meets all of the Lyft driver car requirements.

Activation

If you meet the Lyft requirements, pass the welcome ride, and pass the background check (may take a few days), then you will be approved to start driving. Lyft guides you through the entire process so check your e-mail regularly.

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below.

Happy driving!

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Image Credit: Easa Shamih. Some changes were made.

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:

1. Log in to the Uber partner app on Android or iPhone and sign in.
2. 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.
   1. 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.
   2. 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!

 

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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:

1. Dual driving for both Uber and Lyft.
2. Driving during peak hours.
3. Driving in the morning when there is less competition from other Uber drivers.
4. Using a fuel efficient car.
5. Not chasing surges.

…See you on the road!

Please leave a comment if you have any questions about how to become an Uber driver.

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