How To Become an Uber Driver: Requirements and Tips

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Uber lets drivers earn money with flexible hours, but you’ll need to meet some of the key requirements first before becoming a driver. You’ll need to be at least 21, pass a background check and make sure your car is no older than 15 years old. Here’s everything else you need to know.

How To Become an Uber Driver: Steps and Requirements

If you’re interested in becoming a driver, all you need to do is visit the Uber website and sign up. Before you do that, however, double-check to make sure you meet the qualifications.

Qualifications

To be an Uber driver, you must:

• Be at least 21 years of age
• Have a minimum of one year of driving experience in the U.S., or three years if you’re under 23 years old
• Possess a valid U.S. driver’s license, proof of car insurance and valid registration for the car you intend to use

Car Requirements To Drive for Uber

Depending on where you live, the Uber car requirements vary. If your car doesn’t meet the qualifications, or you need a vehicle, that’s no problem. Uber offers affordable car leases for drivers of all credit levels.

Here are the general requirements for Uber vehicles:

• Must be no more than 15 years old
• Must have four doors and seat four passengers
• No rented or leased vehicles unless Uber-approved
• No salvaged, reconstructed or rebuilt vehicles
• No cosmetic damage or commercial branding
• Must pass safety inspection in the state where registered.

Background Check With Uber

Uber conducts a driving history and criminal history background check on each applicant. The criminal history includes a national, state and local-level check, and any hits are researched and verified before drivers are accepted.

As part of the procedure, applicants must submit the following items:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Driver’s license number

How Uber Pay Works

Driving for Uber offers a way to build up a side income on your terms. Uber drivers can work any time, day or night, any day of the week. They can set their own hours and can get paid almost instantly.

Instant Pay Feature With Uber

Earnings are easily accessible. With Instant Pay, drivers have the option to transfer their pay into their bank accounts up to six times a day.

According to the Uber website, trip fares are calculated from the following:

• Base fare or price of pickup
• Total time of trip
• Distance in miles or kilometers
• Surge pricing, which means that during peak times, higher “surge rates” may apply
• Tolls and other fees, if applicable

Driver payments are calculated adding the base fare, time rate and distance rate and multiplying the sum by any surge multiplier.

After that, the Uber fee, tolls and other fees are subtracted to determine the driver payment.

It would look like this:

Calculating Uber Driver Payments

Driver earnings = (Base fare + Time + Distance) x Surge multiplier – Uber fees – Tolls

The type of vehicle you drive and the city where you work will also affect the base fare, time and distance rates that Uber charges riders. For example, with bigger cars that hold more passengers, you can often charge higher rates.

Ultimately, how much you earn through Uber varies dramatically. For example, someone driving for the app 40 hours a week is likely to earn more than someone only working this side hustle a few hours a week. Additionally, where you live and the demand for drivers will impact your earnings.

What Insurance Do You Need?

Uber requires all of its drivers to maintain adequate car insurance. To be accepted as an Uber driver, you must show the company that you have all of the following levels of insurance:

• Comprehensive or third-party property damage coverage
• Be listed as insured on the policy, even if you are driving a car owned by someone else
• The insurance must display an active expiration date.

In some cases, you’ll need to switch up your insurance policy to get the appropriate levels of coverage. But some insurers offer a rideshare add-on to your existing policy; that way, you won’t have to switch your insurance provider.

How Taxes Work

In most jurisdictions, Uber drivers are classified as independent contractors. This means that Uber does not withhold taxes for drivers. Every driver is responsible for filing their own taxes.

Uber does provide detailed tax information to drivers, but the company doesn’t give tax advice. They recommend that drivers use reputable tax preparation services like TurboTax for tax help.

Pro Tip for Filing Your Taxes

As you earn money through Uber, consider setting aside your taxes upfront. Tucking your tax dollars into a separate savings account can make tax time less stressful. Otherwise, you might find yourself scraping up funds to cover your tax bill at the end of the year.

How To Earn More With Uber

Here are some ideas to consider if you want to make as much money as possible with Uber:

• Consider fuel usage: Use a fuel-efficient car to minimize your gas expenses. Although Uber offers discount fuel rewards to qualifying partners, for the most part, drivers pay for their own gas.
• Use the app during busy periods: Drive during peak hours whenever possible. This is when opportunities for passengers are highest.
• Branch out: Consider driving for Uber Eats or doing deliveries for even more earnings.
• Create a positive customer experience: Always accept tips through the Uber Driver App, which gives riders the option to add a tip when rating a completed trip. You might be able to boost your tip opportunities by creating a smooth ride, clean vehicle and friendly service.

What To Consider Before Starting

Although driving for Uber can be a great way to earn extra money, there are potential drawbacks to think about:

• Be prepared for gas and maintenance costs. Operating your car will be your biggest expense as an Uber driver. The costs of gas and maintenance will come out of your profits.
• You still need insurance. Even though Uber provides some supplemental insurance whenever your Uber App is on and you’re driving for them, you still need to insure your car.
• Wear and tear wears out your vehicle over time: Consider how much of a toll wear and tear that driving takes on your vehicle, even if you don’t notice issues immediately.
• Cleaning fees work: Collect a cleaning fee if someone makes a mess in your vehicle. Document the required steps to ensure your claims are supported.

If you believe driving for Uber is right for you, there’s no time like the present. Visit the company website. Read the Uber blog for tips and advice on maximizing your earnings for the time spent in your car.

Pros and Cons of Driving for Uber

Before you jump into driving for Uber, consider the following advantages and disadvantages:

Final Take

Now that you know more about how to become an Uber driver, you have a better idea of whether or not it’s a good fit for your situation. Remember, as an independent contractor, you can easily choose to stop working for Uber at any time if you don’t like it. With that, it might not hurt to give it a try.

Ready to get started? Visit Uber’s sign-up page and start earning on your schedule today.

Sarah Sharkey contributed to the reporting for this article.

This article has been updated with additional reporting since its original publication.

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