It’s part of the preliminaries
Signing up with Uber is fairly simple, and you’re in control of most of it. Upload your license, registration, and proof of insurance, and you’re almost there.
But the final part of applying to be a driver, the background check, is a little more complex and isn’t something you can find out about on the spot. You’ll have to wait until Uber has completed a full check of your driving history and criminal record to make sure letting you drive for the company isn’t a risky proposition.
The wait, in most cases, isn’t that long. You’ll usually hear back from Uber within three to five days unless there are delays, such as county records that aren’t available electronically.
Who’s looking into your background?
Uber uses a third party company, Checkr, to perform background checks on potential drivers. If your check comes back clean, an Uber representative will contact you after the company has had time to review it. Be patient. Once Uber is confident that your background doesn’t pose a risk, if everything else is in order they will be happy to welcome you as a driver.
Uber will also contact you if anything turns up on your record that could make you an unsafe driver.
While you’re waiting for the results of your background check, you can log into Checkr’s Candidate Portal, fill out a brief online form, and find out your status.
What are they looking for?
You may have heard that Uber often gets sued by riders, drivers, and even the states where the company operates. Because of the litigation risk, Uber must protect itself from any liability associated with exposing a potentially dangerous person to the public. Background checks vastly reduce that liability.
Equally or even more important than the threat of litigation is Uber’s responsibility to keep riders and drivers safe. That’s why your DMV records, as well as any criminal records, will be thoroughly reviewed during this phase of your onboarding with Uber.
To pass the background check, you must have a valid driver’s license from a U.S. state for at least one year, and for at least three years if you’re 22 or younger. (Just in case you were wondering, this time requirement doesn’t include learner’s permit driving time.)
Your license must not have any disqualifying records, which might include:
- Major moving violations, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) or reckless driving, within the last seven years
- More than three minor moving violations in the past three years, such as speeding tickets (20+ mph over the speed limit), or failure to obey traffic laws
If you have a criminal record, it must be free of:
- Felony convictions
- Violent crimes
- Sexual offenses for the last seven years
- Outstanding charges that haven’t yet been resolved in your favor
Note that this is a general list of qualifications; some states have stricter standards than others. In California, for example, you must not have had a DUI conviction within the last ten years.
In New York City, rather than background checks being performed by Checkr, the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) will perform the check as part of its licensing procedure. You must be licensed by the TLC to drive for Uber in New York City.
Check your locality for the standards and the number of years required for Uber to clear your background check and allow you to drive.
Will they check my credit?
No, Uber will not check your credit unless you’re renting a car through them. If you’re using your own car to drive for Uber, you won’t need to worry about a credit check.
Is all this checking confidential?
Yes, background checks are completely confidential. Personnel at Checkr, as well as those at Uber who review the results, are forbidden from sharing information about you outside the purpose of conducting the background check and determining if you qualify to be a driver.
What’s this background check going to cost me?
The background check is totally covered by Uber. It won’t cost you anything except the time and trouble of submitting your information and waiting for the results.
Can I monitor the background check process?
Uber won’t usually contact you until the background check is complete. If you’re curious about how it’s coming along, you can visit Checkr’s Candidate Portal, or check your status in the Uber app by tapping My Profile. You’ll be able to see what your status is based on the word used to describe it. For instance …
- Onboarding is Uber’s way of saying your documents and background check are under review;
- Waitlisted can mean there are issues with your documents. Or, if you’re already a driver, Uber might be re-running your background check;
- Consider is a yellow light that could turn red. It means your background check is being closely reviewed because there are issues;
- Active means you’re good to go. You can move into driver mode and start earning money;
- Rejected is exactly what the word implies: you didn’t get accepted, or you were deactivated. You can try to reapply, but your first step is finding out why you weren’t approved.
What can I do if I get rejected?
First, don’t panic; mistakes can be made during the background check. If you believe that you meet all the qualifications to be a driver, and you’ve been rejected, it’s worth contacting both Uber and Checkr to find out what’s going on.
If a problem is found with the background report, you’ll receive an email from Checkr, so you can first try replying to that. Checkr doesn’t have the last word, though, when it comes to whether or not you’ll be activated.
If you can get Checkr to amend the report by correcting the error, you’ll then have to re-submit it to Uber.
Remember, however, that Uber cannot do anything to change the results of your background check. Rather, the company uses the findings to make a determination as to whether you’re eligible to drive.
If you want an explanation about why you’ve been rejected, you can request that by getting in touch with Uber. You can call or email, but for something this personal and important, you may want to visit an Uber Hub in person. Here’s a list of all the hubs with addresses, driving directions, phone numbers, and business hours.
Although it’s important to advocate for yourself, Uber officials won’t change their minds about the results unless there really is something incomplete or inaccurate in your original background report.
Once it’s over, will I have to go through the background check again?
Uber will repeat the background check at least once a year. They’ll want to know whether you’ve received any recent citations or if any new criminal charges have been filed against you.
As long as Uber’s standards remain the same from year to year, and you haven’t had any new citations or criminal charges, you’ll remain in good standing with the company. If, on the other hand, Uber does change its standards and your record doesn’t meet them, you could be deactivated.
It is also possible that another employee could review your background check after the first review, and make a different decision. It always pays to contact Uber if you have questions about your status as a driver, and why it might have changed.
Be safe, stay safe
Being a rideshare driver requires you to be safe and responsible, both on and off the road. Protect yourself, protect your riders, and keep the Uber community safe.
