Uber is the world’s most popular ride-sharing platform, founded in San Francisco in 2009. It was supposed to be a solution for poorly-funded public transportation and expensive taxi services. People quickly discovered and appreciated the company, which is now present in over 60 countries, and almost 500 cities. Moreover, it rapidly expands, and at the moment it’s the biggest company of this type all over the world. It happens because people are willing not only to use such services but also to provide them.
It’s a perfect type of job, especially for those who want to have flexible working hours and get paid weekly. However, to get the post, you have to be at least 23 years old and own a car that meets certain requirements. What are they? You will find the answer below.
Car requirements
There’s a variety of requirements that your car has to meet to be accepted. The most critical one is the car age. Of course, the newer the vehicle is, the better, but only cars up to 10 years old are welcome. But, if your vehicle is older than that, don’t worry. You still may apply in some countries, because not all of them have exactly the same, strict policy. How can you check what the requirements in your city are? It’s simple – just type a question “what are the Uber car requirements in” and name your city in the search engine. You will know the answer in a couple of seconds.
The other requirements are pretty straightforward. Of course, the car must have seats and seat belts for five people (including the driver). On top of that, it has to be a four-door vehicle, truck or minivan. In essence, many different Uber cars are welcome because the customers have different needs, and the company strives to provide the best possible customer service. It’s good if your vehicle has a manual gearbox, but if it doesn’t have one, don’t worry – it’s not a must.
Other than that, your car has to be checked – if it won’t pass a vehicle inspection, then there is no way that you can use it for transportation. Safety is an essential part of Uber policy – the company has always paid attention to this matter, since the very beginning.
Background check
It’s fantastic if your car meets all the requirements, but there’s also something called background check, and if you are thinking of becoming an Uber driver, you’ll have to do it. After all, you wouldn’t like to travel with somebody you don’t know unless you are 100% sure that it is safe, right? Even if you have a brand new car, you still have to undergo this procedure, and there are no exceptions.
So, what exactly is a background check? It is an Uber scanning system that every candidate has to undergo. A third-party company performs such a check, and they look at your public records. Once they are done, they send the report to Uber, and your application is either accepted or rejected. This procedure is free, so don’t worry about it.
Keep in mind that it’s not a one-time check only. If you want to be an Uber driver, you’ll have to undergo it pretty much every year. Sometimes, when the background standards change, it will also be necessary to do an extra check. There is no set date, so you can expect it to happen anytime.
Background check criteria
What is taken into consideration? Many factors, but the most critical ones are your criminal background and driving record. People who have been convicted for a felony, violent crimes or sexual offences within the seven years won’t be hired. If you only have some lesser misdemeanours, you might apply. At worst, you won’t be hired, but lesser non-violent offences are tolerated.
What about driving records? It’s very simple. When it comes to the US, you’ll have to be at least 23 years old and have at least a year of driving experience. If you are not 23 years old, it still is possible to become an Uber driver, but you need to drive for at least three years. Driving under the influence is unwelcome, so people who were caught within the last ten years, shouldn’t bother applying – there is no way that Uber hires them.
When it comes to Motor Vehicle Report, it’s allowed to have three incidents in the past three years. Anything more than, and you shouldn’t apply. Also, drivers who have committed a speeding violation (20 mph and higher) within the past three years are unlikely to get this job.
Hopefully, this article helps. As you can see, there are quite a few car requirements, but on top of that, you also have to undergo a background check. If you pass it, then you are free to join the community of almost 4 million drivers, and enjoy your new, wonderful job. Congratulations!