How to Become an Uber Driver

Before you can start earning money as an Uber driver, you’ll need to get approved by the company. Start by reading the full list of Uber driver requirements to find out if you tick all their boxes.

Here’s a summary of what you’ll need to do:

• Meet minimum age requirements
• Hold a valid driver’s license
• Have 1–3 years of licensed driving experience (depending on your age)
• Provide proof of residency for your state
• Provide proof of vehicle insurance
• Pass a criminal background check and a driving record review

Make sure you have the right insurance

Providing proof of insurance is only the first step to becoming a certified Uber driver. Along with having personal auto insurance coverage, you’ll also need to ensure that your insurance provider knows you’re considering becoming a rideshare driver.

This may affect your rates, but it’s important. Insurance providers have the right to cancel your plan if they discover you’ve been dishonest or failed to disclose recent vehicle-related developments.

You can also consider getting dedicated rideshare insurance. Uber covers its drivers, but their coverage usually only kicks in once you’ve accepted a rideshare request, and not when you’re in-between rides.

Regardless of how you plan to give rides, you’ll need to meet Uber’s vehicle requirements. Make sure that your car ticks all the boxes below:

• Has four doors and seating for at least four passengers
• Is no more than 12 years old
• Is not salvaged, reconstructed, or rebuilt
• Has no cosmetic damage, missing pieces, taxi paint, or commercial branding
• Is properly insured

The criteria above should be pretty easy to meet, provided you have a car that’s in relatively good condition. Even if you don’t, there’s good news: As an Uber driver, you can choose between either using your own personal car or renting a car through Uber.

Using your own car

If you plan on giving Uber rides in your own vehicle, you’ll need to provide proof that it’s insured. Every state has its own car insurance requirements, so it’s important to only drive for Uber in the state you’re insured in. The proof of insurance must be in your name and be personal vehicle insurance.

Additionally, you’ll need to have your vehicle inspected for approval, which you can do by taking it to an Uber Greenlight Hub or scheduling an annual vehicle inspection at a local inspection center. Requirements vary by city, so check the Uber website for specific guidance on how to get your vehicle approved where you live.

Renting an Uber vehicle

If you don’t have a car or you don’t want to use your own vehicle to drive for Uber, you can rent one to use for your ridesharing hustle. There’s just one catch: You can’t rent a car from just any rental company. Instead, you need to go through one of Uber’s partners.

Uber rideshare car rentals start as low as $260 per month. Naturally, newer and more expensive cars have higher rental fees. Prices may also vary depending on the city and state you’re operating in.

Uber rentals come with their own insurance and only require a small deposit to operate. They also require very little commitment since you can only sign short-term rental contracts. This means you can start and stop driving for Uber whenever you want, without having to worry about a lengthy contract.

If you’re looking to save on gas or be a little more environmentally conscious, electric vehicles are also available to rent in several cities.

Once you’ve confirmed that you meet Uber’s driver requirements and figured out what car you’d like to use, you need to sign up as a driver. There are two main ways to do this:

• In the Uber app: Download the Uber app to your mobile phone or device. Tap the button labeled “Account” at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen, and then select “Earn by driving or delivering.”
• On Uber’s website: Navigate to Uber’s homepage and click “Sign up to drive.”

Once you’ve completed the signup process and filled out all the required information, you’ll need to upload a profile picture, provide supporting documentation, and wait for approval. Once you’re approved, that’s it—you’re all set to start making money as an Uber driver.

Where to download the Uber app

App Store Google Play

Sometimes, succeeding as an Uber driver is about working smarter, not harder. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you make the most out of your career as a rideshare driver.

1. Research your area

It’s important to understand how and when people in your city tend to use rideshare apps. This will help you use your time wisely and take advantage of peak hours and surge pricing.

Do you live in a city with a big nightlife scene? Are people in your area rushing to work at 7 am every morning? Is there a big sports game coming up that people will be Ubering home from?

In addition to the Uber Driver app, Gridwise is a useful app you can use to assess your city’s peak hours. Facebook and Reddit may also be helpful.

2. Make your experience tip-worthy

Tips make up a small portion of your wages as an Uber driver, but they can really make a difference to your overall earnings over time.

Here are a few ways to maximize your Uber tips:

• Be punctual
• Keep your car clean and fresh
• Know when to spark conversation and when to keep quiet
• Ask about music and temperature preferences
• Help with luggage
• Invest in simple amenities (e.g., water, snacks, or chargers)

You’ll sometimes read that the norm is for riders to tip around 10%–20% of their fare, but realistically, that won’t always happen. The best thing you can do is provide optimal service and hope that riders compensate you fairly.

3. Take advantage of tax write-offs

When you’re working as an independent contractor, it’s your responsibility to withhold enough income to pay your taxes. You should always try to save at least 15% of your earnings every month.

Additionally, keep track of your expenses, including gas, vehicle repairs, and insurance costs. You may be able to write these off as business expenses at the end of the year.

If you file your self-employment taxes correctly, you could save thousands in taxes every year, bringing you one step closer to becoming a successful and high-earning Uber driver.

4. Understand your limitations

As a driver for Uber, you have to play by Uber’s rules. Here’s what you should know:

• Where you can drive: When you sign up to drive with Uber, you provide proof of residency and a state driver’s license. Uber may impose restrictions on where you’re allowed to offer lifts and how far you can go.
• How long you can drive: Different state and local governments impose limits on how many hours you can spend on a ridesharing platform like Uber without taking a break.
• Whether you can do airport pickups: Some airports have special guidelines you’ll have to adhere to when picking up a rider. Always check beforehand to avoid penalties or fines.

These limits are worth bearing in mind and factoring into your schedule and earnings calculations.

If you love being on the road, then driving for Uber is a good way to earn extra money. We’ve listed some of its perks below:

• Flexibility and convenience: Uber drivers don’t have set working hours. You can pick up rides whenever you want and spontaneously take time off if you don’t feel like working. Signing up for gigs is as simple as opening the Uber driver app.
• Quick payment: You can get paid weekly by bank deposit or cash out immediately after every ride with the Uber Pro Card or Instant Pay. 1 This is handy for making a quick buck when your wallet is starting to feel a little light.
• Constant movement: If you’re the type of person who doesn’t do well cooped up in an office, then an Uber driving career could feel like a breath of fresh air. You’ll have a constant change of scenery and always be on the move.
• Compatibility with other side hustles: An Uber driving side gig pairs well with other side hustles that involve driving, such as food delivery, rideshare driving with other companies, mystery shopping, and even mobile notary work.

Of course, driving for Uber also has downsides, too. You’ll have to deal with people, so this isn’t the best gig if you’re looking for a side hustle for introverts. You’ll also put wear and tear on your car, which you’ll be responsible for fixing.

Like the case with any job, it may take you a couple of months to figure out how to become an efficient and successful rideshare driver, so don’t be discouraged if your first few weeks are a little slow.

How much can you earn as an Uber driver?

You can expect to earn around $10–$15 per hour as an Uber driver. Your earnings will largely depend on your location, what you make in tips, and how much time you commit to this gig. To get a realistic idea, check out estimates for how much Uber drivers make in your city.

While part of Uber’s appeal is its flexibility, it can also be somewhat inconsistent. Uber states that drivers either get paid “per-minute and per-mile” or an upfront fare, depending on their city. 2 Reservations, tolls, and cancellations can also affect your rates.

Alternatives to becoming an Uber driver

If you’re not sold on the idea of signing up as an Uber driver or you don’t meet Uber’s requirements, don’t worry. There are plenty of other side hustles you can do that share a lot of the same perks.

Read up on how to:

• Become an Uber Eats delivery driver
• Become an Instacart shopper
• Become a DoorDash driver

As mentioned, a lot of these driving-based side hustles complement each other. Because of their flexibility, you can always sign up for multiple platforms to try them out and then choose one or two favorites to stick with in the long run.