Can I Drive for Uber If I Have Had a DUI?

Being an Uber driver is a great way to earn some extra money or even make it your full time job. There are so many benefits, and it is incredibly easy to sign up and get started. Fill out an application online, go through a background check, and start driving. Unfortunately, for some, the background check might not go as smoothly as could be hoped. DUIs are a pain when you get them, and they can follow you. A DUI makes being an Uber driver difficult but not impossible.

If you have a DUI on your record within the last seven years, you can’t be an Uber driver. It’s important to be safe on the road for other drivers, yourself, and the passengers who are paying you to drive them around. The background check is to ensure the Uber drivers don’t have a criminal record or reckless driving offenses. 

Uber has basic requirements each person must meet in order to be a driver within the network. Each person must be 21 years old, but in some cities the age requirement is 23. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and up to date registration. These are all fairly simple requirements to pass, and they help ensure the safety of drivers and passengers. The vehicle must be a four-door and newer than ten years old. Some Uber services, such as Uber Black have even more stringent qualifications. 

The motor vehicle review and background check takes up to seven days to process. Uber utilizes a third party provider to run the analysis with a focus on driving records, violent crimes, and sexual offenses and dives into courthouse records, federal records, multi state criminal database, the National Sex Offender Registry, and motor vehicle records to establish if a person is eligible. Depending on the city, the background check can vary due to state and local laws. Every person must go through the background check, but the vast majority sail through with no issues. To pass in most states, a person must have nothing on their record for the past seven years including a DUI. 

To pass the motor vehicle portion, you must have three years of driving experience within the United States, no more than three incidents in the past three years, no speeding violations over 20 mph, any reckless driving offenses, or any drug related or DUI convictions over the past seven years. In California, it is ten years. If your DUI case was dismissed, you can still be an Uber driver, but you’ll need to be prepared with an explanation.

Uber is dedicated to passenger and driver safety, so passing the background check once does not mean you’re good to go forever. Uber does an annual background check no existing drivers as well. If you’re already an Uber driver and get a DUI, you’re in for some trouble. Uber takes these offenses very seriously.