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Can I drive and operate an Uber in multiple cities/states/territories?
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The Guru Take
You can drop off your passengers anywhere. You cannot pick up anywhere, however.
Uber drivers can only operate and pick up passengers in areas for which they have been assigned and approved. This has to do with how each local areas have different laws and regulations. You are applying to drive in a certain territory, and you are approved for that specific territory.
To clarify, it is important to point out that you can pick up in your own area only, but you can drop off outside of your territory in any location. This means that you can leave your territory with a passenger but you cannot pick up on the way home.
Uber can make exceptions to this rule and approve you to drive in multiple states if given a proper justification. They also approve temporary relocations, where, say, you decide to move to another state for the summer, they can grant you to operate in that area for a few months.
Lyft used to have a much relaxed policy, where you could drive in multiple cities and states, and they did not have the concept of having any territories. However, as the local laws and regulations tightened, they have implemented these restrictions.
UPDATE: It is important to also remember that depending on your local area, Uber often extends your coverage area (where you can pickup and receive requests from) to the surrounding territories/states. For example, if you are approved to drive in New Jersey, you will receive requests in states like PA, NY, DE, CT, and Western MA. (not NYC, due to TLC requirements.))
Comments
Damn regulations. It used to be so cool before. Just you and your app. Just picking up passengers and working whenever and wherever.
I used to read about those drivers who did cross-country trips from coast to coast, driving in each city they drove. It's like the modern day hitchhiking. No more.
I thought Uber drivers were independent contractors? Correct me if I am wrong but the last I checked, being an independent contractor meant they can not implement rules or monitor you?
Thank you for all of your valuable knowledge!! I am currently refisu ok Delaware to drive for both Uber & Lyft. I know that Maryland has stricter rules for driving there. However, my coverage area approval for NJ is vague. I have received ride request while in New Jersey after completing PHL airport trips. However, I haven't been down the Jersey shore yet. If I have already successfully received ride requests while in NJ is it my assumption that if I go to Wildwood, NJ or any other shore towns that I will be abld to receive requests. But, everyone knows what happens when you assume!!
Can anyone clarify the Delaware drivers coverage area? Also, for Ocean City Maryland ride requests I need to have my region changed from Delaware to Eastern Maryland. Am I able to open a new (2nd) Lyft or Uber account with a new email address but the same vehicle? In order to change regions? For example can I keep 1 Lyft Account for the Delaware, PHL airport, PA & NJ areas? Then have the 2nd account for the Eastern Maryland areas?
Thanks in advance for your help!!!!!!
Full disclaimer, my experience is with Uber, so it may be different for Lyft. However, Lyft has been known to be looser for the pickup areas, so I hope this will help.
You shouldn't have to create "two" accounts. In fact, they won't allow you to have two identities, so it'd be a red flag if you tried to open two accounts. Don't do that!
In terms of switching regions, they are pretty good at giving you the region you want. You just have to file a request, and they will do the necessary paperwork and background checks to satisfy you for the new reason. Driver do switch all the time.
In terms of being eligible to drive in multiple regions, you should be okay there too. I know other drivers who requested they'd be able to drive for multiple, and they were given access. They are vague about confirming your status, but yes, if you are getting ride requests, you should be good.
Remember - there are people who live right o…
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Full disclaimer, my experience is with Uber, so it may be different for Lyft. However, Lyft has been known to be looser for the pickup areas, so I hope this will help.
You shouldn't have to create "two" accounts. In fact, they won't allow you to have two identities, so it'd be a red flag if you tried to open two accounts. Don't do that!
In terms of switching regions, they are pretty good at giving you the region you want. You just have to file a request, and they will do the necessary paperwork and background checks to satisfy you for the new reason. Driver do switch all the time.
In terms of being eligible to drive in multiple regions, you should be okay there too. I know other drivers who requested they'd be able to drive for multiple, and they were given access. They are vague about confirming your status, but yes, if you are getting ride requests, you should be good.
Remember - there are people who live right on the border of PA and MD, let's say. So they are used to giving such access with flexibility. PA requires the in-state inspection, so you may be on the hook for that if you don't already have one, but as long as you got the requirements figured out, you should be good.
So...contact them and see what they say!
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You CAN drive Uber Eats Delivery from State to state💲😁
You better be really desperate and hungry to be ordering a food from another state. Or that food is that amazing.
I guess some people do live on borders.
I had no idea of this. Really? I guess the regulations are much less strict for driving a burrito over real people.
I don’t want NH burritos crossing the border. We must stop the invasion
Uber in Tampa FL frequently prompts for riders heading to Orlando .. yet, Uber does NOT allow or offer a rider heading back to Tampa, so that I'm not taking the HOUR DRIVE on my own nickel. If you think about it, it makes no sense that a Tampa Uber driver is allowed to drive into Orlando but, God forbid, they pick somebody up in the same area .. that's a no-no. So, I'm forced to not accept such which, consequently, negatively impacts my driver rating. SMH
Uber and lyft are very new to our region. We need some clarity on when certain cities don't approve uber in their city. we have 2 in our region that want to vote separate from the biggest city in the region that already approved it and its up in and running for the most part in our county and neighboring counties. We are a ver big tourist and its not uncommon for someone to stay in hotel in one city and uber and lyft to other destinations while on vaca. Right now we are educating the community that we cannot pick up in the city limits only and in fact the uber and lyft service will tell the passenger "not available in that location". We further explain that if they can request it and it allows them to then it is approved for that area? Can you shed some light on this confusion or recommend how we handle it as drivers? ty
Sounds like you already have your answer? Explaining that Uber drivers are only allowed to pick up in certain areas.
I am devastated to hear that my dream of doing a cross country trip as a Lyft driver has now been shattered.
Lyft has let me drive in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky. I'm not sure I would be able to do it in EVERY state, but I think Lyft is a lot more flexible than Uber when it comes to what area you're signed up in.
Uber won't even let me go online in Kentucky.
I am not sure if you are joking or not, but that does sound fantastic to me. Meeting people all over, make just enough to buy gas, food, and laundry. Just see the country coast to coast.
I used to be signed up in chicago and then they let me drive in any city and state to deliver for Uber eats. I worked in one coast then went to California. Has their policy changed and can you not do that any more?
I drive in Nashville. Can I pickup anywhere within my state like chattanooga, knoxville? Without formally changing my city. Say like i want to go to chattanooga for the weekend
I started driving for Uber in Kansas City, Mo. I was always able to pick people up in Kansas City, KS. I now have moved an hour and a half way from Kansas city, Mo into Kansas to a small town. And I can still accept rides here. I was told that you can drive within a 200 mile radius of your city. And I also think they take into account if you live close to a border.
Didn't realize this posted twice. so I deleted the contents of this one
But, you CAN deliver Uber Eats state to state🤗😁
I live in a small town. 8000 people. I have to go to the city council to get a license If I do this and get it approved will UberGive me an exclusive in this territory
How about Philadelphia pa, can’t I pickup in nj and parts on ny?