An Uber background check is necessary, whether you intend to work as an Uber Eats delivery driver or a rideshare driver. Uber, like many other large corporations, has a standard background check process in place to determine whether a driver meets the platform’s safety and eligibility requirements. These checks are basic on the surface but largely related to driving, criminal history, and personal information.
However, the screening process for Uber tends to be more detailed than many standard background checks for jobs. This is due to the fact that drivers, whether for delivering food or rideshare, interact with passengers directly, requiring Uber to take strict measures when it comes to screening.
In this article, we will discuss what you should expect from an Uber background check. Read on to learn all about Uber’s screening process for drivers.
5 Things That Are Included in an Uber Background Check
Generally speaking, Uber background checks focus on identity, driving history, criminal records, driving experience, and additional checks, depending on the state. Here’s an overview of these checks before a driver can work for Uber.
Identity Verification
One of the first parts of an Uber background check is identity verification. Uber typically reviews information such as the applicant’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number. This check essentially kickstarts the background check process, ensuring that someone is who they say they are before further checks are conducted.
Motor Vehicle Records
Since driving is pretty much essential for Uber, the company reviews the applicant’s motor vehicle records, known as MVR. This includes their driving history, license status, and previous traffic violations.
In line with Uber’s policies, major driving offenses like DUIs, reckless driving, and repeated violations may affect whether someone gets the approval to drive on the platform. This applies both to rideshare and delivery driving.
Criminal History
As with any other employer, Uber wants to make sure that the drivers don’t pose a safety risk to the users on the platform. As you can expect, criminal history is a big part of the Uber background check process. Uber reviews applicants’ criminal records across federal, state, and local databases for certain offenses.
Although you can potentially drive for Uber with a criminal record, it entirely depends on the nature of the crime and how long ago it occurred. For example, violent crimes, sexual offenses, and most felony convictions are among the types of records that often result in immediate disqualification.
Sex Offender Registry Check
In addition to a comprehensive criminal records check, Uber also reviews sex offender registries to see if someone is a registered sex offender. This is done as part of Uber’s broader safety screening process. Any record found in these databases leads to automatic disqualification from the platform, ensuring registered sex offenders cannot drive for Uber.
Driving Experience and Age Requirement
Last but not least, all drivers must meet Uber’s minimum driving experience and age requirements. The exact number varies depending on age and location, which you should know right away before submitting your application.
For example, as of today, those who want to drive for Uber in California must be at least 25 years old and have a minimum of one year of US driving experience. If the applicant is under 25, then they must have been driving for at least three years in the US.
What Fails an Uber Background Check?
There are several factors that can cause someone to fail an Uber background check. As mentioned above, this includes serious criminal convictions, being a registered sex offender, major driving offenses, and not meeting Uber’s minimum age and driving experience requirements. These can be violent offenses, suspended license, or recent DUIs.
However, it is also worth noting that the standards can vary depending on local regulations and Uber’s state-based policies, as discussed by timeforlawyers.
Summarizing Uber Background Checks
Uber background checks are designed to review whether applicants meet the platform’s safety and driving standards before being approved to drive. These checks are similar to any other pre-employment background check, but with an emphasis on driving history and experience. This comes as no surprise, as Uber is all about driving.
If you’re planning to apply to drive for Uber, you can be better prepared by running a similar background check on yourself. You can do this with the help of online tools like UnMask’s background check. Although the information that appears on an Uber background check and what an online tool shows may not be identical, it can help you find out about your chances of passing screening.
