Thinking of Driving for Uber? Start Here

This is the hub for people thinking about driving for Uber. It covers the things I wish more drivers understood before their first trip, then points you to the detailed pages. I first wrote it in December 2015. Parts of it were wrong by now, so I have rewritten it for October 2026.

Where to go next

1. What you need to become an Uber driver: age, license, car, insurance, phone and rentals.
2. Applying and approval process: the sign-up steps, in order.
3. Uber background check: what is checked and what disqualifies you.
4. The short checklist: a one-page version.
5. Required items for drivers and the Lyft application guide.

Things to know before you start

You pay the costs of the car

Gas or charging, maintenance, tires, cleaning, parking, tolls and depreciation are yours. This is what catches new drivers out. Work out your real cost per mile with the vehicle cost per mile calculator, then see what is left with the profit calculator.

You are an independent contractor

Taxes are not taken out of your pay. You set aside money for income tax and self-employment tax and handle it yourself at tax time. The self-employment tax estimator will give you a rough number, and the tracking tools post covers keeping records.

Check your insurance

You need your own personal auto policy. According to Uber’s insurance page, its commercial coverage with at least $1,000,000 of third-party liability applies once you accept a trip. Between trips, while you wait online, coverage is thinner and depends on state law. Uber’s coverage for damage to your own car also only applies if your policy has comprehensive and collision, and a deductible applies (Uber’s help center lists $2,500). That is the gray area I warned about in 2015, and it still exists in a different form. Call your insurer and read Uber’s insurance page for your state.

How and when you are paid

Uber pays weekly by direct deposit to a bank account you set up in the app, and the earnings week runs Monday 4:00 a.m. to the next Monday 3:59 a.m. The deposit arrives later that week; the exact day depends on your city and bank. Instant Pay lets you cash out sooner for a per-cash-out fee (Uber’s US help page lists $1.75, free in New York City, as of October 2026). Check the current fee in your app.

Fix problems in the app

If a fare, a cancellation or a rating looks wrong, use the in-app support for that trip and keep screenshots. Keep trip details and your own records. If your account is ever deactivated, the in-app appeal is the route Uber points drivers to; read the section on losing access and gather evidence (dash cam video, screenshots) before you submit.

Driving for more than one app

In 2015 I said driving for multiple companies can help you maximize earnings. I still think it is worth considering, if each app’s rules for your car allow it, since it can cut down on dead time between requests. Add up the extra wear on your car honestly. I used to give Lyft-specific advice here (a payout cap and slow support). Those 2015 details are out of date and I have removed them.

Referral offers

Referral and sign-up offers change by city and time, and many people see none at all. If one is available, it will show in the sign-up flow or the app. Only trust the terms Uber shows you there.

Can I do delivery instead?

Yes. Uber has delivery-only sign-up with car, scooter or bike options, and its own minimum ages. Existing drivers can add delivery in the Driver app. The details are in the requirements post.

Ready to apply?

Open the applying and approval process, gather your documents, and go step by step. This site is independent and not affiliated with Uber or Lyft.