Uber Eats Driver Requirements (2026): Do You Qualify?

Before you spend 20 minutes on the Uber Eats application, confirm you actually qualify. The requirements aren’t onerous, but they’re specific — and the wrong vehicle, an old infraction, or an expired insurance policy can derail an application that would otherwise be straightforward. This guide walks through every requirement Uber Eats checks, what counts as “eligible” for each, and what the differences are vs DoorDash so you can compare both before committing time to one.

If you’re earlier in the journey, see How to Become an Uber Eats Driver for the signup walkthrough.

What’s in this guide

• Quick eligibility check
• Age requirement
• Driver’s license requirements
• Vehicle requirements
• Insurance requirements
• Background check criteria
• Smartphone requirements
• Bike and scooter mode requirements
• How Uber Eats compares to DoorDash on requirements
• FAQ

Quick eligibility check

Run through this list. If you can answer yes to all, you’re likely eligible for Uber Eats:

• ✅ I’m 18 years old or older (some markets require 19+ or 21+)
• ✅ I have a valid U.S. driver’s license (or government ID for bike/scooter mode)
• ✅ I have at least 1 year of licensed driving history
• ✅ I have a vehicle that meets Uber’s market-specific requirements (or I’m doing bike/scooter delivery in a supported city)
• ✅ I have current vehicle insurance in my name
• ✅ I have a Social Security Number (for tax reporting)
• ✅ My driving record is reasonably clean — no recent DUIs, no major moving violations, no major felony convictions
• ✅ I have a smartphone that can run the Uber Driver app

Any “no” answers are addressable in different ways — see the relevant sections below.

Age requirement

Uber Eats requires drivers to be at least 18 years old in most U.S. markets. Some markets — based on local insurance and contractor regulations — require 19 or 21+.

The age minimum applies to the date you sign up. Even if your 18th birthday is next week, you can’t apply until then.

This matches DoorDash’s age requirement. See DoorDash Driver Requirements.

Driver’s license requirements

For car-mode Uber Eats:

• Valid U.S. driver’s license issued in your name.
• At least 1 year of licensed driving history. Most markets enforce this strictly.
• Driver’s license must not be expired at the time of application.
• Some markets require an unrestricted license (without “learner’s permit” or “provisional” designations).
• Real ID-compliant licenses are not specifically required, but most U.S. licenses now are.

If you have a license from outside the U.S. (e.g., a recent immigrant), you’ll typically need to obtain a U.S. driver’s license before driving. International driving permits aren’t accepted.

If your license has restrictions (corrective lenses, daytime only, etc.), you can still drive — but you must comply with the restrictions during deliveries.

Vehicle requirements

The vehicle requirements vary by market, but typical baselines:

For Uber Eats only (no rideshare):

• Year: typically 1995 or newer (varies by market — some require 2005+)
• Type: any 2-door or 4-door car. Trucks, SUVs, hatchbacks, and minivans typically all qualify.
• Condition: safe, working, no major exterior damage.

For Uber Eats + Uber rideshare (UberX):

• Year: typically 2010 or newer (varies — some markets 2015+)
• Type: 4-door sedan, SUV, or minivan. Some markets exclude older 2-doors.
• Inspection: required in many markets.

Vehicle not eligible if:

• Branded with another rideshare/delivery company’s marks
• Major mechanical issues
• Salvage title in some markets
• Outside the year/condition requirements

If your vehicle doesn’t qualify, options include:

• Uber’s vehicle rental partners (Hertz Uber Rentals, etc.) for short-term rental eligible vehicles.
• Bike or scooter delivery in supported markets — bypasses car-vehicle requirements.

For DoorDash’s parallel vehicle requirements, see DoorDash Driver Requirements.

Insurance requirements

Uber Eats requires:

• Active vehicle insurance in your name (or as a named driver on a household policy).
• Coverage at the state-required minimum at minimum — many states require liability + property damage.
• Insurance card or declaration page as proof during application.

Important: standard personal auto insurance often doesn’t cover commercial activity (rideshare/delivery). Many drivers add a “rideshare endorsement” or “delivery rider” to their policy. Some states have specific rules about this; verify with your insurer.

Uber Eats provides supplemental insurance during active deliveries (the contingent liability policy), but your personal insurance is the primary cover during all other periods. For a deeper discussion of delivery-driver insurance, see DoorDash Driver Insurance Guide — most of the principles apply identically to Uber Eats.

Background check criteria

Uber Eats uses Checkr (same as DoorDash) for background checks. The screen typically covers:

Criminal history:

• Federal, state, and county-level records
• Felony convictions
• DUIs
• Major drug offenses

Driving history (Motor Vehicle Record):

• Recent at-fault accidents
• Recent serious moving violations (reckless driving, racing, hit-and-run)
• DUI/DWI within typically 7 years
• License suspensions

What typically disqualifies:

• Recent DUI (within 7 years, varies by state)
• Felony conviction within 7 years
• Multiple recent moving violations
• Sexual offense conviction (typically permanent disqualification)
• Recent major accident with at-fault status

What typically does NOT disqualify:

• Old DUI (10+ years ago, depending on state)
• Single non-violent misdemeanor from years ago
• Speeding tickets (one or two doesn’t auto-disqualify)
• Bankruptcy or financial issues (not part of driver background check)

For a deeper walkthrough, see Uber Eats Background Check Guide.

If you’re disqualified by Uber Eats, DoorDash’s standards are sometimes slightly different — see DoorDash Background Check Guide for parallel coverage.

Smartphone requirements

The Uber Driver app needs:

• iPhone: iOS 14 or higher
• Android: Android 8.0 (Oreo) or higher
• Reliable cellular data plan — the app uses location and routes constantly
• Functional GPS — required for dispatch and navigation
• Working camera — for selfies during identity verification, photo proof of delivery

A smartphone with Wi-Fi-only connectivity won’t work — you need cellular data when you’re out delivering.

Bike and scooter mode requirements

For bike or scooter delivery in supported cities:

For bicycles:

• Government-issued photo ID (passport, state ID, etc.) — driver’s license not required
• Working bicycle in safe condition
• Helmet (legally required in some cities)
• Bicycle lights (required at night)

For scooters/mopeds:

• Driver’s license with appropriate endorsement (state-specific)
• Vehicle registration
• Insurance (state-required)
• Helmet
• Working brake lights and turn signals

For e-bikes and e-scooters (consumer):

• Varies by state classification — some treat as bicycle, others as moped
• Verify state rules

For more on bike/scooter delivery economics and gear, see our DoorDash equivalent: DoorDash on a Bike or Scooter — most principles are identical for Uber Eats.

How Uber Eats compares to DoorDash on requirements

The differences are subtle but real:

Where Uber Eats is more restrictive:

• Some markets have stricter year-of-vehicle requirements
• Driving history may be scrutinized more

Where DoorDash is more restrictive:

• Some markets require explicit checking-account-only payment setup
• Some markets have specific signup-volume caps that don’t affect Uber

In practice, many drivers qualify for both — and the choice comes down to market specifics and personal preference.

Looking for a delivery alternative? Uber Eats has the broadest US restaurant footprint and Uber One bundles food + grocery + ride credits. Try Uber Eats →

FAQ

Do I need to pay for the background check? No — Uber Eats covers the background check fee.

Will my background check cost include my MVR (driving record)? Usually yes — the MVR is part of Checkr’s standard delivery-driver check.

What if my driving record has a few speeding tickets? Generally not disqualifying. Multiple tickets within a recent window might be flagged for review. One or two tickets typically pass.

What about a DUI from 10 years ago? Likely passable — most states’ lookback windows are 7 years. Verify on Uber’s specific policy or via the Checkr report.

Can I drive Uber Eats with a learner’s permit or provisional license? Most markets require a full driver’s license. Provisional/learner’s permits typically don’t qualify.

Can I rent a car to do Uber Eats? Sometimes — Uber’s vehicle rental partners (Hertz, etc.) offer short-term rentals to drivers. Personal rental cars (Hertz, Enterprise) typically aren’t permitted unless rented through Uber’s partner program.

What if my insurance lapses mid-delivery? Uber Eats requires you to maintain active insurance. If insurance lapses, you’re not eligible to deliver. Re-instate insurance and reactivate your account.

Is a Real ID required? Generally no — a regular state ID or driver’s license suffices for Uber Eats requirements.

What if I have a criminal record but it’s been expunged? Expunged records typically don’t appear on Checkr’s reports. You should be eligible if your record is otherwise clean.

Are veterans or active-duty military exempt from any requirements? No specific exemptions for military status. Uber Eats does have programs supporting military veterans (referrals, training), but the basic eligibility requirements are the same.

Related reading:

• How to Become an Uber Eats Driver
• Uber Eats Background Check Guide
• How Uber Eats Driver Pay Works
• Is Uber Eats Worth It as a Driver?
• DoorDash Driver Requirements
• DoorDash vs Uber Eats for Drivers
• How to Become a DoorDash Driver