How to Become an Uber Driver (Uber Eats, Too)

Uber is accessible, but you need to meet specific requirements to sign up and earn. Driving for Uber Eats is less stringent.

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Edited by other Updated Jul 6, 2026 Uber driver requirements Uber vehicle requirements Uber insurance requirements How much do Uber drivers make? How to maximize earnings as an Uber driver Is driving for Uber Eats more your speed? How to Make Money as an Instacart Shopper The Gig Economy: Modern Term, Classic Concept Amazon Flex Jobs: Pros, Cons and Driver Reviews Driving for Uber is often presented as an easy way to make money: Sign up, then drive. But there's more to it than that. You need to meet certain age, vehicle and insurance requirements, and pass a background check before you can start earning. There's also expenses to deal with, like gas. "With gas prices where they are, taking on a gig like rideshare or delivery just doesn’t math out in the same way," said Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet's senior economist. Here’s what to know before signing up. » MORE: What are gas prices doing? » MORE:

Uber driver requirements

Tick these boxes and you can likely drive with Uber: Meet the minimum age to drive for Uber in your city. Have a valid U.S. driver’s license. Have at least one year licensed driving experience in the United States (three years if you’re under 25 years old). Pass a screening process. This includes a review of your driving record and a background check. Provide proof of residency in your city or state. Give proof of vehicle insurance, if you’re planning to drive your own car. Don't have a car? Uber drivers can also rent their vehicles through Uber, which come with insurance. The caveat, say posters on the r/uberdrivers subreddit, is that you have to drive a lot to make paying for the rental worth it. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances . » MORE: Ways to make money » MORE:

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Uber vehicle requirements

You're better off using your own car for Uber. In general, it needs to be in good working condition, not older than 15 years, have four doors and meet state requirements, such as having up-to-date registration. Additional requirements may apply to drive for specialized services, such as UberX and UberXL.

Uber insurance requirements

Uber drivers need to have auto insurance coverage. Minimum insurance requirements vary by state, and some places have special requirements for rideshare drivers. Uber also maintains some insurance coverage on behalf of its drivers. It kicks in after you’ve accepted a ride request, and may also apply if you’re waiting on a request. Talk with your insurance provider before you start — it could cancel your policy if you don’t disclose your new gig. Your personal policy may not cover every situation either. In that case, consider purchasing rideshare insurance, if it’s available where you live. Some types of Uber drivers may need a commercial auto policy.

How much do Uber drivers make?

Average earnings are between $15 and $25 per hour with Uber, according to SideHusl.com, a review site for money-making platforms. What you'll actually make depends on when, where and how frequently you drive, plus any tips or bonuses you may receive. Then, there's expenses. Drivers cover their own gas and vehicle maintenance, and have to navigate gig worker taxes on their own. Our NerdWallet writer gave Uber a test drive and did not dig his hourly rate after expenses.

How to maximize earnings as an Uber driver

The best way to do well with Uber is to drive during peak hours. In most cities, that means rush hours, evenings and weekends, according to Uber's help pages. You can also get familiar with the various earning and bonus options to squeeze more out of it. Check for guaranteed-pay promotions in your area, which ensure your weekly or hourly earnings as long as you meet certain requirements. A high customer rating can also boost your opportunities and earnings, so remember to keep your car clean, pay attention to the road, and be nice.

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Is driving for Uber Eats more your speed?

If driving people makes you nervous, you can try delivering food with Uber Eats instead (or Grubhub or DoorDash, for that matter). Uber delivery workers are not subject to the same rules and regulations as regular rideshare drivers. Your car doesn’t need to have four doors or meet additional requirements to do Uber Eats, for example. You do need to be 19 years old, have a valid driver's license, and be willing to submit your Social Security number for a background check though. Once you're approved, you can deliver food and packages, and even opt in to "shop & deliver" runs, similar to what Instacart Shoppers do. You'll use the same Uber Driver app to go online and accept deliveries. Double up as a driver and deliverer for more opportunities to earn. Explore more on Article sources NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines. Reddit.com. Driving Uber but with a rental car. About the authors Tindall Tommy Tindall is a lead writer and content strategist covering how to make money — and how to keep it. He’s recorded and written about his experience testing popular gig jobs like driving for Uber, delivering with DoorDash and full-service shopping for Instacart. He loves making an extra buck, but laments the hours of awkward silence he endured as an Uber driver (never again). Cool kids might call him a content creator because he makes YouTube videos for the NerdWallet channel and app, but he himself is no longer very cool. Ask him about budgeting apps — he's tried most of them, but still prefers a good ole Google sheet to track spending. Then be sure to smash that “like” and “subscribe” button. Before NerdWallet, Tommy held decidedly more boring jobs at Fannie Mae and Booz Allen Hamilton. Today, he feels super privileged to write for you, the consumer. Published in McMullen Laura McMullen assigns and edits content related to personal loans and student loans. She previously edited money news content. Before then, Laura was a senior writer at NerdWallet and covered saving, making and budgeting money; she also contributed to the "Millennial Money" column for The Associated Press. Before joining NerdWallet in 2015, Laura worked for U.S. News & World Report, where she wrote and edited content related to careers, wellness and education and also contributed to the company's rankings projects. Before working at U.S. News & World Report, Laura interned at Vice Media and studied journalism, history and Arabic at Ohio University. Laura lives in Washington, D.C. Published in Mulka Lisa Mulka is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance content. With more than 15 years of writing experience, Lisa most recently authored a book on personal financial literacy and served as lead writer on the FDIC’s Money Smart for Young People program. She holds a bachelor’s in creative writing, and master’s degrees in written communication and in educational technology. Lisa lives with her husband and two children in Michigan, where she spends her free time teaching the next generation of writers at Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. Amazon Flex Jobs: Pros, Cons and Driver Reviews By Kelsey Sheehy, Lisa Mulka, Tommy Tindall How to Make Money as an Instacart Shopper By Tommy Tindall, Kelsey Sheehy Taskrabbit Jobs: What Real Taskers Say By Tommy Tindall How Does DoorDash Work? Making Money as a Dasher By Lauren Schwahn, Taryn Phaneuf