Before the ride begins
Uber’s approach to pre-screening
All driver-partners wanting to use the Uber platform are required to undergo an extensive background check, which is performed on our behalf by Accurate and/or Checkr. Both are accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners and use a process for Uber that is similar to that provided to other companies such as Care.com, Starbucks, WalMart, Nike, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon. (1)
People wanting to sign up with Uber as a driver-partner are required to provide detailed information, including their full name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, a copy of their driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance, and proof of a completed vehicle inspection. With the potential driver’s approval, Accurate and/or Checkr then look into his or her background. They run a social security trace to identify addresses associated with the potential driver’s name during the past seven years, and then a criminal background check to search for his or her name and addresses in a series of national, state and local databases for convictions in the last seven years. These include the National Sex Offender Registry, National Criminal Search and several different databases used to flag suspected terrorists. Upon identifying a potential criminal record, the background check provider sends someone to review the record in-person at the relevant courthouse or, if possible, pulls the record digitally. Verifying potential criminal records at the source—the courthouse records—helps ensure the records match the identity of the potential driver and that any arrest resulted in a conviction.
These background checks also pull the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) file associated with the license number provided. The MVR is not always included as a standard part of criminal background checks. But Uber believes it is important for screening driver-partners because it includes information about how many speeding or other moving violations an individual has received.
The purpose of running these background checks is to identify offenses and other information that may disqualify potential driver-partners from using Uber. The following chart explains the criteria applied when reviewing a potential driver’s background—this is not an exhaustive or detailed list, but covers the primary criteria that lead to disqualification.
All driver-partners
- A rider can start the Uber app from anywhere and wait safely for the car to arrive. That means no standing on the street to hail a cab or walking around strange neighborhoods to find the nearest bus stop.
- When a driver-partner accepts the request, a rider typically sees his or her first name, photo, license plate number and a picture of the vehicle. Riders can also check whether others have had a good experience with him or her. In addition, the driver can see a rider’s first name and rating.
- Riders can contact their driver—and vice versa—if there is any confusion around pick-up details. But we use technology that allows us to anonymize rider and driver phone numbers so they do not have one another’s actual contact details going forward.
- Uber’s policy requires driver-partners using the Uber platform to undergo an extensive background check (see below for more details).
- Uber has liability insurance designed to cover every ride on Uber’s TNC platform in California up to $1M for physical injuries or damage to property. State and local laws require drivers on platforms such as UberBLACK or uberTAXI to maintain their own commercial insurance.
- Riders can easily share ride details, including the specific route and estimated time of arrival, with friends or family so they can see a rider’s current location and arrival time.
- Riders can also see the route on the map in the app. The location is clearly marked so riders know where they are on their journey—and if they are on the right route.
- Uber uses GPS to keep a record of where a driver goes during the ride, creating accountability and a strong incentive for good behavior.
- There’s no cash involved. This is particularly good for driver-partners because carrying cash can make them a target.
- We ask riders and drivers to rate each other and provide feedback before booking or accepting another ride. Our safety team reviews this information and investigates any issues.
- If something happens while in the car, whether it’s a traffic accident or an altercation between rider and driver, our customer support staff are ready to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- In cases where law enforcement provides us with valid legal process, we work to get them the facts, for example providing trip logs.
- Driver-partners using the Uber platform undergo an extensive background check; and
- Riders and drivers with whom others have consistently had a very bad experience, or who have been involved in a serious safety incident while on the platform, are no longer allowed to use Uber.
Uber’s approach to pre-screening
All driver-partners wanting to use the Uber platform are required to undergo an extensive background check, which is performed on our behalf by Accurate and/or Checkr. Both are accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners and use a process for Uber that is similar to that provided to other companies such as Care.com, Starbucks, WalMart, Nike, FedEx, UPS, and Amazon. (1)
People wanting to sign up with Uber as a driver-partner are required to provide detailed information, including their full name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, a copy of their driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance, and proof of a completed vehicle inspection. With the potential driver’s approval, Accurate and/or Checkr then look into his or her background. They run a social security trace to identify addresses associated with the potential driver’s name during the past seven years, and then a criminal background check to search for his or her name and addresses in a series of national, state and local databases for convictions in the last seven years. These include the National Sex Offender Registry, National Criminal Search and several different databases used to flag suspected terrorists. Upon identifying a potential criminal record, the background check provider sends someone to review the record in-person at the relevant courthouse or, if possible, pulls the record digitally. Verifying potential criminal records at the source—the courthouse records—helps ensure the records match the identity of the potential driver and that any arrest resulted in a conviction.
These background checks also pull the Motor Vehicle Registration (MVR) file associated with the license number provided. The MVR is not always included as a standard part of criminal background checks. But Uber believes it is important for screening driver-partners because it includes information about how many speeding or other moving violations an individual has received.
The purpose of running these background checks is to identify offenses and other information that may disqualify potential driver-partners from using Uber. The following chart explains the criteria applied when reviewing a potential driver’s background—this is not an exhaustive or detailed list, but covers the primary criteria that lead to disqualification.
All driver-partners
- DUI or other drug-related driving convictions
- Fraud
- Reckless driving
- Hit and runs
- Violent crimes (assault, battery, homicide)
- Acts of terror
- Sexual offenses
- A crime involving property damage
- Felony or misdemeanor for theft (burglary, stealing, robbery, anything alike)
- Fatal accidents
- Resisting/evading arrest
- Any other felony
- Driving on a suspended, revoked, or invalid license
- Driving with suspended, revoked, or invalid insurance
- Accidents
- Normal speeding tickets
- Miscellaneous driving violations (e.g., traffic violations)
- Accidents
- Normal speeding tickets
- Miscellaneous driving violations (e.g., traffic violations)