What you need to do to start delivering for Uber Eats
To become an Uber Eats driver, you create an account on the Uber Driver app, pass a background check, and provide proof of a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance. Uber then activates your account, usually within a few days to a week. You can start accepting delivery orders as soon as your account is active.
The process is straightforward but has real requirements that vary slightly depending on where you live. Some cities require additional documents — a commercial driver's license, proof of vehicle inspection, or a local business permit. Before you start, check what your city or state demands, because missing a single document can delay your account activation.
Key Takeaways
- You need a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and a phone with the Uber Driver app to start the account process.
- Uber runs a background check that typically takes three to seven days; some cities add their own requirements that can extend this timeline.
- Your vehicle must be at least 20 years old in most places, pass a vehicle inspection in some cities, and have active insurance that covers commercial delivery.
- You set your own hours and choose which delivery requests to accept, but you are responsible for your own gas, maintenance, vehicle insurance, and taxes.
- Your earnings come from delivery fees, distance pay, and tips; Uber takes a percentage of each order before you see your cut.
Documents and requirements Uber will ask for
When you open the Uber Driver app and start the account creation, Uber asks for your legal name, date of birth, email address, and phone number. You then upload a photo of your driver's license (front and back), vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. The insurance document must show your name and the vehicle's name or VIN, and it must be current — expired insurance will hold up your account.
Uber also requires a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax reporting. You provide this during account setup. If you do not have a U.S. bank account, you can still receive payments through certain third-party services, but Uber's default is direct deposit to a U.S. bank account.
Some cities add their own layer. New York City, for example, requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) and a Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) license. San Francisco requires proof of vehicle inspection. Los Angeles requires a local business tax registration certificate. Before you upload anything to Uber, search "[your city] Uber Eats driver requirements" or call your city's business licensing office to see what else you need.
The background check and approval timeline
Once you submit your documents, Uber sends your information to a third-party background check company. The check typically takes three to seven days. Uber looks at your driving record, criminal history, and sex offender registry. A single speeding ticket will not disqualify you, but serious moving violations, DUIs, or felonies within the past seven years usually will.
If Uber approves you, you receive an email saying your account is active and you can start accepting orders. If Uber denies you, the email explains the reason — usually a specific item on your driving record or background. You can request a review or dispute the findings, but the process takes additional time.
Cities that add their own requirements extend this timeline. If you need a TLC license in New York or a business permit in Los Angeles, you must obtain those documents before Uber will activate your account, even if Uber's own background check clears you. Budget an extra two to four weeks if your city has local licensing.
Vehicle requirements and insurance
Your vehicle must be at least 20 years old in most U.S. cities (some cities set the minimum at 15 or 18 years; check your local rules). The vehicle must have four doors and a trunk or cargo area. Motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles are not permitted for Uber Eats food delivery in most places, though some cities allow bicycles or e-bikes for certain delivery zones.
Your personal auto insurance likely does not cover commercial delivery. When you drive for Uber Eats, you are using your vehicle for business, and most personal policies exclude that. Uber provides limited liability coverage while you have an active delivery in progress, but that coverage is secondary — it only kicks in after your personal insurance is exhausted. You need your own commercial auto insurance or a rideshare endorsement on your personal policy. This typically costs $15 to $30 per month extra, depending on your insurer and location.
Some cities require a vehicle inspection before you can drive. The inspection checks brakes, tires, lights, and overall safety. If your city requires it, you must pass the inspection and upload proof to Uber before your account activates. You can usually get this done at a local mechanic or inspection station for $20 to $50.
How earnings work and what you pay out of pocket
Uber Eats pays you a combination of base pay (per delivery), distance pay (per mile), and customer tips. The base pay and distance pay vary by city and demand. During busy times, Uber may offer surge pricing that increases the per-delivery rate. Tips are separate — customers add them in the app, and Uber passes 100 percent of tips to you.
Uber takes a percentage of the base pay and distance pay before you see your earnings. This cut varies by city but typically ranges from 20 to 30 percent. You see the exact breakdown in the Uber Driver app after each delivery. Tips are not subject to Uber's cut.
You are responsible for all operating costs: gas, vehicle maintenance, oil changes, tire replacement, and repairs. You are also responsible for your own vehicle insurance (the commercial endorsement mentioned above). At tax time, you owe self-employment tax on your net earnings. Many drivers set aside 25 to 30 percent of their weekly earnings to cover taxes and vehicle costs, though the actual amount depends on your vehicle's fuel efficiency, local gas prices, and how often repairs are needed.
Setting your schedule and accepting orders
Once your account is active, you open the Uber Driver app whenever you want to work. You can set your own hours — there is no minimum or maximum. When you go online, the app shows you available delivery requests in your area. You see the pickup location, dropoff location, estimated distance, and the payout before you accept. You can decline as many orders as you want without penalty.
Acceptance rate does not affect your account status, but it does affect how often Uber sends you orders. If you decline most requests, you will see fewer new orders. The app also shows you real-time demand in your area, so you can see when and where orders are most likely to come through.
You navigate to the restaurant, pick up the order, and deliver it to the customer's address. The app provides turn-by-turn directions. Once you deliver, you mark the order complete in the app, and the payment is added to your account. Payments are deposited to your bank account weekly, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Common issues and what to know before you start
Many new drivers underestimate their actual hourly earnings because they forget to account for time spent waiting at restaurants, driving to pickup locations, and sitting idle between orders. Your active delivery time is only part of your working time. In slower periods or less busy areas, your effective hourly rate can be significantly lower than the per-delivery payout suggests.
Restaurant wait times are unpredictable. Some restaurants prepare orders quickly; others make you wait 10 to 20 minutes. Uber does not compensate you for wait time, so a delivery that looks profitable on the app can become unprofitable if the restaurant is slow. Experienced drivers learn which restaurants are fast and which are slow in their area.
Your vehicle's wear and tear is real. Delivery driving puts extra miles on your car, and those miles cost money in maintenance and depreciation. The IRS standard mileage rate for business use is updated annually; for 2024 it is 67 cents per mile. Many drivers find their actual costs are higher, especially if they drive an older vehicle or live in an area with high gas prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a commercial driver's license to deliver for Uber Eats?
Most cities do not require a CDL for food delivery. However, New York City, some parts of California, and a few other jurisdictions do. Check your city's specific rules before you start the account process. If your city requires a CDL, you must obtain it before Uber will activate your account.
What happens if I get into an accident while delivering?
Uber provides liability coverage while you have an active delivery in progress. However, this coverage is secondary to your personal insurance. You must report the accident to both your personal insurer and to Uber through the app. If you do not have commercial coverage and your personal insurer finds out you were delivering, they may deny the claim.
Can I use a rental car or a car I do not own?
The vehicle must be registered in your name or you must have written permission from the owner. If you use a rental car, the rental agreement must allow commercial use, and you must provide proof of registration. Most rental companies do not allow delivery work, so check your rental agreement first.
How long does it take to get paid after I complete a delivery?
Uber deposits earnings weekly, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday. The payment includes all deliveries from the previous week. You can see your current week's earnings in the app at any time, but the money does not hit your bank account until the weekly deposit.
What if Uber deactivates my account?
Uber can deactivate your account if your acceptance rate drops too low, if you receive too many customer complaints, or if you violate Uber's community guidelines. You can request a review, but Uber's decision is usually final. If you are deactivated, you can reapply after a waiting period, though reapproval is not may provide.