What you need to deliver for Uber Eats
Uber Eats uses independent contractors to pick up food from restaurants and deliver it to customers. You do not become an Uber employee — you work for yourself and set your own schedule. To start, you need a smartphone with the Uber Driver app, a valid driver's license, proof of vehicle registration and insurance, and a Social Security number or tax ID. Uber runs a background check that typically takes three to five business days.
Your vehicle can be a car, motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, depending on what Uber offers in your city. If you use a car, it must be at least 20 years old (the year varies slightly by location), pass a vehicle inspection, and have active insurance that covers commercial use. Motorcycle and bicycle deliveries are available in fewer cities. You will also need to provide a photo of yourself and a photo of your vehicle's front and back.
Once Uber approves your account, you can open the app and toggle on to receive delivery requests. You see the restaurant, the pickup address, the delivery address, and the estimated payout before you accept each order. You are not required to accept every order, and you can stop working whenever you want.
Key Takeaways
- You must pass a background check and provide a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance, and proof of identity before you can start.
- Uber pays per delivery, not per hour, and the amount shown in the app before you accept is what you will receive (plus any customer tip).
- You are responsible for your own vehicle maintenance, fuel, insurance, and taxes — Uber does not withhold taxes or provide benefits.
- Vehicle requirements vary by city and delivery type; check what Uber accepts in your area before you begin the sign-up process.
- You can work as much or as little as you want and stop at any time, but you will not receive income during hours you are not actively delivering.
How Uber Eats calculates what you earn
Uber Eats shows you the payout for each delivery before you accept it. The payout includes a base amount per delivery, a small per-mile amount, and any surge pricing if demand is high. You also keep 100 percent of customer tips. The base pay and per-mile rate vary by city and change periodically; Uber does not publish these rates publicly, so you will see them only when you open the app in your area.
You do not earn money while you are waiting for orders, driving to the restaurant, or sitting at home. You earn only when you are actively transporting food from a restaurant to a customer. If you accept an order and then cancel it, you will not be paid for that trip. Cancellations also affect your acceptance rate, which Uber monitors; a very low acceptance rate can result in your account being deactivated.
Uber does not withhold income tax, Social Security tax, or Medicare tax from your pay. As an independent contractor, you are responsible for setting aside money for taxes and filing a tax return. You will receive a 1099-NEC form from Uber at the end of the year if you earned more than $600.
Costs you will pay out of pocket
Every expense related to your vehicle and deliveries comes from your earnings. This includes fuel, oil changes, tire replacement, repairs, car washes, and insurance. If you use a personal vehicle, your insurance company must know you are using it for commercial delivery; standard personal auto insurance often does not cover commercial use, and driving without proper coverage can void your policy if you have an accident.
You also pay for your smartphone and data plan. Some contractors use a second phone just for Uber Eats to keep work separate from personal use. If you deliver by bicycle or scooter, you may need to repair or replace those vehicles more frequently than a car.
As a self-employed person, you can deduct delivery-related expenses on your tax return — mileage, vehicle maintenance, phone costs, and other business expenses. Keeping records of these costs throughout the year makes tax time easier. Many contractors use mileage-tracking apps to record business miles automatically.
How the sign-up and approval process works
Start by downloading the Uber Driver app and entering your phone number. You will be asked to provide your name, email, date of birth, and address. Next, upload a photo of your driver's license (front and back), a photo of yourself, and photos of your vehicle's front, back, and sides. If you are using a car, you will also need to upload your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
Uber sends your information to a third-party background check company. The check typically takes three to five business days but can take longer if there are issues. You will receive an email when the check is complete. If you are approved, you can start accepting deliveries immediately. If you are denied, the email will explain why, and you may be able to reapply after addressing the issue.
Some cities require additional steps, such as a vehicle inspection at a specific location or a local business license. The Uber Driver app will tell you if these apply in your area before you finish signing up.
What happens if your account is deactivated
Uber can deactivate your account if you violate the contractor agreement. Common reasons include a very low acceptance rate (refusing most orders), poor ratings from customers, canceling too many orders after accepting them, or violations of Uber's community guidelines. If your account is deactivated, you will receive an email explaining the reason.
If the deactivation is temporary, you may be able to reactivate by meeting certain conditions — for example, improving your rating or acceptance rate. If it is permanent, you cannot work for Uber Eats again. You can contact Uber support through the app to ask for more details about why your account was deactivated, but Uber's decisions are final and not subject to appeal through a formal process.
Your ratings come from customer feedback after each delivery. Ratings below a certain threshold (usually around 4.6 out of 5 stars) can trigger deactivation. Factors that lower ratings include late deliveries, food arriving cold, damaged items, or poor communication with the customer.
Differences between Uber Eats and other delivery platforms
Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart, and Grubhub all use independent contractors for delivery, but the details differ. Uber Eats focuses on restaurant food delivery. DoorDash also delivers restaurant food and has a similar pay structure. Instacart focuses on grocery delivery and typically pays per batch (multiple items from one store) rather than per single delivery. Grubhub is another restaurant delivery service with comparable rates.
Pay rates, vehicle requirements, and customer bases vary by platform and by city. Some contractors work for multiple platforms at the same time to increase earning opportunities. Each platform has its own app, ratings system, and rules. You can sign up for more than one platform without conflict, though you cannot accept orders from two platforms simultaneously.
The background check requirements are similar across platforms, but vehicle age limits and insurance requirements may differ slightly. Check each platform's requirements in your specific city before signing up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a commercial driver's license to deliver for Uber Eats?
No. A standard driver's license is sufficient. However, your personal auto insurance must cover commercial use, or you must purchase a commercial or rideshare insurance policy. Some insurance companies offer rideshare add-ons that are cheaper than full commercial coverage.
What if I get into an accident while delivering?
Your personal auto insurance may not cover the accident if it does not include commercial use. Uber provides some liability coverage for accidents that occur while you are actively delivering (between pickup and dropoff), but this is secondary coverage and only applies after your personal insurance. You should contact your insurance company before you start delivering to understand what is and is not covered.
Can I deliver for Uber Eats if I have a criminal record?
Uber's background check policy varies by state and by the type of offense. Generally, felonies and certain misdemeanors within the past seven years can result in denial. You can contact Uber support before applying to ask whether your specific situation will disqualify you, though Uber does not always provide a clear answer in advance.
How often do I get paid?
Uber deposits earnings into your bank account weekly, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday. You can view your earnings in the app at any time. There is no minimum amount you must earn before you receive a payout, though your bank may take one to three business days to process the deposit.
What if a customer reports that their food never arrived?
Uber investigates reports of missing deliveries. If a customer claims they did not receive their order, Uber may refund the customer and deduct the amount from your account. You can dispute this through the app if you believe you completed the delivery correctly. Taking a photo of the food at the customer's door before you leave can help protect you in disputes, though Uber does not require this.