What Uber checks and why

Uber runs a background check on every driver before you can start accepting rides. The check looks for criminal history, driving violations, and sex offender registry status. Uber uses a third-party screening company — currently Checkr in most states — to pull records from courts, the DMV, and national databases.

The company rejects applicants with certain convictions (felonies within the past seven years, violent crimes, sexual offenses, and drug-related felonies are common disqualifiers), serious driving violations like DUIs, or active warrants. Uber also checks whether you're on any sex offender registry. The exact rules vary by state and sometimes by city, because local law sets what Uber can and cannot consider.

Uber does this because passengers need to know the person driving them is not a documented safety risk. It's also a legal requirement in most places — rideshare companies are required by state transportation boards to screen drivers before they work.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber's background check covers criminal history, driving record violations, and sex offender registry status, and is performed by a third-party company before you can start driving.
  • Felonies within seven years, violent crimes, sexual offenses, and serious driving violations like DUIs typically result in rejection, though exact rules vary by state.
  • The check takes 3 to 5 business days in most cases, though delays happen if records are incomplete or if a court takes longer to respond.
  • If you're rejected, you can dispute the results through Checkr's dispute process or wait until disqualifying convictions age out of the lookback window.

How long the background check takes

Uber says the background check typically completes in 3 to 5 business days. In practice, this means you might see a result by the end of the week if you submit on a Monday, or it could stretch into the following week if records are slow to arrive from courts or the DMV.

Delays happen when a court hasn't digitized old records, when the DMV is backlogged, or when Checkr needs to manually verify something. If your check is taking longer than a week, you can contact Uber support to ask for a status update. Checkr will also send you an email if they need more information from you — usually a clarification about an address or name variation.

What shows up on your driving record

Uber pulls your driving record from your state's DMV. This includes speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, DUIs, suspended licenses, reckless driving citations, and insurance violations. A single speeding ticket won't disqualify you, but a pattern of violations or a serious offense like a DUI usually will.

The lookback period for driving violations is typically three to five years, depending on your state. That means a ticket from six years ago probably won't appear or won't count against you, but a DUI from two years ago will. Uber's exact threshold varies — some cities are stricter than others — so you can ask Uber support what their specific standards are for your area before you apply.

Criminal history and the seven-year rule

Uber typically looks back seven years for criminal convictions. Felonies, violent crimes, sexual offenses, and drug-related convictions within that window are automatic rejections in most places. Misdemeanors are treated case-by-case — a single shoplifting charge from five years ago might not disqualify you, but multiple theft convictions will.

The seven-year window is not absolute. Some states allow Uber to consider older convictions if they're particularly serious, and some cities have their own rules that are stricter or more lenient. If you have a conviction you're concerned about, you can contact Uber support before you apply and ask whether it would disqualify you. They won't run the full background check until you formally apply, but they can often give you a sense of whether you should proceed.

Expungement and record sealing matter here. If your conviction was expunged or sealed by a court, it should not appear on a background check — though in practice, older or less sophisticated databases sometimes still show sealed records. If your check comes back with a sealed conviction, you can dispute it and provide the court order proving the record was sealed.

Sex offender registry checks

Uber checks the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) and state-specific registries. If your name appears on any registry, you will be rejected. This is non-negotiable and there is no appeal process — it's a legal requirement in every state.

If you believe you appear on a registry in error, you would need to work with the jurisdiction that placed you on it to have your name removed. That's a legal matter separate from Uber and would take months or longer. Until your name is removed from the registry itself, you cannot drive for Uber.

What to do if your background check is denied

If Uber rejects you, they send an email explaining the reason — usually something like "felony conviction on record" or "DUI within lookback period." The email also includes instructions for disputing the result through Checkr's dispute portal.

To dispute, you log into your Checkr account and select the item you believe is wrong. You can then upload documents — a court order showing a conviction was dismissed, a letter from the court saying a record was sealed, or a DMV printout showing a violation was removed. Checkr reviews the documents and either updates your report or confirms the original finding. This process takes 5 to 10 business days.

If the dispute doesn't work — for example, if the conviction is real and recent — your only option is to wait. Once a disqualifying conviction ages out of Uber's lookback window (usually seven years from the conviction date, not the sentence date), you can reapply. You can also reapply if you've had a conviction expunged or sealed by a court.

Checking your own record before you apply

You can pull your own background report before applying to Uber. This costs money through services like Checkr's consumer portal or through background check websites, but it shows you what Uber will see. Your state's DMV also lets you order your own driving record, usually for $5 to $15.

Knowing what's on your record before you apply saves time. If you see something that might disqualify you, you can decide whether to apply anyway, dispute it first, or wait until it ages out. You can also contact Uber support with specific questions about your situation — they won't run the check until you formally apply, but they can often tell you whether a particular item would be a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a misdemeanor show up on my background check?

Yes, misdemeanors show up in the seven-year lookback window. Whether they disqualify you depends on the type and how recent it is. A single misdemeanor from years ago might not matter, but multiple theft or assault convictions will likely result in rejection. Contact Uber support with your specific situation if you're unsure.

Can I drive for Uber while my background check is pending?

No. You cannot accept rides until your background check is complete and approved. Uber's app will show your status as "pending" and you won't have access to the driver dashboard. Once approved, you can start accepting rides immediately.

What if the background check has wrong information about me?

Use Checkr's dispute portal to challenge the information. Upload documents like court orders, DMV records, or letters from agencies proving the error. Checkr reviews disputes within 5 to 10 business days. If the information is correct but you believe Uber's policy is unfair, you can contact Uber support, but they cannot override the result.

How often does Uber re-run background checks?

Uber runs an initial check before you start driving. After that, they typically re-check annually or when you renew your driver profile. Some cities require more frequent checks. If you're arrested or convicted while driving for Uber, you should report it to Uber immediately — they may discover it during a re-check and deactivate your account.

Can I see what Checkr found about me?

Yes. Checkr sends you a copy of the report they provided to Uber. You can also create a free Checkr consumer account to view your own background report. This shows you exactly what Uber saw and gives you a chance to dispute anything before you formally apply.