Your car must meet Uber's age, condition, and registration requirements before you can start driving
Uber requires your vehicle to pass a vehicle inspection that checks its age, mileage, safety features, and overall condition. The inspection happens after you submit your car's information through the Uber app — you cannot drive until it passes. Most cars built within the last 15 years can meet the standard, but the exact year cutoff depends on your location and the Uber service level you want to drive.
Beyond age, your car must have a valid registration in your name, a clean title (no liens or salvage history), and current insurance. Uber also runs a background check on the vehicle itself through a third-party service to look for accident history, flood damage, and structural repairs. If your car has been in a major accident or declared a total loss by an insurance company, it will not pass.
Key Takeaways
- Your car must be at least 15 years old in most markets, though some cities allow older vehicles and some require newer ones — check your local Uber requirements before you start the process.
- The vehicle inspection checks the car's exterior, interior, lights, brakes, and tires in person, and you schedule it through Uber's app at an approved inspection location.
- Your car's title must be clean (no salvage, flood, or lien history), and you must own it or have the owner's permission to use it for Uber.
- Insurance must be active and cover commercial rideshare driving — personal auto insurance often does not, so contact your insurer before you apply.
- The entire process from submission to approval typically takes one to two weeks if your car passes inspection on the first attempt.
Age and mileage limits for your vehicle
Uber's standard requirement is that your car was manufactured within the last 15 years, but this varies by city and by service level. UberX (the standard service) usually has the 15-year window, while Uber Black and Uber Comfort may require newer vehicles — sometimes as recent as 10 years old. A few markets allow cars older than 15 years if they are in excellent condition, and some cities with newer fleets require cars from the last 10 years across all services.
Mileage limits also vary. Most markets set a ceiling around 200,000 miles, though some allow higher mileage if the car passes inspection. The inspection itself is what matters most — a well-maintained 2015 car with 180,000 miles will pass if the brakes, tires, and body are in good shape, while a neglected 2018 with 80,000 miles may fail if the interior is damaged or the tires are worn.
Before you start the application, search "Uber vehicle requirements [your city]" or check the Uber Driver app to see the exact age and mileage rules where you plan to drive. Requirements change, and knowing them upfront saves you time if your car does not meet the current standard.
What the vehicle inspection covers
The inspection is a physical walkthrough of your car at an Uber-approved location. An inspector checks the exterior for dents, rust, and damage; the interior for tears, stains, and cleanliness; all lights and signals; brakes and brake pads; tires (including tread depth and condition); windshield and windows; and seatbelts. The car does not need to be pristine, but it must be safe and presentable to passengers.
You schedule the inspection through the Uber Driver app once you have submitted your vehicle information. Appointments are usually available within a few days at inspection centers in your area. Bring your registration, proof of insurance, and keys. The inspection takes about 15 minutes, and you receive a pass or fail result on the spot. If you fail, you can address the issues and reschedule — many people fail once and pass on a second attempt after fixing tires or cleaning the interior.
Common reasons for failure include bald or mismatched tires, cracked windshields, non-functioning lights, torn seats, stains or odors inside, and rust or dents that affect safety. If your car fails, the inspector will tell you which items need attention. Most repairs are inexpensive — new tires, a windshield replacement, or interior cleaning — and you can retest within days.
Title, ownership, and lien requirements
Your car's title must be clean, meaning it has no salvage, flood, or lien designation. Uber runs a title check through a third-party service that pulls records from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. If the title shows the car was declared a total loss, flooded, or has an outstanding loan against it, your application will be denied.
You must be the registered owner of the car, or you must have written permission from the owner to use it for Uber. If someone else owns the vehicle, that person will need to sign a consent form that you submit with your application. Uber may also contact the owner to verify. If the car has a loan or lease, check your financing agreement — many leases and loans prohibit commercial use, and using the car for Uber could violate the terms.
If you are financing the car, the lender's name will appear on the title as a lienholder. This does not automatically disqualify you, but Uber's system will flag it. Contact your lender to confirm they allow rideshare use, and keep documentation of their approval in case Uber asks for it.
Insurance requirements for rideshare driving
Your personal auto insurance almost certainly does not cover rideshare driving. Most personal policies exclude commercial use, and if you get into an accident while driving for Uber without rideshare coverage, your insurer can deny the claim. Uber provides some coverage while you are actively driving passengers, but it does not cover your car's damage if you cause the accident, and it does not cover you if you are between rides.
Before you submit your application, contact your insurance company and ask about rideshare or commercial coverage options. Some insurers offer a rideshare endorsement that costs $10 to $30 per month and covers you while you are logged into the Uber app. Others require you to switch to a commercial policy. A few insurers will not cover rideshare driving at all, in which case you will need to find a different company.
Uber requires proof of active insurance before you can drive. You will upload your insurance card through the app, and Uber verifies it with your insurer. If your coverage lapses or does not include rideshare, Uber will deactivate your account until you provide updated proof.
Registration and documentation you need to submit
Gather these documents before you start your application: your vehicle registration (current and in your name), proof of insurance with your name on the policy, your driver's license, and your Social Security number. You will also need a photo of your car's front, back, and sides taken in daylight — these are used to verify the car's condition and match it to the registration.
Upload these documents through the Uber Driver app. Uber's system checks that your name on the registration matches your name on your driver's license and that the registration is current. If the registration is expired or in someone else's name, your application will be rejected and you will need to reapply once you have renewed or transferred the registration.
Keep copies of everything you submit. If Uber asks follow-up questions or if there is a discrepancy, you will want to have the originals on hand. The entire submission process takes about 10 minutes, but approval can take several days to a week as Uber processes the documents and schedules your inspection.
What happens after your car passes inspection
Once your car passes inspection and all your documents are verified, Uber will activate your account and you can begin accepting rides. This usually happens within one to two weeks of your initial submission, though it can be faster if you schedule your inspection quickly and everything is in order.
Your vehicle approval is not permanent. Uber may ask you to reinspect your car periodically, especially if you have been driving for several years or if your car's mileage increases significantly. You will receive a notification through the app if a reinspection is required. Additionally, if you get into an accident or if Uber receives a complaint about your car's condition, they may require an inspection before you can drive again.
If your car no longer meets requirements — for example, if it ages out of the 15-year window — Uber will notify you and give you a deadline to replace it or switch to a different service level if available. You cannot drive until you have a car that meets current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a car that is financed or leased?
You can use a financed car if the lender allows commercial use — check your loan agreement or call the lender to confirm. Leased vehicles are usually prohibited because lease agreements typically forbid commercial use. If you use a leased car for Uber without permission, you could breach the lease and face penalties.
What if my car fails inspection the first time?
You can fix the issues and reschedule. The inspector will tell you what failed — usually tires, lights, or interior condition. Once you address those items, you can book another inspection, often within days. Most people pass on their second attempt.
Does Uber's insurance cover my car if I get into an accident?
Uber's insurance covers passenger injuries and third-party liability while you are actively driving passengers, but it does not cover your own car's damage if you cause the accident. You need your own rideshare insurance for that. Between rides, you have no Uber coverage at all.
Can I drive for Uber if my car has been in an accident before?
It depends on the accident's severity. Minor accidents do not automatically disqualify you, but if your car was declared a total loss or has a salvage title, Uber will reject it. Uber's title check will reveal this information, so you will know before you invest time in the application.
How often does Uber reinspect vehicles?
Uber does not have a fixed reinspection schedule, but they may require one if your car ages significantly, if you have been driving for several years, or if there is a complaint about your vehicle's condition. You will receive notice through the app if a reinspection is needed.