Does Uber Hire Felons?

Uber has a strict tolerance for who they will hire to drive for them.

If you fail a background check, they do not allow you to work for them.

Uber uses the company Chekr to do background checks on their drivers.

If you fail the background check, you must wait 3-6 months before reapplication.

Let’s take a look at Uber’s requirements for drivers.

Does Uber Eats Hire Felons?

UberEats also does background checks through Chekr and will not hire felons.

Uber Eats does not consider parking tickets but does consider any severe violations.

These include:

• Violent crimes
• DUI charges
• Sexual offenses

You must also be 19 years old to drive for UberEats, and 18 for foot and bike deliveries.

You need to have at least one year of driving experience.

You must also be able to carry weight up to 30 pounds.

Does Uber Hire Misdemeanors?

Uber uses Chekr to perform background checks.

It takes your social insurance number and checks it across all states.

It will check that you have no more than three minor driving violations in the past three years, including:

• Speeding violations
• Driving without license/insurance
• Traffic light violations

In the past three years, you can have three or fewer minor vehicle misdemeanors and still get hired with Uber.

You cannot have any significant motor violations in the past seven years that include:

• DUI charge
• Hit and run accidents
• Street racing
• Reckless driving conditions

You cannot have any criminal conviction in the past seven years, including:

• Felony conviction
• Misdemeanor
• Sexual assault
• Violent crime
• Child endangerment/abuse

You cannot get hired if you have had any criminal conviction misdemeanors in the past seven years.

What Is Uber’s Second Chance Policy?

Uber states that they believe people should get a second chance at work.

They are aware that many people have criminal records and have made mistakes in the past.

In 2016, Uber signed the White House Fair Chance Business Pledge to give those with criminal records a chance at work.

Uber believes that people who make mistakes shouldn’t be punished for their entire lives.

They believe that Uber is an excellent job for people to get back on their feet as it’s flexible and easy to start.

They do this by:

• Notifying drivers that they can get felonies adjusted under Proposition 47
• Referring those who don’t qualify to Defy Ventures to find work

Does Uber Run Background Checks on Drivers?

The Uber background check consists of a few main requirements before you can drive for them.

First, you must pass a motor vehicle report.

This step requires at least one year of driving in your country.

Here are some more requirements:

• You must provide proof of in-state car insurance and a valid in-state driver’s license.
• A working vehicle and car registration documents are also required.
• If under the age of 23, you must have a minimum of three years of driving.

Uber uses the company Chekr, which is a third-party background check provider.

It will check for significant crimes, convictions, or pending charges in the past seven years.

Depending on state law, Uber will decide to hire you based on the information Chekr provides them.

In order to get started driving, you will have to provide Uber with:

• A valid driver’s license
• Social security number
• Proof of car insurance
• Vehicle registration
• The Uber inspection form

If all of these documents and your background check pass, you will be allowed to drive for them.

Ensure all records are correct and have not expired.

Note that the vehicle you are driving does not have to be owned by you.

It must be registered and insured.

How to Check Your Background Check With Uber

All documents must have clear images to be accepted.

You can check the status of your application by visiting the Uber candidate portal website. 

There are five different statuses:

• Complete
• Pending
• Clear
• Consider
• Dispute
  

Your application will be complete when Uber has processed all your information.

• Pending: This label means that Chekr and Uber are looking over your documents still. Check back soon.
• Clear: This label means you have passed your background check and may start driving for Uber.
• Consider: Uber will contact you for more information.
• Dispute: This labelmeans that Uber has rejected the application, and you can dispute their decision or accept it.  

The background check usually takes about 3-5 business days to complete.

How Far Back Does the Background Check Go?

The background check will go back seven years.

California has recently passed a law allowing them to look at the driver’s lifetime record.

Felony Convictions That Might Prevent You From Getting Hired With Uber

You cannot have any significant motor or criminal convictions in the past seven years.

The following convictions can prevent you from being hired:

• Murder
• Sexual assault
• Terrorism
• Serious criminal convictions and felonies

Pending charges for any severe crimes also count.

Does a Background Check Mean You Shouldn’t Apply for Uber?

Uber offers possibilities for drivers to drive even if they won’t be able to pass the background check.

Under Proposition 47, Uber allows people to have the opportunity to reduce their felonies to misdemeanors.

If you are worried about passing the background check, you should contact Uber and see if you fit the criteria.

Some of the felonies that the court in your area can reduce to misdemeanors include:

• Shoplifting less than $950
• Possession of controlled substances
• Grand theft auto/firearm less than $950

You will need to file for a petition and resentence under the law with the court of your original conviction.

If they grant the petition, the court will reduce the felony to a misdemeanor, and you can drive for Uber.

Is There Any Way Around the Background Check?

Whether you want to apply for Uber or Uber Eats, you must have a background check.

They are strict about this, and there is currently no way around them.

However, there are ways to get employed by Uber even if you cannot pass the background check.

It can include having minor felonies reduced to misdemeanors.

What Is Uber’s Acceptance Rate for Applicants?

Taking the number of ride requests you’ve accepted divided by the number of ride requests you received gives the acceptance rate.

After every Uber ride, customers leave a 1-5 star rating for their driver.

These create an average rating for each driver.

If they drop below a particular rating, they risk losing their job.

Providing customers with a safe ride is the best way to increase ratings.

Does Uber Drug Test Drivers?

There is no drug test required to become an Uber driver.

However, within 24 hours of an accident, Uber drivers must be drug tested.

Remain free of drugs while driving.

Even if there is an accident that you are not at fault, a drug test will occur, and you can lose your job.

Certain states require employee drug testing before and after hiring an employee.

There have been complaints that this goes against the privacy of an employer.

Tips for Applying to Uber With a Felony Record

Here are some methods for getting a job at Uber, even if you have felonies.

Uber’s goal is to provide those who want to change their past a chance at work.

Don’t Take the Job for Granted

If you get offered a job, be grateful for the opportunity Uber has given you.

A lot of companies have a zero-tolerance policy against felonies.

Uber tries to give everyone a chance at work, even if they’ve made mistakes in the past.

Keep Your Car in Great Condition

If multiple complaints are filed about your vehicle, you risk losing the job.

Riders want a clean and comfortable riding experience.

The vehicle should smell and look nice on the inside.

Don’t store trash inside the car.

Be VERY Polite to Passengers

Passengers decide if you keep your job.

Their reviews are what keep you in business.

Creating a positive environment for passengers ensures that you will receive good reviews.

Uber takes this into account.

Get a Dash Camera

Having a dash camera is a good idea in case anything goes wrong.

If someone commits a crime towards you, it’s helpful to have proof.

Most regulations will require the driver to disclose to riders that they are being recorded for privacy reasons.

If drivers are rude or disrespectful to riders on a recording, they risk losing their job.

Wrapping Up

Uber has proven that they care about their drivers and riders.

If a driver isn’t delivering the experience that the customers need, they are not allowed to keep the job.

If the driver has committed serious crimes, it is not safe for them to drive for Uber.

Uber does offer second chances and tries to accommodate for past mistakes.

The Uber application process is straightforward and does not require experience or qualifications.

It is excellent for anyone with a driver’s license looking to earn an extra income.