Uber Car Requirements: Does Your Vehicle Quality To Drive?

Not just anyone can become an Uber driver.

The company ensures a high-quality service by having their drivers meet a handful of requirements.

One sector of these specifications is fulfilling the Uber car requirements.

What are Uber Car Requirements?

Uber car requirements are the minimum specifications that a vehicle must meet to be eligible for ridesharing.

When applying to work for Uber, you will need to show that you are a capable driver with a working vehicle.

The criteria are not challenging to meet, but they help to create a standard for Uber drivers and their services.

The second part of the Uber requirements is a little more detailed, and it really just depends on which service you’re looking to drive for.

Why are Uber Car Requirements Necessary?

Uber car requirements are necessary to minimize safety incidents, car accidents, and poor driving conditions.

They guarantee a safe and comfortable ride without compromising on the vehicle’s performance.

Furthermore, the requirements make the entire Uber drive process more amicable to passengers.

Newer cars are less likely to fail, and there are more available parts if they do.

Also, having four doors makes it easier for passengers to enter and exit the car.

Most people feel safe in a clean, relatively new, and well-maintained car.

By setting minimum standards, Uber can promote a better environment for riders and drivers.

Note: Uber Vehicle Requirements Vary

However, you may have trouble finding general Uber car requirements because they vary.

Depending on your city and the service you provide, you will need to meet different minimum requirements.

They Vary by City

Each city varies in its Uber car requirements.

Since cities have separate laws and policies regarding rideshare drivers, you might need commercial insurance or pass a more stringent vehicle inspection.

You can check your city requirements here.

The example listed is for New York City.

If you want to look for your city, change your location at the bottom of the page or search for yours specifically.

They Vary by Uber Service

Depending on the service you wish to provide, you will have different car requirements.

Working for Uber Lux or UberBlack indicates a higher quality vehicle than UberX.

For example, UberBlack cars must be under six years old.

Also, each service requires a different size vehicle with various accommodations.

General Uber Car Requirements

Despite the variance between cities and services, you can expect to fulfill at least these general requirements.

Minimum Uber Car Requirements Every Vehicle Must Meet

The minimum Uber car requirements that every vehicle must meet include:

• No cosmetic damage
• 15 years old or newer
• Good condition
• No commercial branding or taxi color paint
• Seat four to seven passengers excluding the driver
• Have a 4-door vehicle
• Pass the vehicle inspection
• Have air conditioning and working windows
• Not rebuilt, taxis, branded, or government vehicles
• No rental cars, except through an approved company

Other requirements to expect include having seatbelts, a legal car registration, and your own insurance policy that complies with local laws.

Uber Vehicle Inspection

You will need to pass the Uber vehicle inspection to qualify as a driver.

You can get the inspection done at an Uber Greenlight Hub or with an approved third-party center.

The inspection will determine if your car is safe to drive and comfortable to ride in.

Vehicles That Don’t Qualify for Uber

Some vehicles that you can expect to not qualify for any Uber service include:

• Taxis
• Full-sized vans
• Police cars
• Government or branded vehicles
• Salvaged, modified, or rebuilt cars
• Box trucks

If you feel unsure about your vehicle, keep reading to learn more about what vehicles meet the eligibility requirements.

Uber Rideshare Vehicle Requirements

Here is an overview of the rideshare vehicle requirements for each Uber service.

UberX Vehicle Requirements

UberX is the most popular option.

It fits four passengers, comes at an affordable price, and has the fewest vehicle requirements.

Apart from the minimum requirements, you will need:

• Four full, independently opening doors
• Five factory-installed seat belts and seats

Some common car models include:

• Honda Accord
• Nissan Altima
• Toyota Camry
• Honda Civic
• Toyota Corolla
• Ford Focus
• Chevrolet Malibu
• Volkswagen Passat
• Toyota Prius
• Nissan Sentra

Keep in mind that not all subcompact vehicles qualify for UberX and driver promotions.

Research your vehicle to see if it meets the requirements.

UberXL Vehicle Requirements

UberXL seats around five or six passengers, leading to an increased price and larger vehicle requirements.

You will need at least seven factory-installed seat belts and seats.

Some popular vehicle options include:

UberXL vehicles must have seating for up to six passengers, and they are usually minivans and SUVs.

Drivers for this service level make significantly more than UberX when driving for an UberXL fare.

This is to justify the extra cost of the vehicle itself and the fact that, more often than not, these larger vehicles will consume more gas than smaller cars.

UberXL vehicle requirements:

• Must have 4 doors and be able to carry 6 passengers
• Year varies by city – some require 2004 or newer, some require 2009 or newer
• In-state car insurance, registration, and plates
• Vehicle must pass an Uber inspection

Example UberXL vehicles:

• Dodge Caravan
• Honda Odyssey
• Ford Explorer
• Toyota Sienna
• Toyota Highlander
• Honda Pilot
• Chevrolet Suburban
• Nissan Pathfinder
• Ford Expedition
• Chrysler Town and Country
• Jeep Cherokee
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Nissan Quest

Uber Comfort Vehicle Requirements

Uber Comfort provides extra legroom and a comfortable ride at an accessible price.

You can avoid compact cars, making Uber Comfort great for longer trips.

The vehicle requirements include:

• Drivers having a 4.85+ rating and having taken 250 rides
• Maintaining eligibility for other Uber options
• Having more legroom than compact cars

Some popular Uber Comfort models include:

• Volkswagen Atlas
• Toyota Camry
• Dodge Durango
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class
• Lexus ES
• Cadillac Escalade
• Ford F-150
• Honda Odyssey
• Kia Soul
• Chevy Tahoe

Uber Green Vehicle Requirements

Uber Green fits eco-friendly passengers who want to ride in a hybrid or electric car.

They get an extra $1 charge that splits 50% to Uber’s zero-emissions projects and 50% to drivers.

The vehicle must meet UberX requirements but function on hybrid or electric technology.

Some popular Uber Green cars are:

• Honda Accord Hybrid
• Chevrolet Bolt
• Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
• Ford Fusion Hybrid
• Honda Insight
• Hyundai Ioniq Electric
• Kia Optima Hybrid
• Toyota Prius
• All Teslas

Uber Select Vehicle Requirements

UberSELECT is an entry-level way to get into the luxury market without paying luxury car pricing.

UberSELECT vehicles must seat up to four passengers and are typically a sedan that’s a step up from an UberX, but it is not as strict as UberBlack.

All in all, both of these service levels are very similar to drive for.

UberSELECT vehicle requirements:

• Must have 4 doors and comfortably fit 4 riders
• Must be higher-end or luxury; this means at least a leather interior
• Year varies by city — many require 2009 or newer
• In-state car insurance, registration, and plates
• Vehicle must pass an Uber inspection
• Models not much older than ten years
• Luxury sedan
• Five factory-installed seats and seat belts
• Vinyl or leather interior

Example UberSELECT vehicles:

• Land Rover Discovery
• Acura MDX
• Chrysler 300
• Lexus GS
• BMW X3 and X5
• Buick Enclave
• Lexus LX
• BMW 3+
• Audi A3+
• Mercedes C-Class+
• Hyundai Equus and Genesis
• Volvo S60/S80
• Most Acuras (RDX, etc)
• Most Cadillacs (CTX, Escellade, etc..)
• All Infinitis
• All Lincolns
• All Teslas

Uber Black/BlackSUV Vehicle Requirements

UberBLACK is Uber’s luxury vehicle service type.

Drivers must have commercial livery insurance and be commercially registered.

This is one of the most expensive services for riders (which means it can really pay off for you as a driver if you can meet the requirements).

UberBLACK vehicles will be a step up from UberSELECT.

For example, a BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, or Mercedes-Benz C Series may be OK for UberSELECT, but you will need at least a BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, or Mercedes-Benz E Class for UberBLACK.

UberBlack and BlackSUV build upon the UberSelect requirements, providing high-end black car service.

They have some of the strictest standards, such as:

• Black exterior coating
• Black leather interior or vegan leather seating
• The model under five years old
• Commercial insurance, registration, and airport permits

UberBlack models include:

• BMW 5 and 7 Series
• Audi A6, A7, and A8
• Mercedes-Benz E- and S-Class
• All Porsches
• All Teslas
• Jaguar XF/XJ
• Cadillac XTS

BlackSUVs need to seat at least six passengers and meet the above requirements.

Some sample black SUVs include:

• Cadillac Escalade
• Ford Expedition
• Mercedes GL-Class
• Lexus LX
• Lincoln Navigator
• Infiniti QX60/QX80
• Chevrolet Suburban
• GMC Yukon XL

Uber LUX Vehicle Requirements

If you want to really level up your earnings game, UberLUX is where you need to be.

Uber LUX gives passengers full-sized luxury vehicles for a special trip by using the best models from top brands.

It is pricey, but you get what you pay for.

UberLUX vehicle requirements:

• The vehicle must be a full-size SUV, crossover SUV, or sedan
• Must be in near-immaculate condition
• Must have a black exterior and interior
• Year varies by city — many require 2013 and newer
• In-state car insurance, registration, and plates
• Vehicle must pass an Uber inspection

Example UberLUX vehicles:

• Audi A8
• Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Jaguar XJ
• BMW 7 Series
• Tesla Model S
• Infiniti XF
• Porsche Panamera
• Maybach
• Rolls Royce
• Range Rover
• Lexus GX
• Lexus LS
• Bentley

Uber Eats Vehicle Requirements

If you are interested in driving for Uber Eats, you have much less stringent vehicle requirements.

You could even work via scooter, bicycle, or foot.

If you choose to operate by vehicle, you can have a two-door car that’s up to 30 years old.

You just need registration and insurance.

Uber Connect Vehicle Requirements

Uber Connect lets you deliver packages quickly without going through the post office.

You hand your package to the courier who takes it to its destination.

Uber Connect’s requirements are approximately the same as Uber Eats.

You just need a working car, bike, or scooter to carry packages.

How to Find Uber Vehicle Requirements for Your City

If you want to become an Uber driver, you need to find the Uber car requirements for your city.

Uber’s Eligible Vehicle Tool

One of the easiest ways to determine if you have an eligible vehicle is by using Uber’s Eligible Vehicle Tool.

You type in your city name and select your car model to see if it meets the requirements.

The tool displays the oldest year it can be and the services it qualifies for.

If you have a newer model, you can still participate in the same services.

A Greenlight Hub in Your City

You can also visit an Uber Greenlight Hub near your city to see if you fulfill the vehicle requirements.

If your model checks out, you can even get the inspection at the location.

The Best Vehicles to Drive for Uber

Some of the top qualities shared by the best Uber vehicles include a relatively recent model, a well-maintained interior and exterior, and having the necessary insurance.

Newer models are less likely to encounter issues, and you can readily find replacement parts.

Having a clean and functioning interior and exterior will minimize safety incidents and keep passengers comfortable.

Lastly, you will need insurance and registration to drive in most cities, and it can give your passengers peace of mind.

The three popular vehicle options that Uber drivers use are the latest models of the:

• Honda Civic
• Toyota Camry
• Honda Accord

Even better, look for the hybrid versions of these and similar vehicles.

That way, you can qualify for Uber Green and UberX for more earning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Driving for Uber is a great gig for anyone who wants a flexible opportunity with a low barrier to entry.

Read our answers to these common questions to learn more about what it takes to be eligible to earn:

Before You Go…

Uber car requirements ensure the safety of vehicles for the drivers and riders.

They set a standard for Uber services and minimize accidents.

By having a recent, well-maintained car, you can likely qualify as an UberX driver.

Now that you know all about Uber car requirements, why don’t you explore our other tips for rideshare drivers at Ridester.com?

You can find out everything you need to know about ridesharing and delivery apps on our website.