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How Uber Eats Background Checks Work In 2024 [& How to Pass]

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If you’re looking to drive with Uber Eats, you may be wondering what the background check process is like. In this post, we’ll give you an overview of what to expect for the background check and how to pass it.

Key Takeaways

  • Uber Eats emphasizes safety by conducting thorough background checks, including criminal history, to ensure client security.
  • Applicants must be of legal age, possess a valid driver’s license, and have a clean record, especially free from major convictions or violent crimes.
  • Drivers must provide personal identification, driving records, and bank details to facilitate the background check and payment process.
  • The background check involves consent, document submission, and a varying waiting period, with potential outcomes communicated via the app or website.

Understanding the Uber Eats Background Check

Uber Eats, like any successful business, places a strong emphasis on safety and security.

Think about it this way: the company has to trust individuals with perishable food items. After all, drivers will have access to sensitive information like client addresses. That’s why the business verifies every employee before it hires them.

Because of that, a crucial part of the process of becoming a driver is a background check. By screening potential drivers, Uber Eats aims to identify individuals who may pose a risk to the safety of clients.

Types of Background Checks

Uber Eats conducts several background checks to ensure customer safety. Here’s a breakdown of the key checks:

  1. Criminal History: Uber Eats reviews your criminal record by coordinating with local law enforcement to check for any past convictions or current charges.
  2. Driving Records: The company examines your driving history, including your license status, to assess your driving skills and any recent incidents like accidents or traffic violations.
  3. Identity Verification: Finally, Uber Eats may ask you to confirm your identity by providing your social security number and other personal documents such as your address.

Requirements for the Background Check

Driving for Uber Eats can be an incredibly lucrative side hustle. Yet, before you start making money, you’ll need to pass the background check. In order to do so, you must meet a few requirements.

vector graphic that shows various elements of an Uber Eats background check - an Uber Eats employee looking through a magnifying glass at driver applications

For starters, you have to be at least 19 years old to deliver by car or scooter. However, this number may change depending on where you live.

You also must have a driver’s license that’s valid for a minimum of one year. Applicants with suspended or revoked licenses will be rejected on the spot.

Your criminal record should be free of major convictions or violent crimes over the past seven years. That includes any felonies like sexual offenses, theft, or the use of unlicensed firearms and lethal weapons. However, minor violations won’t disqualify an applicant from becoming a driver.

For more information on convictions that can lead to rejections, it’s a good idea to check Uber’s felony record policy.

Documentation Requirements

In addition to fulfilling the necessary criteria, applying to Uber Eats requires submitting several documents:

  1. Identity Verification: Uber Eats will request a recent photo of you for your profile. You may also need to provide an identification card or a birth certificate.
  2. Driving Capability Assessment: The company requires documents to assess your driving abilities. This includes your driver’s license, vehicle license plate number, and proof of liability insurance and vehicle registration (light motor vehicle certificate).
  3. Payment Information: Lastly, Uber Eats needs your bank account or ATM card details to process your payments.

If you have access to these documents, you should have no problem passing the check.

How to Prepare for Your Uber Background Check

While a background check can be a daunting process, there are a few tips you can try to alleviate the pressure.

For starters, it’s a good idea to check your personal records beforehand to avoid surprises. Go through your history and make sure there are no offenses that’ll stop you from working for Uber Eats.

After that, review all the personal information you provide in your application. Confirm that your name, address, and contact data are accurate and up-to-date. Any discrepancies in this information may lead to delays or issues during the screening process.

Finally, it’s essential that you’re as transparent as possible with your driving history and insurance certification.

The Process of the Uber Background Check

Understanding why Uber Eats requires a background check helps us appreciate the verification process. Although it might seem a bit cumbersome, the effort can pay off when you start working with Uber Eats.

To simplify things, let’s break down the process into clear, manageable steps, from the initial application to your eventual approval.

Step 1: The Application

The background screening process starts with your application. When you visit the Uber Eats platform and sign up as a driver, the app will ask you for a few details.

Start by filling in your name, email, phone number, city, and social security number. Then, you get to choose which delivery transportation type you want to use. You have the option of a car, scooter, or bicycle.

After that, Uber Eats will ask you to supply a few documents. Once that’s out of the way, all you have to do is click apply to move on to the next step.

Step 2: Consent and Initiation of Background Check

Uber can’t run a background check without your explicit permission. So, before the hiring process can begin, the company will reach out to you and ask for consent.

With permission and the information you provided in hand, Uber Eats can get started on the background check.

The company may reach out to a few FCRA-compliant third-party agencies to help with this step of the process. For example, in the US, Uber uses Checkr, HireRight, and SambaSafety. Yet, the agencies can change depending on your location.

Step 3: The Waiting Game

Unfortunately, background checks aren’t a one-size-fits-all process. Each screening is different depending on the region and the information the applicant provides.

So, the duration of the process can be incredibly varied. It can take Uber Eats anywhere from a few days to several weeks to complete the background check.

Once the background check is complete, Uber Eats should reach out to you within a couple of days to let you know the results.  

Potential Outcomes and What They Mean

Throughout the Uber background check process, you can check in on the progress. Uber Eats will give you an update on the status of your screening.

It’ll do that through the following labels:

  • Awaiting Submission: The third-party agency has yet to generate the background check report.
  • Pending: Your screening is currently under review by Uber Eats.
  • Complete: The background check wrapped up without any issues or delays.
  • Incomplete/On Hold: You have to supply more information for the screening to continue.
  • Clear: The applicant passed the screening process and is eligible to start receiving delivery requests.
  • Consider: The applicant needs further screening, and the review is pending.
  • Dispute: The applicant disputed the results of the background check and requires further examination.

How to Check The Status of Your Background Check

There are a couple of ways you can check the status of your background check with Uber. The most convenient method involves the app.

All you have to do is log on to your driver’s account and head to the application page. At the top, you should be able to see the status of your screening.

Other than that, you can keep an eye on the status using the Uber Eats website.

Appealing a Background Check

If you don’t agree with the outcome of your background check, you don’t have to worry. Thankfully, you can dispute the results of the screening. 

What Happens If I’m Rejected?

There are a few reasons Uber Eats will reject an applicant. For instance, the potential employee may have made a mistake during the application process.

Other than that, it can be due to technical error. That’s why it’s crucial to dispute the results.

You have to understand the reasoning behind the rejected background check to fix the issue. Fortunately, you can reach out to the Uber Eats’ customer support team to unravel the mystery.

Sadly, Uber doesn’t give any specific instructions as to how a rejected applicant can reapply. Yet, the customer service department should be able to tell you how to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

surge map showing a visual of the best times to drive for uber

Do Taxi Drivers Have Stricter Background Checks Than Uber Drivers?

Yes, taxi drivers tend to undergo more comprehensive background checks and a stricter interview process.

Can a Felon Drive for Uber?

If an applicant committed any felony within the past seven years, they’re not eligible to work for Uber Eats.

How Do I Contact Uber About My Background Check?

You can check on the status of your screening through the app or the Uber website.

How Often Do Uber Eats Background Checks Happen?

Uber will run a background check on every employee at least once a year. That way, it can ensure the safety of its clients.

Wrapping Up

Uber Eats has changed the way people order food online. On top of that, it’s provided countless opportunities for gig workers.

However, to qualify for the job, drivers will need to pass the Uber Eats background check. To start the process, applicants will have to provide personal information and several documents.

Then, Uber will commission third-party agencies to conduct the screening. This can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

When the results come back, the ride-sharing business will reach out to you with its verdict.