Your driving history and level of insurance are just a few of the things that could keep you from being a rideshare driver.
Driving for a transportation network company (TNC), also known as a “rideshare” service, is an effective way to make money in the modern gig economy. However, even with an easy-to-use platform, not every person can become or remain an Uber driver or delivery driver. Frankly, some would-be drivers could get denied from rideshare work or deactivated after driving for years.
You can get denied or rejected from future trips as an Uber driver or delivery driver based on a few factors
So you’ve got your car and you’re ready to start driving with a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Cool. Unfortunately for some would-be drivers, a rejection could happen for any number of reasons.
- Past instances of driving under the influence (DUI) or reckless driving
- Charges of driving with expired documentation
- Insufficient vehicle choice
- Non-driving-related charges in your background check
- Insufficient insurance coverage
Understandably, a past DUI or reckless driving charge could land you on the no-drive list with Uber. However, the verbiage in the background checks section reads any “recent” serious driving violation. People change, and a past misdemeanor driving violation might not keep a driver from rideshare work forever.
What’s more, the California-based TNC requires every driver to maintain current documentation. That means no driving on an expired license or registration. Beyond documentation, Uber expects its platform workers to drive a sufficient vehicle. For instance, the popular rideshare service doesn’t allow rebuilt titles, seating for less than four, or anything over 13 model years old.
While a DUI might be one of the first things you think of that would keep a driver from passing their background check, it’s not alone. “Recent felony offenses, serious criminal offenses, pending criminal charges, and multiple moving violations or accidents in the last three years” could keep a would-be Uber driver off the road, per the TNC’s Deactivations page.
Finally, Uber requires its rideshare and delivery workers to “maintain personal automobile insurance at mandatory minimum limits.” As such, and understandably, you shouldn’t expect to pick up rideshare work without car insurance coverage.
