How old do you have to be to do Uber Eats? In the US, Uber’s delivery page sets the minimum at 18 if you deliver by bike or on foot and 19 if you use a motorbike, scooter or car, with a footnote on the car row that sets 21 in California and New York State.[1] The other requirements depend on the vehicle you choose, and they are short enough to check before you start the application.
This guide covers the age rules, what each vehicle type needs, how sign-up and the background screening work, and how Uber says couriers are paid, without making any claim about what you might earn.
What is the Uber Eats age requirement?
Uber lists the minimum age by how you deliver. Uber’s delivery page says: bike or on foot, at least 18; motorbike or scooter, at least 19; car, at least 19, with a footnote that the motor vehicle minimum is 21 in California and New York State.
| Way of delivering | Minimum age (US) | ID or license needed |
|---|---|---|
| Bike or on foot | 18 | Government-issued ID |
| Motorbike or scooter | 19 | Valid driver’s license in your name |
| Car | 19 (footnote: 21 in California and New York State) | Valid driver’s license in your name |
Two things this table does not say are worth stating. First, Uber’s page lists no option for anyone under 18, so a 16-year-old or a 14-year-old cannot register as a courier there. Second, other countries have their own sign-up pages with their own ages, so treat the figures above as US rules only. DoorDash sets its own ages; see DoorDash age requirements by state.
Age also matters for one type of order. Uber’s delivery basics page says that if you are 21 or older, and depending on where you are, you may be eligible to deliver alcohol.[2]
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What are the Uber Eats car and vehicle requirements?
For a car, the US page asks for a 2-door or 4-door vehicle, a valid driver’s license in your name and a Social Security number for the background screening. Uber’s help article for car delivery adds that the car must be covered by valid vehicle insurance, and that you will need to supply the name, birth date, license information and vehicle details that match your Driver profile.[3]
People often search for the maximum age of the car. Uber’s help article lists a minimum model year for car delivery, but that article directs readers to the Canadian sign-up page, so we do not treat its figure as a US rule. Third-party websites give conflicting year limits, and we have not used them. The reliable way to find out is to enter your car’s details during sign-up, where Uber checks them.
Other vehicles have lighter requirements. For a motorbike or scooter you need the valid license and the Social Security number for screening. For a bike or on foot, you need a government-issued ID, a Social Security number and other personal information for the screening.
How do you sign up to deliver with Uber Eats?
Uber describes the process in a few steps: sign up as a delivery person, consent to a screening, then upload the required documents and a photo. Once Uber tells you that you are active, you can start receiving delivery requests, and when you are ready you go online in the Driver app.
Uber’s help article is specific about the photos. A clear, current driver’s license or photo ID, a profile photo and proof of vehicle insurance are the accepted items, and the pictures must meet these conditions:
- all text is readable and all four corners of the document are visible;
- the documents are current and will not expire soon;
- the name matches the one on your Driver profile;
- scanned images are not accepted.
If the photos are not uploaded by the deadline, Uber says you will not be able to go online. Uber’s delivery basics page adds that once your account is active and every step is complete, you should be able to select Go on the Driver app’s home screen without an error.
Tip: Take the document photos in daylight on a flat surface before you start the application, and check the expiry dates first. A near-expired license is one of the conditions the help article warns about.
What does the background check involve?
Uber says delivery drivers in the US must pass a background screening, which is why it asks for a Social Security number up front. Uber’s US pages do not say how long it takes or which companies run it. One Uber help article names Checkr, Samba Safety and HireRight and quotes 3 to 5 business days, but it links to the Canadian sign-up page, so we do not treat those details as US rules.
Uber’s pages do not publish a list of disqualifying records, and we do not guess at one. Copy your name, birth date and license number straight from your documents so the details you enter match them.
Can you use the same Uber account for rides and food delivery?
Uber’s delivery pages do not explain how a rider account or a rides driver profile is linked to delivery, so we cannot say what carries over. The sign-up flow tells you what is already on file and what is missing.
If you already drive for Uber, check the options in your Driver app before starting a new application, because the app is where Uber says you go online to deliver.
How do Uber Eats couriers get paid?
Uber’s delivery earnings page says that earnings come from the base fare, promotions and tips, and that you keep 100% of the tips you receive.[4] The same page says a fare includes the base amount and any upfront tip the customer adds when placing the order, and that you may see promotions such as Quest or Boost+ from time to time in the Discover section of the Driver app. Quest pays more for completing a certain number of trips under set criteria, and Boost+ pays extra for delivery trips started and completed in a certain area. Both are optional and neither is a promise of income.
For getting the money out, Uber describes several routes. Funds are usually deposited on Thursdays if you do not use another option. Instant Pay lets you cash out available earnings for a small fee, at any time and up to 6 times per day. Uber says its pages are for information only and do not guarantee earnings.
Couriers are independent contractors, so tax is not withheld from these payments. Uber’s tax guide says you may owe quarterly taxes on your earnings and lists the documents it issues: a 1099-K for gross on-trip earnings above the stated threshold and a 1099-NEC for promotions and referrals of $600 or more.[5] Uber gives no tax advice, so a tax professional should confirm what applies to you.
What should you check before applying?
A short list covers most of the process:
- Your age against the minimum for the vehicle you plan to use, and the state, since the car row carries a footnote of 21 for California and New York State.
- A license or government-issued ID that is current and in your own name.
- Insurance that is valid for the car, with a document you can photograph.
- A Social Security number and personal details that match your documents exactly, for the background screening.
- Time for the screening; Uber’s US pages publish no fixed timeframe, so apply before you need to start.
None of this tells you what a delivery shift will pay, and Uber does not publish an average. After a few weeks, the earnings summary in the Driver app is the only number worth planning around. If you are weighing apps, see DoorDash vs Uber Eats for couriers.
