Vehicle requirements for driving with Uber – what car do you need?

If you are considering becoming an independent driver, it’s vital to understand what vehicle requirements are needed for different types of rides. As more and more people sign up to drive with Uber, we hope to help provide new drivers with a clear guide and help you get started.

What are the vehicle & car requirements?

What kind of car do you need to drive with Uber? How old can your car be to drive with Uber? To drive with Uber’s most popular option, UberX,, you need a car that meets their requirements in full. There is no comprehensive cars list, but if your vehicle meets the requirements for UberX trips listed below, you are probably good to go. Vehicle requirements do vary by city.

• Vehicle Age – What year does your car need to be to drive with Uber? Uber year requirements vary from city to city. Your vehicle must be 15 model years old or newer. but the threshold could be different depending on where you live.
• Current Registration – Car requirements state that you need to provide your registration document.
• Configuration – All car models must be a four-door sedan and be able to seat four or more passengers comfortably.
• No visible cosmetic damage
• You must complete a vehicle inspection
• The driver has to complete the background check process

All vehicles must meet the  requirements before they can be used on the platform.

Find out which cars qualify for Uber trips.

Find what you need to know about driver requirements here.

Are there requirements for different cities?

The short answer is yes. There are different state and city regulations that affect rideshare vehicle requirements. It means that even if you’ve already been approved to drive with Uber in one city, you’ll need to check whether your vehicle is suitable for Uber trips in another place. 

Okay, so how do you check the vehicle requirements in other cities? Go to help.uber.com/partners and sign up as a partner. Next, find the city that you are planning on driving in. Now you can compare the requirements for each city.

Requirements for Uber Comfort

Uber Comfort is a ride option for passengers who expect the driver to have a higher star rating. For drivers to be eligible for Uber Comfort trips, their vehicle must meet the minimum vehicle year requirement in their city. . They also must have a minimum rating of 4.85, and must have completed the minimum trips required in their city.

Requirements for UberXL

UberXL is a ride option for those who need to fit a larger number of passengers. The vehicle must have at least 5 passenger seats with 5 seat belts.

Requirements for Uber Black

Only vehicles that aren’t older than 6 years are eligible for this ride type, but this may vary by city. The driver also has to have a rating of 4.85 or higher.

Requirements for Black

Only vehicles that aren’t older than 5 years old can can be driven for this service. The driver also has to have a rating of 4.85 or higher.

Remember that different states and even cities in close proximity to each other could have different regulations that can affect rideshare vehicle requirements. It means that although your vehicle might not be suitable for a particular type of ride in one place it doesn’t mean that you won’t have more luck in others That’s why it’s best to check the Uber app.

Are there different car requirements for Uber Eats?

The vehicle requirements for delivering with Uber Eats are indeed less strict. If you decide that you want to deliver food to people’s homes, it doesn’t matter whether your car has 2 or 4 doors. You also need only one year of driving experience. These requirements may vary by city.

What is the vehicle inspection requirement?

Before you start driving with Uber, your vehicle has to pass a vehicle inspection. Once you are cleared to drive with Uber, you need to complete the vehicle inspections once a year. What are some of the requirements to pass this inspection?

• passenger doors that open independently
• working seat belts
• working windows
• working air conditioning
• no visible cosmetic damages

How to rent a car to drive with Uber or Uber Eats

If you don’t have a vehicle that can pass the Vehicle Inspection, you can rent an eligible car. You don’t need to be the owner of the vehicle to drive with Uber or Uber Eats. If you find yourself in such a situation, feel free to research Uber’s Vehicle Marketplace.