Most drivers are able to sign up and pass Uber’s background check just fine, but not everyone knows about Uber’s vehicle requirements. UberX, UberXL and UberSelect all allow you to use your personal vehicle to drive with Uber.
However, UberBlack, UberSUV and UberLUX all require commercial insurance and a TCP license or livery license. Typically, these higher levels of service only make sense if you’re looking to be a full-time driver since the associated costs are much higher.
Sign up here using our link to drive with Uber!
Uber Car Requirements For 2016
Uber has multiple service levels like UberX and UberBlack, but the requirements for its drivers are the same no matter what.
In order to drive with Uber on any level of service:
- You must be 21 years of age or older with 3 years of driving experience.
- Or you must be 23 years of age or older with 1 year of driving experience.
- You must have an in-state driver’s license.
- You must have a clean driving record.
- You must pass a background check.
Uber car requirements are below:
UberX Car Requirements:
- 4 door sedan or mid-sized car, must seat 4 passengers in addition to the driver.
- Year 2002 or newer for most cities
- Some cities have newer age year requirements – you can check your city here.
- Seattle, Pittsburgh,Washington DC – 2007 or newer
- New York – 2006 or newer (NYC requires TLC licensing and commercial insurance)
- No cosmetic damage on the vehicle but minor dings and scratches are okay
- No large passenger vans or commercial/Heavy Duty trucks (regular 4 door trucks are okay though)
- No commercial branding or taxi color paint jobs
- No salvaged vehicles and/or rebuilt vehicles
- Vehicle must be registered and insured in the state
- Vehicle must pass the Uber Vehicle Inspection
If you don’t have an eligible vehicle, there are numerous rideshare leasing and rental programs to choose from. Head over to our Uber Vehicle Marketplace to compare the options in your area.
Additional UberX Requirements:
- Driver’s full legal name must be listed on the vehicle insurance
- All drivers must pass a full background check
Recommended UberX Vehicles (but not limited to):
- Chevrolet Cruze
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Ford Fusion
- Ford Escape
- Honda Accord
- Honda Civic
- Hyundai Elantra
- Hyundai Sonata
- Hyundai Tucson
- Kia Optima
- Mazda MAZDA3
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Sentra
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Corolla
- Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen Jetta
- Volvo S40
- And many more
Restricted UberX Models (but not limited to):
- Ford Crown Victoria
- Mercury Grand Marquis
- Chevrolet Spark
- Taxis or other marked vehicles
- Full-sized vans (e.g. GMC Savanna, Ford Transit)
UberXL Car Requirements
- 4 door vehicle, must seat 6 passengers in addition to the driver.
- Year 2002 or newer for most cities
- Some cities have newer age year requirements – you can check your city here.
- Atlanta, Washington DC – 2005 or newer
- Seattle, Pittsburgh – 2006 or newer
- New York – 2006 or newer (NYC requires TLC licensing and commercial insurance)
- No cosmetic damage on the vehicle but minor dings and scratches are okay
- No large passenger vans or commercial/Heavy Duty trucks (regular 4 door trucks are okay though)
- No commercial branding or taxi color paint jobs
- No salvaged vehicles and/or rebuilt vehicles
- Vehicle must be registered and insured in the state
- Vehicle must pass the Uber Vehicle Inspection
Recommended Models (but not limited to):
- Acura MDX
- Buick Enclave
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Chevrolet Traverse
- Chrysler Aspen
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Chrysler Town & Country
- Dodge Caravan
- Dodge Durango
- Dodge Journey
- Ford Explorer
- Ford Flex
- GMC Acadia
- GMC Yukon
- Honda Pilot
- Honda Odyssey
- Hyundai Entourage
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Hyundai Veracruz
- Kia Borrego
- Kia Sedona
- Kia Sorento
- Mazda CX-9
- Nissan Armada
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Nissan Quest
- Toyota Highlander
- Toyota Land Cruiser
- Toyota Sequoia
- Volkswagen Routan
- Volkswagen Toureg
- And many more
UberSelect Car Requirements
UberSelect (formerly known as UberPlus) is available in most major cities and its prices are in-between UberX and UberBlack. So think of it as a mid-level luxury car platform.
The requirements are:
- 4 door luxury sedans, must seat 4 passengers or more.
- Leather interior
- 2008-2009 or newer (depending on the city).
- No cosmetic damage on the vehicle but minor dings and scratches are okay
- No large passenger vans or commercial/Heavy Duty trucks (regular 4 door trucks are okay though)
- No commercial branding or taxi color paint jobs
- No salvaged vehicles and/or rebuilt vehicles
- Vehicle must be registered and insured in the state
- Vehicle must pass the Uber Vehicle Inspection
UberSELECT approved vehicles
Acura: RDX, RLX, TL, TLX, ILX.
Audi: A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, S3, S4, S6, Q3, Q5, Q7.
BMW: 3-series, 5-series, 7-series, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6.
Cadillac: ATS, CTS, DTS, SRX, XTS.
Chrysler: 300.
Hummer: H3.
Hyundai: Genesis, Equus.
Infiniti: EX, FX, G, JX, M, Q, QX50, QX70.
Jaguar: XF, XJ.
Kia: K900.
Land Rover: Range Rover.
Lexus: ES, IS, NX, RX, GS, GX, LS.
Lincoln: MKT, MKS, MKX, MKZ, MKC, Town Car.
Mercedes-Benz: C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, G-Class, GLK-Class, M-Class, R-Class.
Porsche: Macan, Cayenne, Panamera.
Tesla: Model S.
Volvo: S60, S80, XC90.
What is Uber Black Car or UberBlack?
UberBlack is Uber’s professional level chauffeur service. Vehicle requirements are much stricter than UberX and all cars are required to have black exterior and black leather interior. Drivers also have to carry commercial insurance and TCP licensing or a livery license.
Most UberBlack and UberSUV drivers work through a fleet owner since Uber limits the number of UberBlack vehicles on the platform. These fleet owner arrangements typically involve a driver who pays a weekly rental fee (~$500) to a fleet owner, and the driver gets to keep all of the fares they earn from Uber. The fleet owner covers all the maintenance and cleaning, but the driver is responsible for gas.
You can look for a fleet owner on our Uber Vehicle Marketplace.
Requests are not as frequent on UberBlack, but fares are much higher. In Los Angeles for example, UberX pays drivers $0.90 a mile, while UberBlack pays drivers $3.55 a mile.
Here are the Uber Black Car Types:
- UberBlack is Uber’s traditional luxury sedan service.
- UberSUV is Uber’s luxury SUV service.
- UberLUX is Uber’s highest level ultra-luxury service.
UberBlack Car Requirements
In order to drive for UberBlack, you must have commercial insurance and a TCP or livery license.
Your vehicle must also meet the following criteria:
- Seating: Must comfortably seat 4 or more passengers
- Model Year: Must be 2013 or newer
- Body Style: Must be a 4-door vehicle
- Can be a sedan only
- Vehicle must be registered and insured in the state of California
- Must have commercial insurance
- Must have a TCP permit or livery license
- Must have a city-specific airport permit, when required
- Vehicle must be in excellent condition
- Vehicle must have black interior and exterior
UberBLACK Approved Vehicles
Audi: A6, A7
BMW: 5 Series
Cadillac: XTS
Infiniti: Q70
Jaguar: XF
Lexus: GS
Mercedes-Benz: E-Class
UberSUV Car Requirements
In order to drive for UberSUV, you must have commercial insurance and a TCP or livery license.
Your vehicle must also meet the following criteria:
- Seating: Must comfortably seat 6 or more passengers
- Model Year: Must be 2013 or newer
- Body Style: Must be a 4-door vehicle
- Must be a full-size SUV (full list of eligible vehicles is available below)
- Vehicle must be registered and insured in your state.
- Must have commercial insurance
- Must have a TCP permit or livery license.
- Must have a city-specific airport permit, when required
- Vehicle must be in excellent condition
- Vehicle must have black interior and exterior
UberSUV Approved Vehicles
Cadillac: Escalade ESV
Chevrolet: Suburban
GMC: Yukon XL
Infiniti: QX56, QX80
Lexus: LX
Lincoln: Navigator L
Mercedes-Benz: GL-Class
Sign up here using our link to drive with Uber!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a maximum allowable mileage for vehicles on the Uber platform?
No there is no maximum mileage requirement on Uber for most cities. You may drive any vehicle that passes the vehicle inspection.
Want to read more? Check out the complete driver training guide articles below or download the free PDF here:
Why Should You Drive for Uber?
Uber Sign Up Bonuses for New Drivers
Things to Know Before Working for Uber
How Much Do Uber Drivers Make?
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