Quick answer: Uber requires U.S. drivers to pass a criminal background check and a motor vehicle record (MVR) check, with eligibility set by local and state law. Employers hiring drivers should run the same core searches: SSN trace, county and national criminal, sex-offender registry, and MVR, with FCRA disclosure and authorization first.
- Uber screens drivers on criminal history and driving record; exact rules and lookback periods vary by city and state, so confirm on Uber’s current driver requirements page.
- Any employer or staffing firm hiring drivers can match that depth with Reveal Background’s MVR, criminal and SSN trace searches, most returning same-day.
- The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681) requires a written disclosure, signed authorization and a two-step adverse action process before you reject a candidate based on a report.
What are Uber’s driver background check requirements?
Uber requires driver applicants in the United States to clear a criminal background screening and a driving record review before they can accept trips. Applicants must also meet age, license, vehicle and insurance rules that differ by market.
Uber states that local and state regulations shape what it can consider, including how far back a search may look. Because those details change, treat Uber’s own driver requirements page for the applicant’s city as the source of truth.
Reveal Background does not run Uber’s screening. This guide is for employers, staffing firms and fleet operators who hire drivers directly and want a comparable, compliant standard.
Which searches make up a driver background check?
A defensible driver screen combines identity, criminal and driving history. Reveal Background offers each of these as a pay-per-report search, with no setup fee.
| Search | What it covers | Why it matters for drivers |
|---|---|---|
| SSN trace | Names and addresses associated with a Social Security number | Shows which counties to search and confirms identity |
| County criminal | Court records in a specific county | Primary source for felony and misdemeanor records |
| National criminal database | Aggregated records across jurisdictions | Finds records outside known addresses; confirm hits at the court |
| Federal criminal | Federal district court records | Captures federal offenses state searches miss |
| Sex-offender registry | Registry listings | Critical when drivers transport passengers |
| MVR | License status, violations, suspensions | Confirms the driver may legally operate a vehicle |
| Employment verification | Prior employers, dates, titles | Confirms driving or delivery experience |
No database search is 100% complete. Pair national results with county-level verification for accuracy.
How far back can a driver background check look?
Lookback depends on state law and the type of record. The FCRA itself limits reporting of most adverse non-conviction information, such as arrests not resulting in conviction, to seven years. Some states restrict how far back criminal records may be reported or considered, and certain exceptions apply by salary level.
Several states and cities also have ban-the-box or fair-chance rules that delay criminal history questions or require an individualized assessment. Check each rule for every location where you hire.
What FCRA steps must an employer follow?
When a screening company prepares your report, you act as the user of a consumer report. The Federal Trade Commission explains these duties in its guidance for employers.
- Disclose: give the applicant a clear, standalone written notice that you may obtain a report.
- Authorize: get the applicant’s signed written permission.
- Screen consistently: apply the same searches to every candidate in the same role.
- Pre-adverse action: before rejecting, send a copy of the report and the FTC Summary of Your Rights.
- Wait a reasonable period: let the applicant dispute errors.
- Adverse action: send the final notice with the screening company’s contact details and dispute rights.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission also advises employers to weigh the nature of the offense, the time elapsed and the relevance to the job rather than applying blanket exclusions.
Do commercial driver roles need more than an Uber-style check?
Yes. If your drivers operate commercial motor vehicles, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules in 49 CFR Part 391 add driver qualification requirements, including medical certification and previous employer safety performance inquiries. Roles covered by DOT rules also trigger DOT drug and alcohol testing.
Reveal Background coordinates drug testing through American Screening Corp, so one hiring workflow can cover background and testing.
Driver hiring checklist
- Define the role: passenger transport, delivery, or commercial vehicle.
- List the states and cities where you hire and note ban-the-box rules.
- Deliver the standalone FCRA disclosure and collect signed authorization.
- Order SSN trace, county, national and federal criminal, sex-offender registry and MVR.
- Verify prior driving employment.
- Document your job-related criteria for evaluating records.
- Follow pre-adverse and adverse action steps for every rejection based on a report.
- Re-run MVRs on a set schedule for current drivers, with consent where required.
Ready to screen? Create an account at Reveal Background and order only the searches the role requires.
Frequently asked questions
What background check does Uber require for drivers?
Uber requires a criminal background screening and a motor vehicle record review for U.S. drivers. Rules and lookback periods vary by city and state, so check Uber’s current requirements for the applicant’s location.
Can an employer use the same checks Uber uses?
Yes. Employers can order criminal, sex-offender registry, SSN trace and MVR searches through an FCRA-compliant screening provider such as Reveal Background, provided they give disclosure, obtain authorization and follow adverse action steps.
How long does a driver background check take?
Reveal Background returns most searches the same day. Some county courts and verifications take longer, depending on court access and how quickly prior employers respond.
Can I reject a driver for a criminal record?
Sometimes. The EEOC advises considering the offense, time elapsed and job relevance, and state or local fair-chance laws may apply. If you reject based on a report, follow FCRA pre-adverse and adverse action steps.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission: Using Consumer Reports: What Employers Need to Know
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Background Checks: What Employers Need to Know
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: 49 CFR Part 391, Qualifications of Drivers
This article is general information, not legal or medical advice; consult counsel on adverse action and state-specific rules.
