Career change, anyone? Or just curious, like me. Let’s talk about the requirements to drive for Uber in beautiful Vancouver, Canada, or wherever your beautiful city might be.
Basic Requirements to Drive For uber
All of the basic requirements and documents are done on a ‘per city’ basis.
The general requirements are as follows:
- You need to meet the minimum age to drive in your particular city
- One year minimum of driving experience
- Have a clear a background check
- You need a valid driver’s license (Duh)
- Proof of residency in your city, state, or province
- Insurance if you plan to drive your own car (if you don’t have a vehicle, you can get one to use through Uber)
The basic process for signing up for Uber
- Submit your documents and photo
- Provide all of your necessary information for a background check
- Find out if your car is eligible, or you can get a car
How to Drive for Uber In Vancouver, Canada
British Columbia requirements for ride-share drivers:
- Class 1, 2, or 4 driver’s license
- 21+ years of age
- Canadian Proof of Work: Canadian passport, birth certificate, citizenship card, residency card, or work permit (must not be expired)
- Safety Screening: After you you’ve uploaded your Class 1, 2, or 4 driver’s licence, you’ll get an email from Triton, which is a background screening company. The email will contain your link to a free background screening, which can be completed online. If you have a paper copy of your Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (PIC-VS), you can upload it.
- Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Registration. Be sure to include all 4 corners of the document.
- The vehicle is not required to be registered under your name. Uber is working with the ICBC to maintain insurance coverage on behalf of ride share drivers.
- You can request your Commercial Driving Record from ICBC online. Once you’ve received your commercial driving record, upload it to your profile within 30 days.
- If you have less than 3 years of driving experience in BC but have driven elsewhere, you’ll need to submit your ICBC abstract and out-of-province abstract.
- Your vehicle must pass a commercial vehicle inspection by an approved inspection facility. When you pass, you’ll receive a Commercial Vehicle Inspection Report.
- Uber drivers get a discounted rate of $80 + tax for vehicle inspections at Canadian Tire in Vancouver and Victoria and $99.99 + tax in the Okanagan. (At participating locations)
- Click here for a British Columbia list of ALL available inspection facilities in the province
- Keep your Commercial Vehicle Inspection Report is in your vehicle at all times when you’re driving on the Uber platform.
- You will need the Commercial Vehicle Inspection annually. Just have the report completed and upload it into your Uber account.
Vehicle Requirements To Drive For Uber in Vancouver, Canada
Most four-door cars will meet the requirements
We’ll get into the nitty gritty.
Here’s what you need at the very minimum:
- 4-door vehicle with 5 seats
- Vehicle year must be 9 years or newer
- Good condition with no cosmetic damage
- No commercial branding
- No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
- Pass a commercial vehicle inspection by an authorized inspection facility
Requirements To Drive For Uber: Displaying the Uber Sticker
- All drivers must display Uber stickers on their vehicle while online, as per BC requirements
- Place one on your front windshield on the passenger side, and the other on your rear windshield on the driver side, both facing outward
- Not displaying Uber stickers can result in fines
- You can remove your stickers when you decide to go offline and save them for the next time. Pro tip: keep the paper it comes with to place your sticker on when not in use.
Here is a list of eligible vehicles for Uber in Vancouver.
Vehicle Options In Vancouver for Uber
UberX
Most newer cars qualify to drive with UberX. It’s one of the most popular options for riders.
Additional requirements:
- 4-door vehicle with 5 seats
- No full-sized vans or trucks
- No taxi cabs, government cars, or commercially marked vehicles
UberXL
Seat more passengers—and earn higher fares—with your high-capacity vehicle.
Additional requirements:
- 4-door SUV or minivan with independently opening doors
- Seat at least 6 passengers in addition to the driver
- No full-sized vans or trucks
- No taxi cabs, government cars, or commercially marked vehicles
Comfort
Comfort was designed to maximize possibilities on the Uber platform.
Additional requirements:
- Maintain eligibility on a different Uber option such as UberX or UberXL
- Have a minimum star rating of 4.85 based on at least 250 trips
- Drive a vehicle with more legroom than smaller, compact cars eligible for UberX and that meet the minimum vehicle year requirement
- With Ride Preferences, your rider can request their ideal temperature and let you know if they wish to chat, all before you arrive
Premier
Premium rides with highly rated drivers.
Additional requirements:
- Have a minimum star rating of 4.85 based on 250 completed trips
- Drive an eligible luxury vehicle with a leather interior that is 5 years old or newer
Need A Car For Driving With Uber In Vancouver or Montreal?
Uber and Hertz have teamed up to offer solutions for car-less drivers in Vancouver or Montreal.
If you need a car for Uber, check it out.
- You can get a car from $285 per week plus a $265 refundable security deposit. (Plus taxes, fees, gas, and other additional charges.)
- Limited damage waiver and liability coverage, basic maintenance and unlimited miles are included.
- Refundable deposits, easy renewal options, and no long-term commitments allow you to rent on your terms.
- Every car comes with auto insurance, and 24/7 roadside assistance, so you can get in and go.
- You can pay for your rental using a credit card. Prepaid, debit or stored value cards are not accepted.
- Uber drivers who rent a vehicle from Hertz are currently not picked up by Hertz.
- You will be eligible to extend your rental up to 3 times, every 7 days.
- On most retail rentals at corporate locations and participating licensee locations in Canada, the minimum age to rent a Hertz vehicle is 21.
- Drivers can usually rent cars that are compact sedans, such as a Hyundai Sonata, or midsize sedans, like a Nissan Altima.
Uber Cities
Uber operates in 10,000 cities all over the earth! Each city has specific requirements to drive for uber
Here is a list of all cities in the world where Uber operates. Select your city to learn more about the specific requirements
24/7 Uber Phone Support is Available
- Open your Uber Driver app & Tap Help
- Tap the blue phone icon
- Call Support
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Carmen C. is the founder of DrivingInstructorBlog.com After becoming an ICBC-GLP (Graduated Licensing Program) driving instructor at the age of 22, she worked for about 8 years teaching driving lessons in beautiful North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
In 2012 she decided to pour her knowledge into a website and share this information with the world! 🌎 She no longer teaches, but enjoys writing and maintaining this blog, creating abstract art when inspired, and photography.
