Uber Eats Requirements: Complete Guide

Uber Eats, which is a part of the ridesharing company Uber, is one of the latest delivery apps/services that let users order food from listed local restaurants.

Uber EATS also offers its drivers a flexible job that lets them earn money by picking up and dropping off orders to customers in their chosen areas.

Just like in other services like DoorDash and Postmates, you can work whenever you want as per your chosen schedule. Just log into the app and then log out when you’re done.

If you’re interested to become a part of the UBER food delivery service, keep reading and learning about its vehicle and driver requirements as well as how it works.

What is Uber Eats and How Does It Work?

What is Uber Eats? It’s an on-demand food delivery service from restaurants. With it, Uber app users can choose food from a restaurant’s menu.

An Uber Eats courier/delivery driver will then pick up the food from the restaurant and deliver it to the customer.

How does it work?

An Uber app user can check out the menu, order food, and pay using their web browser or mobile device.
The Eats app will detect the user’s location and then will display restaurants that are open and accepting orders.
The user pays the order through his or her credit or debit card linked with Uber.
Orders are delivered by Eats riders.
Upon ordering, the user will be notified of the total price (meal price + delivery fee).
The delivery fee is $4.99, but it has been changed since August this year. It now charges a varying fee based on distance. It now ranges anywhere between $2 and $8.
A customer can monitor the status of their order on the app.
Sometimes, Uber Eats features celebrity chefs who are trying to improve their visibility especially those without a physical restaurant.
Users also have the option of giving a tip to an Eats delivery driver.

There are also certain benefits of working for Uber Eats. For one, it has a lower minimum age requirement.

Compared to Lyft and Uber which require drivers to be at least 21 years old, Uber Eats accepts drivers who are at least 19 years old. While it has a lower minimum age requirement, applicants should still pass a background check, for example.

But still, Eats is a better choice for accessibility for younger people like college students who want to earn from a side job.

Eats also offer independence and freedom to drivers, who are independent contractors and self-employed. It only means that the delivery service lets you be your own boss, one of the significant draws why you might want to apply.

It also provides delivery drivers the chance to learn about different local restaurants firsthand and meet people working in those food establishments. You also have the opportunity of exploring your city and every corner of it.

Plus, you’re given the chance to choose to deliver only in certain areas for higher tips or more delivery requests.

Uber Eats Vehicle Requirements

If you want to work as an Uber Eats driver, your vehicle has to pass certain requirements, but they’re not as strict as with other Uber ridesharing services.

These Uber Eats requirements are more relaxed. For example, you can use your vehicle for Eats deliveries provided it’s functional and reliable. Plus, you can deliver using a scooter or motorcycle as well as a bicycle in some large cities.

Bicycles are only allowed in dense and larger cities.
Only motorcycles and cars are allowed.
2- or 4-door cars are welcome.

Uber Eats Car Requirements

For cities that allow eat-only profiles, vehicles must be at least 1998 models. The vehicle requirements are otherwise the same as those required by UberX.

[For example, the vehicle should be 10 years old or newer, at least a 2007 model. However, this rule does not apply in all cities. Also, UberX requires that vehicles should pass a mechanical vehicle inspection.]

Uber Eats Driver Requirements

In the past, you should become an active UberX driver before you could drive for EATS. Now, you do not need to become an UberX driver to work as an Uber Eats driver-partner.

If you’re already driving for Uber, you can also choose to receive EATS requests.

In some cities, only UberX drivers can drive for Uber Eats, however.

Check your city on the Uber website and learn about specific Uber Eats requirements. But in cities that do not require driving for Uber before joining Uber Eats, the requirements are the same as other food delivery services like Postmates.

So, What Are The Requirements To Drive for Uber Eats?

One year of driving experience
Driver’s license
Insurance
Vehicle registration proof
At least 19 years old but 21 years old in Canada
Should expect lifting food orders up to 30lbs
*For bicycle partners, they must be at least 18 years old.

Drivers can apply on the Uber Eats website.

Uber Eats Requirements in NYC

Uber Eats gives customers the chance to order their favorite food from a local restaurant in NYC as easy as requesting an Uber ride.

The service is available round-the-clock as long as you’re ordering from an open restaurant that accepts orders.

In New York City, Uber Eats is available in some parts of Nassau and Westchester as well as in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and all of Manhattan.

Uber Eats is currently expanding delivery zones, so customers can expect more local NYC areas for the food delivery service to be available soon.

Driver-partners should have the same requirements as in other states. They should also have insurance coverage on a state-registered insurance card, but their name must appear on the card.

A driver-partner applicant doesn’t need to own a car.
There’s no vehicle inspection required.

If you’re an Uber driver looking to diversify your income, you can apply and become an Uber Eats driver. Being a delivery partner offers you an opportunity of boosting your driving income.

As while you’re already driving around the city, you can grab extra cash delivering food for Eats. Plus, you don’t have to download a separate app to apply if you’re already an Uber driver-partner. You can just opt for receiving food delivery requests.

Just open the app and navigate your account.
Choose vehicle options.
Read and accept the terms of use for the delivery service to start receiving requests.

When done, you can turn the delivery service on and then off as you wish to.

Background Check for New Uber Partners

For the last years, the Uber food delivery service has been requiring background checks. For this reason, you must make sure that you don’t have prior driving offenses or other offenses. The service uses the Checkr online to do the background screening.

Major violations will make you disqualified for Uber Eats if these happened in the last seven years. Some major offenses include driving with a suspended license or reckless driving. You might also be disqualified if you committed at least two moving violations in the last three years.

What Is an Uber Background Check?

It’s the last step in the signup process for the Uber Eats application. Here, you will be prompted to let Uber to run a background check on you using the Checkr third party service, which will check on and review your criminal history and motor vehicle record.

Again, you should not have three minor moving violations in the last three years. You must also have a valid US driver’s license and at least a year of license history if you’re older than 23 years old.

On the other hand, you should have at least three years of driving history if you’re younger than 23 years old.

In addition, you should not have a criminal conviction within the last 7 years with a violent crime, sexual offense or felony.

But while Uber uses Checkr to run a background check on you, it still has the final say about drivers as per information from the background check company.

Also, the company performs a random background check annually for their current drivers. Usually, you will receive an email about the annual background check.

Special Insurance: Do You Need It To Drive For The Delivery App?

So far, none of the food delivery companies, like Uber Eats, are requiring rideshare or commercial auto insurance. However, your personal auto insurance might not include a term for delivery driving.

That is why you should check with your insurance provider and ask for ridesharing insurance if your current one isn’t covering you while driving for Uber Eats.

Many insurance companies only ask when the driver has filed a claim. However, many drivers do not also mention driving for delivery service when buying insurance.

If you’re ready to boost your income as an Uber driver, earn from a side job as a college student, or make money on your desired schedule, you can apply for Eats.

It is one of the best delivery alternatives offering an opportunity for drivers to become their own boss, have a flexible schedule, and boost their earnings.

To start, ensure that you follow and complete what we discussed above, including vehicle requirements and driver requirements, and start applying today!