Uber Driver & Car Requirements

Being a rideshare driver can be a great way to make money. But before you jump behind the wheel as an Uber driver, you’re going to want to make sure you’ve got a few things in order. Here are the basic requirements you and your car will need to meet to become an Uber driver.

Minimum Uber personal requirements

Uber has a few minimum personal requirements that you’ll need to tick off first.

To be eligible, you need to:

• Be at least 20 years old (or 21 years old if you’re driving in New South Wales or Victoria)
• Hold a valid full driver’s license (not a provisional license) for the state or territory you wish to drive in
• Have held a full driver's licence for at least 12 months in any Australian State or Territory
• Be listed as the insured driver for the car you plan to use for rideshare driving

You’ll also need to pass a background check through National Crime Check (NCC). This can be completed online and usually takes around 14 days to process. If you declare that this check is for Uber, Uber pays for this and the results are submitted directly back to them.

State-specific documents

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ABN and GST requirements

You’ll be working for Uber as an independent contractor. This means you need to have your own ABN and be registered for GST for tax purposes.

You can apply for an ABN via the Australian Business Register, and it usually takes around 20 business days to be processed. As a part of this application, you’ll select that you need to register for GST in order to become a rideshare driver.

Unless you have all your state-specific documents already in place and an ABN, this process can take anywhere from three weeks to three months, including the time it takes Uber to assess your application.

Minimum Uber car requirements

Across all categories, vehicles must be ANCAP 5-Star rated and generally less than 15 years old.

Additionally, your vehicle is expected to be:

• In excellent working condition (including windows and air conditioning)
• Have no cosmetic damage and be capable of passing a safety inspection
• Free from all commercial branding (e.g., graphics or wraps)

There are a few exceptions depending on the city you'll be driving in, so to be certain, you can search Uber’s list of eligible vehicles for your location.

Your vehicle needs to be registered for the relevant state-specific CTP (Compulsory Third Party) or 3F Motor Injury Insurance. If your vehicle is comprehensively insured, you’ll need to get in touch with your insurance provider and find out how driving for Uber affects your coverage.

Uber also provides its drivers with a support insurance package at no charge. This package covers drivers for personal injury and counselling if required. The full terms and conditions of this insurance are available on the Uber website.

Uber sets out the following requirements for its vehicles across Australia including Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

If you’re still unsure whether your vehicle is eligible, you can visit Uber’s website for your state and check the state-specific list of currently approved vehicle models.

Vehicle inspections

Once you’ve decided your vehicle meets the minimum standards, you’ll need to organise a safety inspection. Costs vary between providers, but you can expect this to cost anywhere between $70 and $200.

Vehicle Safety Certificates only last 12 months and will need to be renewed each year if you wish to continue driving with Uber.

Uber has officially partnered with Redbook Inspect for vehicle inspections, but you can also go to any registered mechanic of your choice.

Registering with Uber

Once you have all your personal and vehicle documentation ready, you can create an account with Uber on their Australian Sign-Up page.

You can then follow the basic instructions via their website to provide all the documents mentioned above.

If you need to come back partway through, don’t stress. Uber won’t process your application until you’ve finalised it, so as long as all your documentation is up to date, you can pick up where you left off.

Once you’ve provided all the information and been approved, you’re ready to get behind the wheel!