The main advantage of Uber and similar services is the convenience for both drivers and users of it. It’s quite simple to start earning some extra cash. All you need to do is register and provide some essential info on yourself and your vehicle, and you can start chasing rides.

On the other hand, some people think that criminal history can be a serious issue. If you ask people on the street, we think that most of them would refuse to accept a ride from an ex-criminal.

That’s why most rideshare services require passing a background check. Let’s see what are the requirements in the following sections.

What Can Get You Disqualified?

Your driving history is one of the biggest factors. Too many traffic violations in a short time can get you rejected. If you’ve had more than three minor violations in the past three years, like speeding or running red lights, that could be a problem.

Serious offenses like reckless driving, a suspended license, or a DUI in the past seven years will likely disqualify you. Some violations, such as hit-and-run incidents or vehicular homicide, are automatic disqualifiers no matter how long ago they happened.

Your criminal record is another major factor. Uber and Lyft do not allow drivers with violent crimes, sexual offenses, or terrorism-related convictions on their records.

Crimes like fraud, drug offenses, and property damage can also lead to disqualification if they happen within the past seven years.

Lyft tends to be stricter, rejecting drivers for many felony convictions no matter how old they are. Uber generally follows a seven-year rule for most crimes but still bans anyone with serious offenses.

While both companies have similar standards, they don’t handle every situation the same way.

Disqualifying Factors

In a 2017, Massachusetts conducted background checks on 71,000 rideshare driver applicants and rejected 8,206 due to various disqualifying factors, including driving offenses and criminal records.

Does One Company Reject More Drivers?

The rejection rates are not publicly available, but studies suggest that Lyft denies more applications than Uber due to its stricter policies.

Passenger Safety Must Be in the Main Focus

Background checks are supposed to weed out dangerous drivers, but the reality is not that simple. Uber and Lyft claim to screen drivers for serious criminal offenses, but lawsuits and reports suggest gaps in the process.

Thousands of passengers have reported sexual assaults, with many cases pointing to drivers who should never have been approved in the first place.

A major lawsuit against Uber has over 1,500 pending cases, with accusations that the company failed to properly vet drivers and ignored warning signs. Some passengers claim Uber let drivers with prior assault allegations stay on the platform. Lyft has also faced similar legal battles.

Annual screenings and real-time monitoring help, but many argue they are not enough.

Rideshare companies have been accused of prioritizing profit over safety, and legal experts say companies use low-cost background check services that miss key details. ConsumerShield tracks lawsuits and settlements, offering resources for passengers suffering from rideshare sexual abuse and looking for legal options.

How Long Does It Take to Get Approved?

Rideshare background checks don’t have an exact timeline. Some drivers get approved within a few days, while others wait several weeks.

The time it takes depends on how fast the background check company can verify your records and if there are any delays from the courts or DMV.

Average Background Check Time for Uber and Lyft

Most background checks take between 3 and 10 days, but delays can happen.

Both companies use third-party services to run background checks. Uber works with Checkr, and Lyft uses Checkr and other background check companies.

How to Check Your Background Check Status

You can track the status of your background check online.

• Uber: Visit the Checkr Candidate Portal and enter your information.
• Lyft: Check your application progress in the Lyft Driver App under the "Application Status" section.

If your application is delayed, you can’t speed up the process, but you can make sure your records are correct. If your DMV or court records have errors, you may need to fix them before your approval goes through.

What If You Fail the Background Check?

Getting rejected after a background check can be frustrating, but it doesn’t always mean you’re out of options. Some drivers successfully dispute mistakes, while others wait until disqualifying offenses are old enough to no longer matter.

Why Did You Get Rejected?

If Uber or Lyft denies your application, it’s usually because of one of these reasons:

• Criminal Record – Violent crimes, sexual offenses, and felonies lead to automatic disqualification. Some other crimes (like fraud or drug-related offenses) can get you rejected if they happened within the last seven years.
• Driving Violations – Too many minor violations (more than three speeding tickets in three years) or a major violation (like DUI or reckless driving) will lead to rejection.
• Mismatched or Incomplete Information – If your name, address, or driver’s license details don’t match official records, the system may flag your application.

Can You Dispute a Failed Background Check?

If you believe your rejection was a mistake, you have the right to dispute it. Uber and Lyft don’t run the checks themselves—they hire third-party companies like Checkr. If there’s an error in your report, you’ll need to contact Checkr or another screening service to fix it.

• To dispute Uber’s background check: Visit Checkr’s Dispute Portal.
• To dispute Lyft’s background check: Contact Lyft support through the driver app or visit Checkr’s Dispute Portal.

How Long Until You Can Reapply?

If your rejection is based on driving violations, you may be able to reapply after three years when those violations expire.

For criminal records, disqualification typically lasts seven years unless the offense was serious enough for a permanent ban.

If you fix an issue on your report (like getting an expungement or correcting an error), you can reapply immediately after getting proof of the correction.

Crimes That Lead to a Permanent Ban

• Violent crimes (murder, manslaughter, aggravated assault, armed robbery)
• Sexual offenses (rape, sexual assault, child exploitation, human trafficking)
• Terrorism-related offenses (acts of terrorism, threats to public safety)
• Felonies involving harm to others (kidnapping, carjacking, domestic violence)
• Severe fraud or financial crimes (identity theft, large-scale fraud, embezzlement)
• Being on the National Sex Offender Registry
• Providing false information on a background check

Rideshare Companies Are Checking Drivers All the Time

Both Uber and Lyft conduct annual background checks to review driver records. Additionally, they use real-time monitoring systems that alert them if a driver is charged with a serious crime or traffic offense.

What Can Get You Deactivated After Approval?

• New criminal charges (violent crimes, sexual offenses, fraud)
• A new DUI or reckless driving violation
• Too many recent traffic violations (multiple speeding tickets, at-fault accidents)
• License suspension or revocation
• Failure to maintain valid insurance
• Being added to the National Sex Offender Registry
• Serious passenger complaints involving safety issues

FAQs

Can you drive for Uber or Lyft with a work permit but no Social Security number?

No. Both Uber and Lyft require a valid Social Security number (SSN) to process background checks. Work permits alone are not enough to pass identity verification. If you are a recent immigrant or do not have an SSN, you cannot apply until you obtain one.

Do Uber and Lyft check for outstanding warrants?

Yes. Outstanding warrants can delay or disqualify an application if they show up in background screenings. Even if the charge has not led to a conviction, a pending legal issue could cause Uber or Lyft to deny your application until it is resolved.

Can non-violent misdemeanor convictions disqualify you?

It depends. Some non-violent misdemeanors, like minor theft or vandalism, could lead to disqualification if they happened within the past seven years. However, older offenses or lower-level misdemeanors (like disorderly conduct) may not result in rejection.

Does Uber or Lyft check employment history?

No. Rideshare background checks only focus on criminal records, driving history, and identity verification. Uber and Lyft do not check past jobs or employment history—your work experience has no impact on approval.

Can a past bankruptcy or bad credit affect approval?

No. Uber and Lyft do not check credit scores or financial history. A past bankruptcy, unpaid debts, or low credit score will not affect your rideshare background check or eligibility to drive.

Last Words

Getting approved as a rideshare driver is not always simple. Background checks are strict, and even small issues can cause problems. Some people pass with no trouble, while others run into delays or rejection.

If you fail, check your records. Mistakes happen, and some can be fixed. If nothing can be changed, time may be the only solution. Some violations and offenses stop mattering after a few years.

Rideshare driving can be a good way to make money, but keeping a clean record is important. Follow the rules, drive safely, and avoid anything that could cause problems later.