Yes, Uber does run criminal background checks on all driver applicants. To become an approved driver, you must consent to and pass this screening. Uber’s process is designed to identify serious criminal convictions, including violent crimes, sexual offenses, and other disqualifying conduct, before a driver can accept passengers.
When you request a ride, you expect the person behind the wheel to be safe and reliable. While Uber advertises a multi-step screening system, these checks are not infallible. Dangerous individuals have sometimes slipped through, leading to sexual assaults, harassment, or negligent driving that causes serious accidents.
Below, we break down how Uber screens drivers, where the system can fail, and what legal options exist if you’ve been harmed by a negligent or unsafe rideshare driver.
What Uber Requires Before You Can Drive
Before a driver can begin accepting rides, Uber requires each applicant to meet specific eligibility standards. Applicants must:
- Meet the minimum age requirement for their state
- Have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the U.S. (or three years if under 25)
- Own or have access to an eligible vehicle
- Provide a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance
- Pass Uber’s background check
These prerequisites are meant to ensure safety and reliability. But the real question is whether Uber’s screening process is strong enough to identify drivers who pose a threat to riders.
What Does an Uber Background Check Include?
Uber relies on third-party consumer reporting agencies, most commonly Checkr, to review applicants’ driving and criminal histories. The goal is to identify any records that could indicate a risk to rider safety. The process includes two main components:
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Screening
This step examines the driver’s record for major and recent violations, including:
- Driving under the influence (DUI)
- Reckless or careless driving
- Hit-and-run offenses
- License suspensions or revocations
Applicants with serious or repeated violations are supposed to be disqualified. Uber may also deny approval for excessive traffic citations within a given period, typically the past three to seven years.
Criminal Background Check
The criminal screening is a name-based search that scans multiple databases, including:
- County, state, and federal criminal records
- The National Sex Offender Registry
- Local court and law enforcement databases
The check looks for felony and misdemeanor convictions, pending charges, and other disqualifying offenses. These may include:
- Violent crimes such as assault or robbery
- Sexual offenses
- Child abuse or exploitation
- Serious drug or weapons charges
If any disqualifying convictions are found within Uber’s “lookback” period, usually seven years, the driver is not approved. Uber also claims to perform ongoing monitoring, meaning that drivers are continuously screened for new criminal charges. However, this system depends on the accuracy and timeliness of the databases used, which often vary by state and county.
Where the Screening Can Fall Short
While Uber’s background checks catch many issues, they are not flawless. Unlike traditional taxi drivers, Uber applicants are not fingerprinted. Fingerprints link directly to FBI records, making it harder for someone with a prior record under a different name or in another state to slip through.
Additionally, the seven-year lookback period excludes older convictions, even for serious offenses. That means someone with a concerning criminal history could still qualify after enough time has passed.
The reality is that some riders have experienced assaults, harassment, or serious accidents at the hands of drivers who should never have been approved.
The Scope of the Risk
The stakes are real. In its first U.S. Safety Report covering 2017-2018, Uber disclosed nearly 6,000 incidents of sexual assault or sexual misconduct reported in relation to its rides. In 2019-2020, Uber’s second report identified 3,824 reports of sexual assault or misconduct.
When a driver with a disqualifying history sexually assaults a passenger, victims may have legal grounds to hold Uber accountable through claims of negligent hiring, supervision, or retention. These claims assert that Uber either knew — or reasonably should have known — that a driver posed a risk to riders and failed to act.
If you or someone you love was sexually assaulted by a rideshare driver, speaking with an experienced Uber sexual assault lawyer is critical. These cases are complex, requiring review of the driver’s history, Uber’s screening and monitoring records, and whether the company ignored red flags.
Talk to a Rideshare Attorney Today
Uber’s technology may have transformed transportation, but it has not removed the company’s duty to protect passengers. When background checks fail and someone is harmed, victims deserve answers and recourse.
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, we represent survivors and accident victims across Texas and nationwide. If you were in an Uber accident, our attorneys will explore every legal avenue to hold negligent drivers and the company accountable.
Call us today for a free, confidential case review.
