Uber Vehicle Requirements

Besides meeting Uber’s driver requirements and passing a background check, you must have an eligible vehicle before you can take ride requests. Uber lists general requirements for the vehicle’s age, condition and features. However, you’ll need to meet stricter or additional requirements to qualify for the different Uber ride types available.

General car requirements

Uber car age limit

The maximum age limit for vehicles is 16 years old, but Uber says this may be lower in certain cities. You can check Uber’s list of eligible makes and models for your location to verify whether your specific car is too old and which service classes it may qualify for.

Vehicle condition and features

Your vehicle must meet these additional condition and feature requirements for Uber:

• It has at least four doors and fits at least four passengers and the driver.
• It has no commercial branding (such as graphics or taxi coloring), cosmetic damage, or missing parts.
• It has air conditioning and windows that all work.
• It has a clean title (not rebuilt, salvaged,  or reconstructed).

Additional vehicle requirements for other ride types

More vehicle requirements will apply based on the ride type you want to provide, such as Uber XL, Uber Black, or Uber Comfort. In some cases, your vehicle will qualify for multiple ride classes.

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UberX and UberXL

UberX is the standard ride service class that has these additional vehicle requirements:

• It isn’t a box truck, van or marked vehicle (like government vehicles and taxis).
• It has at least five seat belts installed by the vehicle’s factory.
• It has no aftermarket modifications, like extra seat belts or seating systems.

UberXL offers a similar but roomier passenger experience. It only has a few different rules than UberX, including:

• Vehicle age of less than 15 years old (can be lower in certain cities)
• At least seven factory-installed seats and seatbelts
• No commercial truck or passenger van models

Uber Black and Uber Black SUV

Known as the company’s luxury ride services, Uber Black and Uber Black SUV have these much stricter vehicle standards:

• It must be no more than five years old.
• It must have at least five (Uber Black) or seven (Uber Black SUV) factory-installed seats and seatbelts.
• It must feature a black exterior and interior, which must be real or vegan leather.
• It has no visible stains, missing pieces, or cosmetic damage.

There are a few additional requirements for Uber Black drivers. You’ll need to have commercial insurance, any required special licensing in your state or city, and a 4.85 or higher star rating.

Uber Premier

Some cities offer Uber Premier in addition to or instead of the Uber Black service. You’ll need to have a similarly luxurious vehicle of any color that meets these requirements:

• It has at least five factory-installed seatbelts.
• It’s no more than six years old.
• It’s a Premier-eligible make and model listed on your city’s permitted vehicle list.
• It features a leather interior.

You’ll need to have a 4.85 or higher star rating (based on 250 trips) to qualify for Uber Premier. However, you won’t need commercial insurance or special licensing like Uber Black requires.

Uber Comfort and Uber Comfort Electric

If your vehicle already qualifies for one of the other ride types, it will also qualify for Uber Comfort if these additional conditions apply:

• The vehicle is an eligible model with more legroom than UberX vehicles require.
• You completed 100 or more trips and have earned a 4.85 or higher star rating.
• You’re located in one of the 40+ cities that offer this service.

To qualify for the related Uber Comfort Electric service, you must meet the service requirements above and have an eligible fully electric vehicle model that is eight years old or newer.

Uber Green

In select major U.S. cities, you can use your vehicle for the eco-friendly Uber Green service if it meets these specific requirements:

• It’s a standard hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric model on Uber’s accepted vehicles list.
• It isn’t more than 10 years old (may vary by location).

Uber WAV

If you have a passenger service and safety certification, you may qualify for the Uber WAV service, which involves assisting and transporting passengers who use wheelchairs. It’s currently only available in these locations:

• Washington, D.C.
• Chicago 
• New York City
• Philadelphia

To qualify, you’ll need to have a wheelchair-accessible vehicle that is on the Uber WAV eligible models list, and it must have a ramp or lift. Uber also requires that people opt into this service. Depending on the vehicle model, you might qualify for UberX and UberXL rides as well.

Obtaining an eligible vehicle 

Uber lets you use a vehicle that you own, lease or borrow from another person with their permission and proper insurance coverage. While you can also rent a vehicle, it must come from a partner on Uber’s Vehicle Marketplace, which offers used and new vehicles for sale, too.

Whether you buy, rent or lease, keep all of your receipts and use a mileage tracking app so you can deduct your business-related vehicle expenses when you file your Uber driver taxes.

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