Does Uber Hire Felons (All You Need to Know)
Carpooling seems like it should be easy to get in for someone with a felony record.
So if you’re a felon and interested in joining Uber as a driver, we’ve looked at what you should expect, so keep reading to find out more!
Does Uber Hire Felons?
Uber will no longer hire felons in 2022. According to its official policy, if you apply and you have been convicted of a felony, you will not be approved after a background check. Uber may decide not to hire felons because it’s considered a safer move because drivers interact directly with customers. In this way, many potential liability issues can be avoided.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about how Uber handles felons, including your criminal record, background check process, and more!
Can you be an Uber driver with a criminal background?
You can become an Uber driver with a criminal background, but your success depends on the severity of your previous conviction and the results of your background check.
If your criminal record consists of misdemeanors and violations, you should be able to get approval from Uber.
However, if you have a felony criminal record, you have little chance of working for Uber.
If you have a felony, you can work for Uber if you don’t show up on a background check for one of the following reasons:
- It happened so early that it doesn’t show up on criminal records – in most places, criminal records only go back between 7 and 10 years, so previous activity doesn’t show up
- Your records are sealed – this is where your records are hidden from the public, including anyone doing background checks
- Your record was deleted – this is not the same as sealing your record, which essentially means it was deleted
Does Uber Really Do Background Checks?
Uber does conduct mandatory background checks, and we checked with several drivers who had to agree to one when submitting their application.
Uber says it’s committed to helping people with criminal backgrounds find jobs and doesn’t ask about their history, but in reality, it’s more complicated than that.
In fact, we looked at the pages on Uber’s website that contained this promise, and none of the wording of the wording made it clear that your criminal background didn’t matter at all.
The website simply says the company won’t ask applicants if they have had any legal problems in the past, but that doesn’t rule out background checks.
This commitment only applies to those on the record for less serious offenses, namely misdemeanors and minor offenses.
However, Uber has a long list of criminal record entries that will result in automatic disqualification, as we’ll see below.
What does Uber look for during a background check?
Uber looks at drivers’ criminal and driving records when conducting background checks.
Uber conducts background checks using Checkr, an automated service that uses AI to speed up the process.
This can be set up to view different aspects of someone’s record, including their criminal and driving history.
Based on criminal records, Uber can use the service to view the following databases:
- National Criminal Record
- County Criminal Record
- federal criminal record
- National Criminal Record
- Global Watch List
- sex offender registry
As for your driving history, Uber can use Checkr’s Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check to find out the following:
- The status of your driver’s license, i.e. whether it is valid, expired or suspended
- The type of vehicle for which you got your driver’s license and whether it matches the vehicle you are registered for
- Scores on your driver’s license, such as reckless driving, keep out of the way, and texting while driving
How long does an Uber background check take?
Under normal circumstances, Uber’s background checks should take 3 to 5 days, and you can choose to track your status through your Checkr profile.
If your background check is taking too long, it may be due to the following reasons:
- One of the places contacted for your information needs someone to look at physical records
- One of the places being contacted for information is having staffing issues
- You’ve moved a lot, so more places are connecting
- You have been asked for more information but have not responded
- Your examination requires more research than usual, for example if you share a common name
What keeps you from being an Uber driver?
When Uber conducts a background check on your criminal record, you may be disqualified for the following reasons:
- any felony conviction
- conviction for violent crime
- Convictions for Sexual Offences
- Terrorism-related convictions
- as a registered sex offender
Additionally, even if you are charged with any of the above crimes, you will be disqualified from Uber until those crimes are resolved in your favor, i.e. acquittal or dismissal.
As for your driving record, you may be disqualified for:
- Have an invalid license, for example, it is suspended, expired, or issued in a different country than the one you are applying for
- Major driving violations, such as racing, crashing and running away, and fleeing law enforcement
- Multiple recent minor violations, such as speeding and running red lights
- Accidents, including no-fault accidents
Checkr allows companies to conduct ongoing background checks, which means Uber will be notified even if you are approved but receive an entry about your criminal record.
Can a drunk driver drive for Uber?
Whether it’s a felony or a misdemeanor, you can’t work for Uber for DUI unless it doesn’t show up in a background check.
You may be granted approval if your records were sealed, expunged, or if the conviction occurred 7 to 10 years ago (depending on where you lived).
Overall, the move may be aimed at reducing Uber’s liability issues.
in conclusion
Unfortunately, Uber doesn’t hire felons, but it does hire people with criminal backgrounds that include some violations and misdemeanors. Uber uses Checkr for background checks, and felony convictions will show up unless they’re old, sealed, or removed.
In addition to felonies, you can be disqualified from Uber for major driving violations such as DUI and more recently minor violations such as speeding. Uber continues to conduct criminal checks and even disqualify applicants who are only charged with felonies until the issue is resolved.