Driving with Uber is a reliable way to make extra cash. Before you sign up to drive as one of Uber’s independent contractors, make sure you have a vehicle that meets these expectations.
Types of Vehicles Suitable for Uber Driving Partners
Image via Flickr by Janitors
If you want to drive with Uber, you should have a vehicle that can seat at least four passengers. This can include most types of minivans, trucks, and four-door cars.
Vehicles that match this description include:
- Honda Odyssey minivan
- Honda Fit four-door sedan
- Ford F-150 SuperCrew
Vehicles that Uber does not accept include:
- Crown Victorias
- Full-size vans like the Ford E-Series
- Taxi cars
If you want to drive with uberXL, UberPLUS, or UberBLACK, then you will need to meet stricter requirements. For uberXL, you must have a vehicle that seats at least six passengers. For UberPLUS, you must have an entry-level luxury sedan with a leather interior. For UberBLACK, you will need a vehicle with black paint and black leather interior. As a driver, you will also need a commercial license to meet UberBLACK’s qualifications.
The Age of Your Car Matters
You can potentially drive with Uber if you have a car that was made in 2000 or later. The age requirement, however, varies from city to city. If you have a 2000 vehicle, you can drive with Uber in:
- Most cities in California
- Nashville
- Boston
- Milwaukee
Cities that require newer cars include:
- New York City (2011 or newer)
- Atlanta (2005 or newer)
- Chicago (2001 or newer)
- Philadelphia (2007 or newer)
There are higher standards for uberXL, UberPLUS, and UberBLACK. All uberXL vehicles must be 2006 or newer. UberPLUS vehicles should be 2007 or newer. If you want to drive with UberBLACK, you will need a 2012 or newer vehicle.
Leased Vehicles Are Acceptable
You don’t need to own your vehicle to drive with Uber. Leased vehicles are also acceptable as long as they meet all other requirements. In fact, you deduct a portion of your lease payments on your federal taxes. The amount that you get to deduct usually depends on how much time you spend working versus how much time you use the vehicle for yourself.
If you got a loan to pay for your car, you can usually deduct a portion of the interest from your taxes. Remember that you can get exclusive discounts on thousands of popular vehicles by relying on Uber’s financing opportunities.
The amount that you can deduct will vary, so it’s a good idea to speak with a tax professional before taking any deductions.
Make Sure You Meet the Requirements, Too
It’s not just your vehicle that has to meet Uber’s requirements. The company will also look at your driver profile before letting you drive with them. Before you can become one of Uber’s independent contractors, you will need a valid driver’s license issued in your state and personal auto insurance coverage.
Uber will also perform a background check to protect the safety of passengers.
Uber’s driver partners have the potential to earn more money than other types of drivers. As long as you and your car can meet these expectations, there’s a good chance that you can start earning money in your free time soon.
