Uber recently expanded background checks so that they occur on a continuous basis. Initially, Uber only conducted a background check on a driver at the start of the hiring process. This left Uber in the dark regarding any changes or charges to a driver’s criminal or driving record after their approval.
Drivers can now face suspension if a continuous background check indicates a new felony or a charge relating to a violent crime or sex offense. It is important to note that no part of the Uber background check process includes fingerprinting drivers. Uber argues that fingerprint checks are an unnecessary cost for the company.
The Taxicab, Limousine, and Paratransit Association (TLPA) remain critical of the background check system and processes used by most ride-hailing companies. TLPA started an aggressive “Who’s Driving You“ campaign to alert ride-hailing users to the less-stringent background checks of Uber drivers compared to industry requirements for members of the TLPA.
When Uber, or a third-party company on behalf of Uber, conduct a background check on a driver, they pull the driver’s motor vehicle record and check for the following:
No more than three minor moving violations within the last three years
No major moving violations within the last seven years, such as a DUI
No violent crimes, felonies, or cases involving sex offenses within the last seven years
Uber does not conduct a credit check on their drivers. The continuous background checks are a positive step for Uber, however, dangerous drivers can still slip through the system, placing passengers at risk for serious harm.