How Long Does Uber Background Check Take?

Thinking of driving for Uber in the near future? First, you’ll need to pass an Uber background check. This doesn’t take too long, but it helps to know how long each Uber background check takes on average so you can strategize your job hunt and know when to contact Uber to ask questions. Let’s take a look at the answers to these questions and more.

What’s an Uber Background Check?

Like other rideshare companies, Uber performs background checks on all job candidates and on its current drivers from time to time. An Uber background check is a detailed look at a job applicant or driver’s work and criminal history.

However, Uber doesn't conduct background checks by itself. Instead, it outsources this work to the third-party background check company called Checkr. Checkr takes the information included in a job applicant's application or a driver's profile, then investigates the subject to make sure they don't have any DUIs, criminal convictions, etc.

What’s Included in an Uber Background Check?

Since Uber drivers’ primary duties revolve around vehicle operation, the typical Uber/Checkr background check focuses only on a subject’s DMV record and criminal history record.

For example, an Uber background check might investigate your driving record to make sure you don’t have any DUI convictions or recent speeding tickets. This is also true for current Uber drivers – the company doesn’t want drivers with recent speeding infractions working for the brand.

Furthermore, the typical Uber background check investigates a subject’s criminal history. Criminal convictions for misdemeanors that occurred long in the past may not show up, but convictions for felonies are typically treated as part of your permanent record. An Uber background check will pick those up, which may prevent you from being hired by this rideshare company.

How Often Do Uber Background Checks Occur?

Generally, Uber background checks occur once per year for current drivers and upon receiving a job application for new drivers. So if you want to drive for Uber for the first time, you’ll first need to submit for a background check before you qualify to drive for the company.

Then, after you become an Uber driver, you should expect your profile to undergo a background check about once per year. So long as you drive safely and don’t have any driving infractions, there should be nothing to worry about.

How Long Does an Uber Background Check Usually Take?

Checkr is a professional background check agency that has a lot of experience in this field. Because of this, Checkr’s background checks for Uber usually take between 3 to 5 business days.

A "business day" is any day of the week when business is usually conducted, typically Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. So, for example, if you submit your information for a background check on Thursday, you should expect the results from that Uber background check by the end of the day on Monday at the earliest at the end of the day on Wednesday at the latest.

Factors That Affect Uber Background Check Speed

That said, some Uber background checks take longer than 3 to 5 business days. A typical background check can have its results delayed due to a variety of factors, including:

• If Checkr needs to contact you about additional information. For instance, if your job application is incomplete, or if Checkr can’t verify your identity, you might be contacted by Checkr to resolve those issues before the background check continues. This can delay your background check significantly
• If one of the systems Checkr uses to perform background checks goes down, Checkr and its background check subjects will have to wait until the issue is resolved
• If your name is very common or similar to other names, Checkr will likely use a little extra due diligence to make sure that it checks the information for the right person. Despite this due diligence, mistakes may occur, further slowing down the process

Furthermore, Checkr might check your background for more pieces of information than just your driving record and criminal record. For example, Checkr might check your name with the sex offender registry if directed to by Uber. Uber changes its background check policies from time to time – if a recent policy change went into effect, don’t be surprised if the background check takes a little longer to revolve, too.

To ensure that your Uber background check goes as quickly as possible, be sure to submit your application completely accurately and respond to any Checkr communications, like phone calls or emails, promptly.

When Do You Get a Copy of Your Uber Background Check?

You may actually receive a copy of your Uber background check at the same time as Uber reviews the results of that check. So, if Checkr completes your background check on the fifth day after receiving your information, you and Uber could both receive the results of the background check simultaneously.

This gives you a chance to look over your background check information and ensure that everything is accurate. If you notice that there's an error, you can quickly contact Checkr about the problem so it can correct the erroneous information and inform Uber ASAP.

However, you may occasionally not receive your background check from Checkr, even if Uber has already received the results from the background check. This could be due to a computer error – for instance, maybe Checkr’s background check agent accidentally misspelled your email address, causing the email to be lost into the digital ether.

In these circumstances, you need to know how to request your background check information and check the status of your background check if it takes longer than five business days to complete. 

Checking Your Uber Background Check’s Status

Fortunately, you can easily check the status of your Uber background check by visiting the Checkr candidate portal. Remember, Uber doesn’t complete your background check: Checkr does. Therefore, visit the candidate portal, input your personal information, and Checkr should bring up your profile and the status of your current background screen in no time.

If the status is still “pending,” consider reaching out to Checkr’s customer service team to ask if there’s any way you can accelerate the process. For instance, it may be that Checkr has been meaning to ask for additional information verifying your identity, but it hasn’t gotten around to it for one reason or another.

Being proactive during this process can help accelerate your background check timetable and give you the greatest likelihood of receiving results sooner rather than later.

What if There Are Errors in Your Uber Background Check?

Unfortunately, any given Uber background check could be subject to several errors or mistakes.

For example, during your Uber background check, Checkr might mistake your identity for that of another person, especially if you have similar names. If your name is John D. Anderson, Checkr might confuse your name with John C. Anderson.

If John C. Anderson has a criminal record, it’s possible that Checkr might list that criminal activity under your name instead, then return the information to Uber. Uber background checks happen all the time, and they can cost you a job opportunity or cause Uber to terminate your contract if you are already a driver for them.

Uber background checks can be devastating, but you do have the ability to fight against them. With Fair Credit, you can file a background check dispute against Checkr and Uber. If you file a dispute, Checkr has to investigate your claim within 30 days and get back to you within five extra days.

If there is erroneous information in your background check, Checkr has an obligation to correct it immediately. Fair Credit's experienced background check attorneys can assist by helping you put together a strong dispute file, negotiating with Checkr and Uber on your behalf, and more.

Can an Error Delay Your Uber Background Check?

Yes. An Uber background check error can delay the results of the background check indefinitely. For instance, if Checkr notices a discrepancy in your background information, that discrepancy could prevent Checkr from submitting the information to Uber, leaving your job application in limbo.

In the meantime, you won’t be able to apply to Uber again. Furthermore, if you apply to any other organization that also uses Checkr for background checks, you won’t be able to proceed further in the application process since your original profile is still stalled.

Again, this is a good reason to contact the attorneys if you believe your background check has been affected by erroneous information.

Contact Background Check Error Lawyers Today

Most Uber background checks take anywhere between 3 to 5 business days. However, your Uber background check might take longer if Uber has to request additional information from you or if it makes a mistake.

If you believe your Uber background check has one or more errors that have cost you a job, contact Fair Credit right away. Our knowledgeable legal specialists can help you uncover the truth of your background check and file a dispute claim to get your job hunt back on the right track.