If you are already an Uber driver and have been arrested for DUI, you should be able to keep driving unless your license is suspended or you are convicted of the DUI charge. You need to fight the charge immediately—and request a hearing with the DMV about your license.
If you are applying to drive for Uber and already have a DUI on your record, you could get approved in some cases but it’s difficult. Usually, you have to wait until the DUI is at least 10 years old to drive for Uber or Lyft, although there are exceptions.
Below we’ll look at:
- Uber and Lyft’s driver requirements
- What counts as DUI
- Expunging a DUI
- Fighting your DUI
What are Uber and Lyft’s background requirements for DUI?
Uber: You are not allowed to drive for Uber if you have a DUI in the past 10 years. Many rideshare blogs say the rule is 7 years, but in California Uber uses a 10-year rule, which matches how long the state leaves a DUI on your driver record.
Lyft: The rules are the same. Officially, you cannot have a DUI on your record for “a minimum of 7 years.” Since California driver records go back 10 years, expect that this means no DUI for at least that far back.
Neither company offers an exception of any kind.
Both companies also have policies against hiring convicted felons, which means you could be prevented from driving for them with a felony DUI on your record, even if it was more than 10 years ago. However, Uber has recently started hiring some non-violent felons, which could allow you to qualify.
What counts as a DUI? What if my DUI was dismissed or the charges were dropped?
You should expect that any DUI conviction, and any wet reckless driving conviction, will count against you with Uber and Lyft.
If you were not convicted, however, you may have a better chance. This could mean that you were acquitted (found Not Guilty), the case was dismissed, the charges were dropped, or you are still facing your DUI case.
- If you were acquitted, the DUI should not count against you and you may be able to drive for Uber or Lyft.
- If your case was dismissed, or if the charges were dropped, it means you faced no penalties but it also means no verdict was ever reached—you were never found Guilty or Not Guilty. Uber or Lyft may still hold the DUI against you since it is still on your driver record. It may help to explain the circumstances of the DUI arrest, and that it was dismissed, when you apply.
- If you are still in the process of dealing with your DUI case, and have not been convicted yet, you should talk to a DUI lawyer and fight the charges. If you win your case, you may be able to drive for Uber (or keep driving, if you’re already a driver).
Can I drive for Uber if I get my DUI expunged?
It could help. Expunging your DUI means the court retroactively dismisses the case. Normally, this allows you to get jobs without the DUI counting against you, because it is no longer part of your criminal record for this purpose. But the DUI remains on your driver record from the DMV, and Uber and Lyft look at this record to evaluate your driving history. This means that they will still see the DUI and they may consider it when hiring you.
The real answer with expunging a DUI is, “It doesn’t hurt, and it might help.” Expunging your DUI will definitely help with non-driver jobs, school applications, and in many other circumstances, so it may be worth pursuing even though it doesn’t guarantee you can drive for a ridesharing service.
How do I fight my DUI charge?
The best thing you can do is speak to a DUI lawyer. Your lawyer may be able to challenge key evidence against you, or even the arrest itself. In many cases, a DUI lawyer can win a case outright or get it reduced to a much less serious charge.
Have you been charged with DUI? We can connect you with an experienced Los Angeles DUI lawyer and get you a FREE consultation. Fill out the form to the right or call (310) 862-0199 and get your free consultation today.
