Uber driver & vehicle requirements in Canada

Driving with Uber can be a fun and easy way to make money. You can set your own schedule and work full-time or part-time depending on your availability.

To become an Uber driver, you need to be at least 21 years of age, sign up and meet Uber’s other minimum requirements based on the city you’ll be driving in, submit the required documents, and complete an online screening process. Once approved, you can get behind the wheel and start earning.

Minimum vehicle requirements for Uber

To be an eligible Uber driver in Canada, your vehicle must meet the following criteria:

• It’s a 4-door vehicle
• It’s in good condition without cosmetic damage
• The model is from 2013 or later
• It’s not rebuilt
• It must pass an annual inspection conducted by a certified mechanic

To drive in the cities of Toronto and Mississauga, private transportation company (PTC) licence holders must have snow tires or all-weather tires installed from December 1 to April 30.

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Documents that must be submitted during registration

Prospective drivers are required to submit the following documents online to start their Uber driving journey:

• Valid driver’s licence
• Valid ID card, such as birth certificate, Canadian passport, citizenship card, work permit, social insurance number, PR card, etc.
• Your vehicle registration document confirming the vehicle is registered under your name. (You need to upload both sides of the document.)
• Vehicle insurance that mentions you as an insured driver 
• A safety standards certificate (SSC) confirming that your vehicle has passed its annual inspection. (As some regions—such as Toronto and Vancouver—require you to submit your SSC within 36 days of passing the inspection, it’s a good practice to upload it to your profile as soon as you receive it.)

You must keep these documents in your car for inspection or compliance purposes. Also, place the Uber sticker (if applicable for your area) on your car when providing ridesharing services. Otherwise, you may be penalized.

Provincial driver’s licence requirements

Some of the documents, such as driver’s licence, vary based on Uber. The following table summarizes acceptable driver’s licences for different provinces in Canada:

If your region isn’t included in this article, you can look for your city’s specific requirements on vehicles and required documents by visiting Uber Canada’s website.

An important note: As of September 3, 2024 new legislation will take effect where Uber drivers in BC will:

• Earn a minimum hourly wage of $20.88
• Receive coverage for job-related injuries through WorkSafeBC
• Have a 35- to 45-cent minimum per-kilometre allowance to help workers cover their vehicle expenses

The legislation will come into effect in British Columbia. 

Regional screening process

The screening process for each region usually occurs after your driver’s licence has been approved and varies from city to city. See below for details of how to complete your screening process in Calgary, Quebec City, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Calgary

Background screening in Calgary requires you to complete two steps to register with Uber:

• Contact your nearest Alberta registry for your three-year driver abstract, which includes a driving record of your merit and demerit points, suspensions, and convictions. You should submit your abstracts within 30 days of signing up.
• Complete your Vulnerable Sector Check by visiting the Calgary police station along with two valid pieces of ID. Alternatively, you may upload it online by using the ePIC portal of the Calgary Police. Make sure you choose Transportation Network Licensing when asked which agency your application is for.

If you are driving in Calgary, you must keep the Enhanced Livery Vehicle Inspection Standards (ELVIS) document (along with the above-mentioned documents) in your car.

Vancouver

To successfully complete the screening process in Vancouver:

• Obtain your Commercial Driving Record from the ICBC website and upload it on the app. If you want ICBC to send the driving record directly to Uber, select the option for sending documents to someone other than yourself and provide this email ID: bcmvr-group@uber.com.
• After your record is uploaded and reviewed, you’ll get an email from Triton (Uber’s trusted screening partner) for a free background check. The results will be submitted to your Uber profile within three to five business days.

You can also share your Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (PIC-VS) documents with the Uber team online. Upload all pages of the document for a hassle-free screening process.

Toronto

To drive in Toronto, you must complete the following screening processes:

• Motor Vehicle Record Check
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check

The results will be automatically uploaded to your profile within three to five days of submitting the required information, and payment for the process will be deducted from your future earnings.

Alternatively, you can proceed with both screening checks yourself by uploading the documents online. If you want to submit them in-person, take the documents along with your two pieces of ID to an Uber Greenlight Hub near you.

Quebec

When driving in Quebec City, you’ll be required to:

• Complete a background check initiated by the Blainville Police and ISB. The complete information will be automatically shared with the Uber team. You’ll be charged $80 for the process, which will be deducted in the first four weeks you drive with Uber.
• Submit your driving record from SAAQ to confirm you haven’t been involved in major infractions for the last three years.

In addition, Quebec drivers must meet the following conditions:

• Have at least two years driving experience
• Have a valid GST-QST number
• Be able to speak, read, and understand French

Additional licenses for Calgary and Toronto

Calgary

If you plan to drive in Calgary, you’ll be required to complete an e-training course within 30 days of receiving the email from the city. The successful completion of this program will provide you with the Transportation Network Driver’s License and allow you to be an Uber partner. The program costs $95, which will be deducted from your Uber income in two installments.

Toronto

If you’re in Toronto, and your vehicle is up to seven years old, Uber will apply for a Private Transportation Company (PTC) license on your behalf by sending an application to the City of Toronto. The application’s processing time is a maximum of five business days, and if approved, you’ll get a PTC license number followed by an email. If you don’t hear anything after five days, visit your nearest Greenlight Hub for further assistance.

Registering with Uber

Any person who is eligible to work in Canada, and is at least 21 years of age, can apply to be an Uber partner. Before you get behind the wheel and start accepting requests from customers, you must take the following steps to complete the registration process:

• Create your Uber profile on their site
• Share information about yourself and the vehicle you’ll be using
• Upload the required documents, including your driver’s license, vehicle registration, and vehicle insurance
• Pass background checks
• Comply with regional inspection and license requirements

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