Uber Eats Driver Requirements in Canada

Becoming a food delivery driver can be a great side gig to earn extra income. Here we’ll guide you through the Uber Eats driver qualifications, vehicle requirements, and the sign-up process.

Uber Eats driver requirements

To become an Uber Eats driver, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

• Documentation:
  • A valid full-class driver’s license, which will vary by province.
  • Vehicle insurance with your name and not be expired.
  • Social insurance number (SIN) 
  • Proof of work eligibility (such as a Canadian Passport, Study or Work permit, Canadian Birth Certificate, Permanent Resident or Citizenship Card).
  • Background check to asses your criminal background and driving history. 
  • If biking: a government-issued ID 
• Driving experience: 1 year 

Note: Uber Eats does not require a vehicle inspection nor a GST/HST number. However, it’s required if you’re an Uber driver.

Track business driving with ease

Trusted by millions of drivers

Automate your logbook Automate your logbook

Claim your deductions

Reclaim your time

Automatic mileage tracking and CRA-compliant reporting.

Get started for free Get started for free

Uber Eats car requirements

• Car: 2-door or 4-door vehicle. 
• The model year must be 20 years or newer. 
• Salvaged vehicles and commercial branding are not permitted.
• The age requirement to drive a car is 21 years or older.

Uber Eats bicycle requirements

If you don’t have a car, you can choose to deliver by bike or scooter (either standard or electric). The age requirement to ride a bike or scooter is 18 or 19, which varies by province. 

To start making deliveries as a delivery driver, you’ll also need a smartphone with the Uber Driver app downloaded.

British Columbia (BC) driver requirements

Popular cities: Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond

Vehicle and driver requirements:

• ICBC vehicle registration
• A valid class 1, 2, or 4 commercial driver’s license

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

Alberta (AB) driver requirements

Popular cities: Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer 

Vehicle and driver requirements:

• Proof of class 1-55 vehicle registration
• A valid class 1, 2, or 4 Alberta driver's licence

Ontario (ON) driver requirements

Popular cities: Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, London, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor

Vehicle and driver requirements:

• Ontario vehicle registration
• A valid full G driver’s license
• Ontario safety standards certificate (SSC)

Quebec (QC) driver requirements

Popular cities: Gatineau, Quebec City, Montreal, Sherbrooke

Vehicle and driver requirements:

• A good driver record from SAAQ
• Class 5 or 4C Quebec Driver's Licence

Pros and cons of becoming an Uber Eats driver

Pros:

• Uber, unlike some of the other platforms, doesn't have a scheduling system. You can sign in and off as you please.
• You have the flexibility to work as many hours as you’d like.
• You can see how much you'll earn before accepting an order.
• Uber Eats does not penalize drivers for low acceptance rates.
• You get paid fast as your earnings are transferred to your bank account weekly (you can also use instant cash out for a small fee).
• Unlike ridesharing, you don’t have passengers in your car. It’s a good option for those who'd feel unsafe or uncomfortable with that.

Cons:

• Although you don’t need to interact with passengers, you’ll still need to socialize with customers and restaurant staff as a food delivery driver.
• Pay can be inconsistent based on order size, gas expenses, and general demand week to week.
• Customers are allowed to tip bait (reduce or revoke their tip after the delivery).
• Wear and tear on your vehicle will occur faster, which will require maintenance.
• As an independent contractor, you’re not eligible for health benefits.
• You’ll need to cover vehicle costs, such as gas, tires, repairs, and insurance.
• Uber Eats allows multi-customer deliveries, which can lead to stress and increased customer complaints.

Uber Eats vs. DoorDash

Being on multiple apps will allow for multi-apping and choosing the best possible offer. It might also be worth it to protect yourself in case of deactivation from one app, or a smaller demand in your given market. Although both Uber Eats and DoorDash come with a unique set of pros and cons, here are a few criteria we compared against, drawing from our gig expert's personal experience. 

Uber Shop and Pay

Besides food deliveries, Uber offers a Shop and Pay grocery delivery service in select cities across Canada. You can accept “Shop and Pay” orders within the app as an Uber Eats driver. Popular grocery store orders may come from Costco, Walmart, Metro, Longos, and Food Basics. 

You’re responsible for driving to the grocery store, picking up the items, packing them, and making a payment using the Plus Card (you’ll need to sign up for this prepaid debit card) or the Uber Payment code provided to you. Then, you’ll deliver the grocery order to the customer.

How to sign up as an Uber Eats driver

If you’re ready to become a driver with Uber Eats, here are the steps to register:

Step 1: Apply to become an Uber Eats driver, here. You can also download the app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

Step 2: Create an account and submit your documents. You’ll also be required to pass a background check. The application process should take less than 30 minutes if you have your documents ready.

Step 3: Get approved by meeting all the requirements. This process may take between one to two weeks.

Step 4: Start earning money by logging into the app to accept and deliver orders.