Traffic Tickets as an Uber / Lyft Driver: What You Need to Know

It’s no secret that traffic tickets are as expensive as they are annoying. And the costs don’t simply stop once you’ve paid your fine – driving infractions, if not contested, can cause your monthly insurance premiums to rise for years to come.

But if you drive for one of the big ride-sharing companies (or even if you’re just considering it), getting a traffic ticket on your record can potentially mean losing your source of income, too.

Here’s what you need to know regarding tickets as a rideshare driver – and what you can do to fight your ticket and maintain your Uber / Lyft driving privileges.

Background Checks for Uber / Lyft Drivers

Both Uber and Lyft currently use a third-party service called Checkr to perform background screenings on their drivers. The records they examine include:

• Social Security Trace (to determine any addresses you are associated with)
• County courthouse records (for each county of residence within the last 7 years)
• Federal courthouse records
• Motor vehicle reports
• National Sex Offender Registry

In some states, there may be additional scrutiny applied – in New York, for instance, applicants are also fingerprinted, because the state requires them to be held to the same standards as traditional taxicab drivers.

Will I Pass My Uber / Lyft Background Check?

The exact criteria may be slightly different from state-to-state, based on local laws. It’s also important to note that these are guidelines rather than hard-set rules. But in general, here’s what will disqualify you from driving for Uber or Lyft:

Uber

• More than 3 moving violations (e.g. accidents or traffic light violations) within the past 3 years
• Any history of major violations (e.g. reckless driving or DUIs)
• Any speeding violations of 20+ mph over the speed limit within the past 3 years
• Any criminal convictions (e.g. hit-and-run or other driving felonies, as well as violent crimes, sexual offenses, etc.) within the past 7 years

Lyft

• Any major violation (e.g. reckless driving, or driving with a suspended license) within the past 3 years
• More than 3 moving violations (e.g. accidents or traffic light violations) within the past 3 years
• Any criminal convictions (e.g. hit-and-run or other driving felonies, as well as violent crimes, sexual offenses, etc.) within the past 7 years
• Any DUIs or drug-related driving violations within the past 7 years

If you are facing a traffic-related violation, contesting your ticket can prevent it from becoming part of your record and disqualifying you from these (or other) positions.

What If I Get a Speeding Ticket WHILE Driving for Uber / Lyft?

Just because you’ve passed your initial background check doesn’t mean that you’re free to rack up future tickets without consequence. Ridesharing companies may, at any time, decide that you’re too much of a liability to keep on as a driver.

Both Uber and Lyft re-run background checks on their drivers annually, so it’s a safe bet that they will notice any new tickets you’ve accumulated, as well as other potentially disqualifying issues. It’s tough to get re-hired once Uber or Lyft has fired you.

Your best bet is to challenge traffic tickets in a court of law, likely preventing them from appearing on your record. Don’t delay, as even pending tickets may show up on a background check until the charges are dropped.

Off The Record makes it easy to contest your traffic ticket directly from your computer or smartphone. Get Started Now.