Both Uber & Lyft run a basic background check on new drivers. It's nothing extensive, just a search of public records. I think they search driving records and criminal records, but I'm not sure exactly what's involved.
It's possible that backgrounds vary from market to market, although I think Uber is consistent statewide in Florida.
I drive part-time for both Uber and Lyft
in Miami, and this is the background investigation I received
with Uber:
- Local criminal history check
- Florida criminal history check
- National criminal history check through FBI database
- Florida Sexual Predator list check
- National Sexual Predator list check
- Dept of Homeland Security terrorist watch list check
- Local and state driving record checks
- Verification of vehicle registration
- Verification of insurance
- Extensive vehicle inspection (19-point inspection, very detailed) by an approved, ASE-certified auto service shop
Lyft does a very basic inspection of a car when the driver first signs up. They just have an experienced driver check that essential systems are working: doors, lights, seatbelts, etc. It's not a mechanical inspection, just a walk around. I don't remember Uber doing an inspection when I signed up. Neither company does any continuing inspections that I'm aware of (at least not in the Orlando market.)
Our market is different, and Lyft's system is a total mystery.
- I don't know what kind of background they did, but it took a month (Uber's was 8-10 days).
- The vehicle inspection was identical (actually the same inspection, by the same mechanic, at the same time).
- We do not have the so-called "mentor" system with Lyft here, so nobody from Lyft (or Uber) actually inspected my car.
I don't know about Lyft, but Uber currently redoes the entire background/documentation/vehicle inspection process
annually nationwide.
There is a new Florida law going into effect on July 1, 2017 that will require updates every
three years, but I don't know whether that will change Uber's policy or not. I rather doubt it, for liability reasons.
Your primary protection is the driver rating system.
There is a lot of controversy about the validity of the rating systems, because there are way too many variables for these ratings to have much value. Consider:
- About 50% of all riders do not rate drivers at all.
- I had a very nice rider yesterday morning who left her purse in my vehicle. I returned it to her, she gushed her appreciation and gave me a $40 tip...but she did NOT rate me at all. Surely, she thought I was great -- I'm probably the best driver she's ever had -- but she's got more important things on her mind than giving a nonsensical rating. The tip was her rating.
- A new driver has five rides. They started out with a 5.0 rating and have achieved 4 perfect 5-star ratings and one 3-star rating. What is their average? It's 4.6.
- If they maintain that 4.6 rating for 50 rides or so, they will be fired.
- Is that fair, based on such a low sample size? Probably NOT.
- Two categories of riders typically give MUCH lower driver ratings -- drunks riding late at night (anything that went wrong during their day results in a low driver rating at the end of an unsuccessful evening), and riders who choose Uber Pool and Lyft Line services.
- I drive 80% during the day, and never late-night, and I am opted out of Uber Pool. I have a very high 4.94 rating. Other drivers who are better drivers than I -- but drive late nights and accept Pool (you don't want to know what we call it!), have lower ratings than I do.
- The Pool/Line low rating phenomenon is one of several reasons why most highly-rated, experienced drivers do not accept Pool/Line.
- Just yesterday, Uber announced they were changing the ratings system for Pool because the numbers are so messed up.
After each ride, the rider has the opportunity to rate the driver from 1-5 stars, and add any specific comments.
True, and actually Uber's system encourages negative comments. The main thing riders need to understand is that these rating systems are nothing like "star ratings" for hotels. A 5-star rating is an A for a driver. 4 stars and lower is
an F, and can cause the driver to lose their job.
Drivers also rate riders. In fact, with both systems, drivers are
required to rate riders in order to close out the ride and get paid. The rider rating is displayed to the driver with your ride request, and most experienced drivers will not accept a ride from someone rated lower than 4.5-4.6.
The vast majority of drivers rate
every rider 5-stars. In almost 1,000 rides, I have rated
one rider 3 stars, and
one rider 2 stars...and they both richly deserved those low ratings. The other 998 got 5-star ratings.
You always have the right to refuse a ride, or ask the driver to let you out before reaching your destination. You may be charged a cancellation fee, but you can appeal that if you have a good reason.
True. You don't have to, and should NOT, get into any rideshare vehicle (or taxi, for that matter) if you don't feel safe. Nobody -- not you, the company, nor the driver -- wants you on board if you are not comfortable.
Forget cancellation fees and "good reason." Are you going to put yourself in a situation where you don't feel safe to save $5.00 ??? I hope not!
If you don't feel comfortable, cancel. If you get charged a cancellation fee, appeal it and it will be refunded 100% of the time...guaranteed.