Uber San Diego Car Requirements for All Uber Drivers

Updated January 2024 – The CDHQ team researched and updated the information regarding the Uber San Diego Car Requirements List at the beginning of January 2024.

Uber Car Requirements San Diego is a guide for those looking to drive with Uber. There are a couple of basic vehicle requirements you must meet to get started. Depending on which service type you want to sign up for, there may be some extra requirements specific to that service type.

Don’t worry, we will explain the different service types and the 2024 San Diego Uber car requirements for each category. There is even an interesting new service called Uber Español. To qualify for the premium and higher paying services like Uber SELECT or Uber BLACK, your vehicle must be on the list provided by Uber which you can find here.

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General Car Requirements San Diego

The general Uber San Diego car requirements are:

  • your vehicle must be 15 years old or newer;
  • have 4 working doors;
  • be in good condition with no cosmetic damage;
  • have no commercial branding on it;
  • have no taxi/neon color paint jobs – yellow, orange, bright green, pink, etc.
  • have no after-market and manufacturer paint jobs and no decals
  • be registered in California;
  • valid vehicle insurance;
  • pass a vehicle inspection.

Cosmetic guidelines

Some cosmetic features may prevent vehicles from qualifying for Uber. These include:

  • Full-body wraps containing advertisements, or any large ads
  • Holes in exterior
  • Taxi decals or taxi-style paint
  • Significant damage to interior (torn seats, large permanent stains, strong permanent odors)
  • Paint Oxidation
  • Different colored hoods/doors
  • Aftermarket modifications

Window tinting must be within acceptable CA regulations.

Uber Vehicle Registration Requirements in San Diego.

Uber will accept either temporary or official registration documents. The vehicle does not have to be registered in your name, however it must be registered in California.

Insurance Requirements in San Diego

Uber provides liability insurance for drivers but you are still required to maintain your insurance policy. You can learn more about the insurance coverage with Uber in the US by visiting this link on their website. 

San Diego Decals: Drivers are required to display the Uber decal front and back passenger windshield facing outward.

Uber passenger getting into an Uber Drivers vehicle

UberX San Diego Car Requirements

Uber X sedan example

UberX San Diego is the lowest-cost vehicle service option. This is the most popular type of ride for drivers and passengers.

The UberX San Diego Car requirements are:

  • A 4-door vehicle with independently opening passenger doors
  • Have 5 factory-installed seats and seat belts
  • Working windows and air conditioning
  • No vans, box trucks, or similar vehicles
  • No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
  • No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
  • No aftermarket seating modifications, such as installed seats, seat belts, or BedRyder systems
  • The vehicle must be registered and insured in the state of California

UberXL San Diego Vehicle Requirements

Uber XL example car in San Diego

UberXL San Diego offers the lowest-cost ride for more than 4 more passengers. You will get paid more if you have a minivan, cross-over, or SUV that can fit up to 6 passengers.

The UberXL San Diego Car requirements are:

  • A 4-door vehicle with independently opening passenger doors
  • Have 7 factory-installed seats and seat belts
  • Working windows and air conditioning
  • No vans, box trucks, or similar vehicles
  • No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
  • No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
  • No aftermarket seating modifications, such as installed seats, seat belts, or BedRyder systems
  • The vehicle must be registered and insured in the state of California

SELECT San Diego Car Requirements

Uber select style car

Uber SELECT San Diego is a mid-tier luxury car service that commands higher fares than UberX. Your car does not have to be black but must be one of the accepted models. You must also be a top-rated driver with experience already on the platform.

The Uber SELECT San Diego car requirements are:

  • Model year 2009 or newer
  • Leather or vinyl interior with no tears
  • Seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
  • The vehicle must be registered and insured in the state of California
  • Working windows and air conditioning
  • No full-sized vans or trucks
  • No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
  • No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles

Your vehicle must be a make and model on the accepted car list. For a complete list of Uber BLACK cars that are eligible in San Diego, you can refer to our San Diego Car List for Uber SELECT, Uber BLACK and Uber BLACK SUV drivers.

BLACK San Diego Car Requirements

Uber black luxury vehicle

Uber BLACK San Diego is the highest level of car service Uber offers in San Diego. It also commands the highest fares for drivers who own black sedans and meet the requirements to drive.

The Uber BLACK San Diego Car requirements are:

  • Keep a star rating of 4.85 or higher
  • 5-year-old vehicle or newer
  • Seating: Must comfortably seat 4 or more passengers
  • Body Style: Must be a 4-door vehicle
  • The vehicle must be registered and insured in the state of California
  • Must have commercial insurance
  • Must have a TCP permit
  • Must have a city-specific airport permit, when required
  • Black exterior in excellent condition
  • Black leather interior with no tears
  • No visible stains
  • Operational A/C

Your vehicle must be a make and model on the accepted car list. For a complete list of Uber BLACK cars that are eligible in San Diego, you can refer to our San Diego Car List for Uber SELECT, Uber BLACK and Uber BLACK SUV drivers.

BLACK SUV San Diego Vehicle Requirements

Luxury black suv for Uber in San Diego

Uber BLACK SUV San Diego is the most expensive service Uber offers. You get paid more than Uber BLACK because you can fit more passengers. Similar to Uber BLACK, you must meet strict rating requirements.

The Uber BLACK SUV San Diego Car requirements are:

  • Keep a star rating of 4.85 or higher
  • 5-year-old vehicle or newer
  • Seating: Must comfortably seat 6 or more passengers
  • Body Style: Must be a 4-door vehicle
  • Must be a full-size SUV
  • The vehicle must be registered and insured in the state of California
  • Must have commercial insurance
  • Must have a TCP permit
  • Must have a city-specific airport permit, when required
  • Black exterior in excellent condition
  • Black leather interior with no tears
  • Working windows
  • No visible stains
  • Operational A/C

Your vehicle must be a make and model on the accepted car list. For a complete list of Uber BLACK cars that are eligible in San Diego, you can refer to our San Diego Car List for Uber SELECT, Uber BLACK and Uber BLACK SUV drivers.

Español San Diego Car Requirements

Español San Diego Car example

Fluent in Spanish? Allow riders to experience UberX with a Spanish-speaking driver-partner.

The Uber Español San Diego Car requirements are:

  • A 4-door vehicle with independently opening passenger doors
  • Have 5 factory-installed seats and seat belts
  • Working windows and air conditioning
  • No vans, box trucks, or similar vehicles
  • No taxi cabs, government cars, or other marked vehicles
  • No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
  • No aftermarket seating modifications, such as installed seats, seat belts, or BedRyder systems
  • The vehicle must be registered and insured in the state of California

There are no specific requirements other than being fluent in Spanish for the Uber Español service in San Diego. The service is essentially the equivalent of UberX.

UberComfort Chicago Car Requirements

Uber Comfort provides a rider with a comfortable secure ride to their destination. Vehicles offer more legroom and come with top-rated drivers.

The Uber Comfort Car requirements are:

  • Maintain eligibility on a different Uber option such as UberX, Select, UberXL, Uber Black, or Uber Black SUV
  • Have a minimum star rating of 4.85 based on at least 250 trips
  • Drive a vehicle with more legroom than smaller, compact cars eligible for UberX and that meets the minimum vehicle year requirement

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