Uber Vancouver Car Requirements: Get Started As A Driver Today!

As of January 2020, Uber Vancouver officially exists. BC’s Passenger and Transportation board now allows rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft to operate in the Lower Mainland area. The service area, known as “Region 1” includes the lower mainland area as well as Whistler.

You’re probably super excited to sign up as a driver and start earning, but there are a few Rideshare regulations specific to BC that you will need to know.

For starters, drivers will need to hold at least a Class 4 restricted license in order to drive with Uber. A Class 4 license allows drivers to operate vehicles for hire like Taxi’s or as an Uber driver.

Let’s take a look at the car requirements, driver requirements, and earning potential of driving for Uber in Vancouver, BC!

Where can you drive for Uber in Vancouver?
Uber Car Requirements Vancouver
Driver Requirements Uber Vancouver
Uber Vancouver Pay Rates and Service Types
How To Sign Up With Uber In Vancouver
Uber Driver Taxes
Uber Vancouver Insurance Requirements
Contact Information

Looking for other rideshare options in your city? Head over to our Choose Your City page to find out what rideshare apps are available. Learn how to get signed up in no time!

Where can you drive for Uber in Vancouver?

Uber has been granted a license to operate in Region 1 of BC. This area includes, Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Coquitlam, Abbotsford, Aldergrove, and Langley Township.

Drivers are also able to accept rides to Whistler but are not able to accept pick ups in the Whistler area.

Vancouver Airport Pick ups and Drop offs

The Vancouver YVR Airport has 3 designated locations for rideshare drivers to pick up their passengers.

International Arrivals, Level 2
Domestic Arrivals, Level 2
South Terminal

Drivers can drop off their passengers off at the normal airport drop off locatons.

Click here for more info on Vancouver YVR Airport Pick ups and Drop offs

Uber Car Requirements Vancouver

In order to work for a Transportation Network Services (TNS) company in BC, your vehicle must meet certain criteria.

To be a licensed Passenger Directed Vehicle driver:

Your car must be less than 10 years old
Regular vehicle inspections (annually or semi-annually)
Must complete a daily pre-trip inspection of vehicle

Uber also has their own car requirements that your vehicle must meet. Here are the basic requirements for the service types available in Vancouver:

UberX Car Requirements

Vehicle must be 9 years old or newer
4-door vehicle with 5 independently opening doors
Seat at least 4 passengers in addition to the driver
Good condition with no cosmetic damage
No full-sized vans or trucks
No taxi cabs, government cars, or commercially marked vehicles
No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
Pass a vehicle inspection by a licensed mechanic.

Some Examples: Kia Forte, Chrysler 300, Nissan Altima, Toyota Corolla, Chevrolet Cruze

UberXL Vehicle Requirements

Vehicle must be 9 years old or newer
4-door SUV or minivan with independently opening doors
Seat at least 6 passengers in addition to the driver
No full-sized vans or trucks
Good condition with no cosmetic damage
No taxi cabs, government cars, or commercially marked vehicles
No salvaged or rebuilt vehicles
Pass a vehicle inspection by a licensed mechanic.

Some Examples: Ford Explorer, Honda Odyssey, Chevrolet Traverse, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander

For a more complete list of Uber accepted vehicles, see the Uber Accepted Vehicle List.

Uber Black Car Requirements

Uber Black (Select) is not yet available in Vancouver but here are the general requirements:

5-year-old vehicle or newer
Must have black exterior and black leather interior
4 full, independently opening doors
Seats and seat belts for driver and 4 passengers.
No cosmetic damage or missing pieces
No commercial branding or taxi colour paint jobs
Pass a vehicle inspection by a licensed mechanic.
Rating of 4.85 or more

Don’t meet the Uber car requirements in Vancouver? Don’t worry, you can probably still drive for their delivery service UberEats! Click here for the requirements and pay information for UberEats Vancouver.

Uber Windshield Decals

As per the rideshare regulations in BC, drivers must place decals in their windshields when driving for a ride-hailing app. These must be placed on the front windshield on the passenger side, and the back windo on the drivers side.

Once you are fully signed up as a driver, Uber will mail you a set of decals to display on your vehicle.

What is a pre-trip inspection?

Every day before you start driving you will need to complete a pre-trip inspection. It is your responsibility to ensure you are operating a mechanically safe and operational vehicle. This is often called a “circle check” and inspects your lights, tires, windows, seatbelts, and other safety features.

The ICBC has an awesome checklist you can use for your pre-trip inspections.

We suggest printing a bunch of these to keep in your vehicle. It is also important to keep your pre-trip inspection with you while your are driving for Uber. You may be asked to present a proof of pre-trip inspection if you are pulled over or stopped.

Why do you need a vehicle inspection?

As a PDV driver it is your responsibility to maintain the safety of your vehicle. This means regular inspections and sticking with the manufactures recommended maintenance schedule.

In BC, you either need to complete an inspection annually, or semi-annually, depends on how much you driver your vehicle.

If you drove over 40,000km in the previous year, you are required to complete a vehicle inspection twice a year.

If you drove under 40,000km in the previous year, you are required to inspect your vehicle only once a year.

There are many locations you can bring your vehicle for a TNS inspection. The inspection should cost you $80-$300 depending on where you go.

Uber drivers receive a rate of $80 plus tax for an inspection at participating Canadian Tire locations.

Driver Requirements Uber Vancouver

Uber drivers in BC are required to have either a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 4 driver’s license.

The most applicable license here would be the Class 4 license which is the bare minimum license you must have to drive with Uber in Vancouver.

To get a Class 4 license you must be at least 19 years or older with 2 years or more driving experience. You must also pass a few tests and examinations.

You must have an acceptable drivers record (less than 4 penalty points)
Complete a Class 4 knowledge test and a practical examination
Pass a pre-trip inspection test
Pass a medical fitness examination

Studying for your Class 4 license? Check out our BC Class 4 drivers license practice tests, take all 5 of them to prepare for the real knowledge test.
BC Class 4 Practice Test 1
BC Class 4 Practice Test 2
BC Class 4 Practice Test 3
BC Class 4 Practice Test 4
BC Class 4 Practice Test 5

Class 4 Hours of Service

Since you will be a licensed Class 4 commercial driver, you are expected to follow the Hours of Service regulations. This is pretty easy as a rideshare driver.

The Hours of Service regulations state that a driver can either be On-Duty or Off-Duty. To keep it simple, you can be online for 13 hours in a day before requiring a minimum of 6 consecutive hours of Off-Duty time. For Uber drivers, the Driver app will keep track of your On-Duty time for you.

Here are some examples of being On-Duty:

Enroute or waiting for a pickup
Performing pre-trip inspections
Fueling or replenishing rider snacks
Time spent delivering UberEats
Taking your car for a safety inspection

uber vancouver hours of service guidelines — Screenshot from Uber.com

Background Checks and Driving Records

When you sign up with Uber, you must complete a background check and have a clean driving record.

In BC a clean driving record means having less than 4 penalty points within the past 2 years. You can get a drivers record from the ICBC, called an N-print. If you are new to BC then you will need to get a drivers abstract from the location you moved from.

A police record check is also required, this check helps ensure that Uber is hiring safe drivers. You will need to go to your local RCMP station to obtain your police record check. Make sure it include the Vulnerable Sector Check. There may be a cost for the record check, depending on where you go.

You can use this checklist to see what the criteria is to pass a record check.

Uber Vancouver Rates and Service Types

Uber offers drivers the option of either UberX or UberXL in Vancouver. Here are the rates for each service type:

UberX

The classic economic sedan service (1-4 pax)

Base Fare:
$2.50
Per Minute:
$0.33
Per Km:
$0.70
Cancellation Fee:
$5.00
Minimum Fare:
$6.00
Wait Time Per Minute:
$0.45

UberXL

An economic service for larger groups (1-6. pax)

Base Fare:
$5.00
Per Minute:
$0.40
Per Km:
$1.35
Cancellation Fee:
$5.00
Minimum Fare:
$9.00
Wait Time Per Minute:
$0.60

Tips, Fees, and Payment Methods

Tipping Option?

Yes passengers have the option to tip in app or in cash

Average Hourly Wage?

$15-20

Surge Pricing?

Yes!

Commission Fee

20%-40%

Long Pick Up Fee?

None

Tolls?

Toll fees will be remitted to the driver less transponder fee

Cleaning Fee?

Depends on the incident, up to $150.

Frequency of Pay?

Weekly

Want to get paid faster? Find out more information in our article on Daily Pay, Flex Pay and Instant Pay and how it works from Uber with perks like CAA and Esso Price Privileges

*Booking Fee collected by Uber, not paid to driver. Commission is deducted from driver earnings. Uber commission for Uber Assist drivers is 15%.

Try our Uber Pay Calculator

Download the Uber driver app (Android or iPhone).
Enter your information and upload documents. You will need to upload the following documents: Insurance, Driver’s License, Vehicle Registration and Proof of Work Eligibility.
Complete a vehicle inspection and upload the Safety Standards Certificate by taking a picture.
A background check is required to drive for Uber, this may sometimes take a few days and a visit to a Greenlight Hub may be required.
Uber will notify you by e-mail and in the app when you are approved

This sign-up infographic will help you get started!

Uber Driver Taxes

As an Uber driver, you are not an employee but are self-employed contracting with Uber. This means that you are responsible for remitting your own taxes and keep track of your expenses, just like an other business owner.

The taxes you will have to pay include CPP (Canadian Pension Plan contributions), Employment Insurance (optional), Federal and Provincial Income tax.

You should consult with an accountant who can tell you how much to save from your earnings, especially if you have another job.

HST will also be charged to the customer and passed on to you. That means that you will need keep it to pay the government. You will need to get an HST number from the CRA in order to remit the 13%.

We know this can be a bit confusing when you are starting out.

That is why we have developed a three-part tax guide to answer all your questions as well as a primer on the difference between Uber and Lyft when it comes to taxes.

Uber Vancouver Insurance Requirements

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) provides a blanket insurance certificate to Uber and other rideshare companies operating in BC.

Here is Uber’s insurance policy with the ICBC

For drivers this means that while they are on a trip with Uber they are covered. Once drivers are no longer in trip, they are back on their own personal insurance plan.

The basic rideshare insurance plan will cover drivers up to $1 million in third-party liability and $300,000 in accident benefits.

ICBC has also created an insurance plan for drivers using services like Turo or Outdoorsy. It is a blanket insurance policy that is purchased by the platforms and will cover the vehicle owners.

Uber Vancouver, BC rideshare insurance coverage infographic

Optional Blanket Coverage (Company or Driver)

ICBC also offers an optional blanket insurance product to ride-hailing companies and drivers. This coverage is not mandatory and covers Comprehensive and Collision insurance. You as a driver will need to check with your rideshare company to see what insurance coverage they have with the ICBC.

If the company has not purchased the additional insurance or if their insurance is lower than your personal insurance, you may want to add rideshare insurance to your personal plan.

It is best to get in contact with your Auto Insurer to find the best insurance for you in Vancouver.

What your Autoplan Broker will need to know

When you are discussing your rideshare insurance plane with your broker it is important to come prepared with this information.

Vehicle make and model
Which rideshare or delivery apps you drive for
What types of insurance the rideshare company has
How many days per month you drive for rideshare apps

In BC a drivers personal insurance coverage includes up to 6 days a month of commercial driving. Anything more than this would require an add-on insurance package.

Uber Vancouver Contact Information

Uber support number: 1-800-593-7069
Support twitter: @Uber_support
Uber Help Center: Help Center

Vancouver Green Light Hub

698 Seymour St Unit 204,
Vancouver, BC
V6B 3K3

Monday-Friday: 10am-5pm

About The Author: Commercial Driver HQ

Commercial Driver HQ strives to provide you with quality information about driving for a living. Whether you’re an Uber driver or a long haul trucker, we are here to help you succeed!