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Everyone that knows about Uber has heard that they require drivers to undergo background checks as well as a DMV records check. But until now I have not been able to find what the tolerance of the findings were. I found this article:
Answering readers’ questions about the Uber car service
By Paul Brinkmann
The most important part of the article regarding the safety of Uber is copied word for word here:
Q.Why should riders feel safe with an Uber driver? Aren’t taxi drivers safer because that is their primary profession and they are licensed through the city?
Uber: Uber offers a variety of safeguards to connect riders to the safest rides on the road. All Uber driver partners must go through a rigorous three-step background check which includes county, federal and multi-state checks. Our background checking process and standards are consistent across the United States and used throughout all Uber products including UberX. … All drivers are screened against: County and federal court records going back seven years, a multi-state criminal database check going back seven years, the National Sex Offender Registry, a Social Security Trace (lifetime) and motor vehicle records check. (Historical and ongoing). Drivers must meet the following criteria: No convictions for violent crimes, sexual offenses, or felonies in the past seven years; No convictions of theft or property damage in the past seven years; no drug or DUI charges in the past seven years; No severe driving violations such as hit-and-run, driving over 100 mph, driving on a suspended/revoked license, or driving on the wrong side of a divided highway; and no driving without insurance or suspended license charge in the past 3 years. Riders also have the option to rate every driver.
Another topic has been coming up often: Insurance. The state of Florida was asked to look at the insurance policy that Uber carries and asked if it was adequate to cover riders. In this article in the Tampa Bay times, it was determined that Uber had more than enough coverage. More than was legally required by taxi’s. Once a rider starts a trip there is a one million dollar policy in effect.
The Article by Paul Brinkmann ask more questions about Uber that are interesting reading.