Uber driver sign-up and your phone number
Quick answer
To drive with Uber you sign up with a phone number and email, then complete identity, license and background checks. The phone number is used for every trip: riders contact you through it (masked) and Uber sends codes and alerts to it. That's why drivers should use their own long-term number, not a temporary one. A temporary number won't help you pass Uber's identity checks and could lock you out of your driver account when it's recycled.
Driver accounts are very different from rider accounts. They're tied to your real identity and documents, so phone verification is only the first step.
What Uber asks drivers for
- A phone number and email you'll keep.
- Driver's license, vehicle documents and insurance, depending on your city.
- Background check consent and, in many places, a selfie check before going online.
Code not arriving in the Driver app
- Check the number and the country code.
- Wait a minute, then request the code once more.
- If your carrier blocks short codes, ask it to unblock them; Uber sends codes from short codes in many countries.
Why not a virtual number
Using a number you don't control for a work account is risky: you need it for trip calls, payouts alerts and security codes. Noir SMS numbers are single-use and SMS-only, so they aren't suited to driver accounts. Use them only to verify your own consumer accounts where a temporary number is appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same number for rider and driver accounts?
Yes, Uber lets one person use the same number across rider and driver apps.
What if I change my number while driving for Uber?
Update it in the Driver app account settings and confirm the new number by SMS.
Services in this guide
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