Uber Vehicle Requirements New Jersey

There  are four different Uber Services available to NJ residents and drivers.  They are UberBLACK, UberXL, UberX, and UberSUV.  The insurance requirements to drive for Uber are much more stringent than a lot of States.  They are listed with the different services, since they vary by which one you want to or can drive for.

Uber Decal

Beginning in May of 2017, New Jersey began enacting a law that requires all New Jersey Uber vehicles to display a decal while they are on duty.  It doesn’t cost you any money.  Uber will send you one when you sign up to drive for them anywhere in the State.

The sticker must be placed on the passenger windshield and be clearly visible anytime that you are online.  It usually takes about a week to receive the decal.  Failure to display the sticker will result in a fine.  Although it must be said, how’s anyone going to know?

Requirements for all Uber Cars in Jersey

Uber is always looking for more good drivers.  In that spirit, the vehicle requirements aren’t too stringent.  Here are a few mandatory things your car must be able to have/pass, regardless of which Uber you ultimately sign up for.

• The vehicle must be from model year 2003 or newer.  Some services, such as UberBLACK require significantly newer vehicles.
• Your vehicle can NOT be a 2 door vehicle.  It must have four doors, or be a minivan.  But not a full size van either.  More on this here: Can You Use a Two Door Car for Uber?
• It can’t be a rust bucket, covered in branding, clearly a taxi, or ever have been a Ford Crown Victoria.
• Your vehicle can’t have a commercial wrap, or any large noticeable advertisement on it.
• Your car can’t have a disgusting interior.  Think torn seats, Pepsi stains on the carpets, or generally unpleasant odors.
• It has to look stock on the outside, with high quality paint.  Your vehicle will be rejected if the paint is oxidized.  You also can’t have a door or hood that’s a different color than the rest of the vehicle.  A typical high volume paint shop, such as Maaco, can paint a hood or door to match for a couple hundred bucks.  It might not look perfect, but it’ll get you past an Uber inspection.
• Uber also says that they won’t let vehicles in with “aftermarket modifications”.  Think of a vehicle that has huge spoilers, loud exhaust, giant rims, or anything else that’s going to take away from a really pleasant ride.
• You must carry an insurance policy on the vehicle.  Uber does carry a liability insurance policy “on behalf of U.S. partners”.  You still must meet all applicable New Jersey law when it comes to auto insurance.
• The vehicle must pass an Uber inspection.  They’ll tell you what to do as you sign up.
• Your vehicle must have working windows and an air conditioner.
• It can’t have a salvage title, or be rebuilt.

UberX Vehicle Requirements: New Jersey

An UberX in New Jersey is required to be at least a 2003 or newer model year.  In addition to all the requirements listed above, here are the UberX specific vehicle requirements for New Jersey.

• Vehicle must be able to carry at least 4 passengers not including yourself.
• 2003+ model year.
• In New Jersey, a driver must carry either personal or commercial insurance with a minimum of $30,000 in coverage.  The driver’s name must be on the policy.
• The vehicle must have a fully functional A/C and all the windows must work.
• Can’t be a full size van or truck.
• Must be a four door sedan.

The vehicle should be a four door sedan.  If you have a larger vehicle, like the Toyota Sienna, you can still use it for UberX in Jersey.  You would want to sign up to drive for the UberXL service. It’s not an either or.  If your car is qualified for UberXL, you can still pick up UberX riders.

For more on the general car requirements for UberX, please see Uber X car requirements.

UberXL Vehicle Requirements: New Jersey

The UberXL car requirements in New Jersey are pretty much the  It has to be a six passenger van or SUV.  It can’t be a taxi cab, full size truck, or full sized van.  According to Uber it must have “Independently opening doors”.  The vehicle must be newer than the 2003 model year.

UberXL is a lot like UberX.  It’s not as as difficult to get into as Uber SUV.  Here are the UberXL Vehicle requirements for New Jersey:

Here is a more in depth on the general UberXL vehicle requirements.

UberBlack and Uber SUV Vehicle Requirements:  New Jersey

UberBlack and UberSUV represent the best of Uber service and are meant to deliver a high end ride for about what it would cost to ride in a normal taxi most of the time.

• The vehicle has to be a 2010 model year or newer.
• You must carry full Limousine insurance with a minimum of $1.5 million in coverage.  The driver’s name must be on the policy.
• The interior and exterior must be black.
• UberBlack must be a high end sedan and carry up to 4 passengers.  UberSUV must be a high end SUV and carry up to 6 passengers.  The passenger count does not include the driver.
• The interiors and exteriors of the vehicles should be in pristine condition.  This means not dents, stains, rust, oxidation, missing vehicle emblems, tears in interior etc.
• Can’t have a cloth interior.  Leather is preferred.  Vinyl is acceptable.

Here’s a more in depth look at the general vehicle requirements for UberBlack and UberSUV.

Wrapping Up

New Jersey is a great place to drive for Uber, and the car requirements for driving here can be stringent with the sticker and insurance.  But don’t let that discourage you.  There’s a lot of money to be made.  Good luck!

P.S.  Here’s Uber’s official NJ page.  This page goes into more depth than it does.  But it wouldn’t hurt to take a look.