Illinois has established detailed rules and requirements for rideshare drivers to ensure safety, accountability, and fair working conditions. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what you need to know if you’re considering driving for a rideshare company like Uber or Lyft in Illinois:
Driver Eligibility and Background Checks
Minimum Age: Must be at least 19 years old (some platforms, like Lyft, require 25+ in certain cities such as Bloomington and Peoria).
Driving Experience: At least one year of licensed driving experience is required.
Valid Driver’s License: Must have a valid driver’s license (out-of-state licenses are accepted by most platforms, except in some cities where an Illinois license is required).
Driving History: No more than three moving violations in the last three years; no major violations (e.g., reckless driving, driving on a revoked license) in the last three years.
Criminal Background: No convictions in the past seven years for DUI, fraud, sexual offenses, felonious use of a vehicle, property damage crimes, theft, violent acts, or acts of terrorism.
Sex Offender Registry: Cannot be listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.
False Information: Providing false information on the application will disqualify you.
Vehicle Requirements
Model Year: Vehicle must be a certain age or newer (e.g., 2015 or newer in Bloomington; 2009 or newer in most other cities).
Doors: Must have four doors.
Seatbelts: Must have 5–8 seatbelts, including the driver’s.
Vehicle Type: Cannot be a taxi, stretch limousine, or non-Express Drive rental vehicle.
Vehicle Title: Cannot be titled as salvage, non-repairable, or rebuilt.
Insurance and Safety
Insurance Requirements:
App On, No Passenger: Minimum liability coverage of $50,000 per person, $100,000 per incident, and $25,000 property damage.
Passenger in Vehicle: Minimum of $1 million in liability coverage for personal injury, death, and property damage; $50,000 minimum for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Rideshare Insurance: Personal auto policies often exclude coverage while ridesharing; additional rideshare insurance is required to fill gaps.
Zero Tolerance Policy:
Strict prohibition on alcohol or drug use while logged into the app or providing rideshare services.
Safety Measures:
Enhanced background checks and ongoing monitoring for driver safety.
Unionization and Worker Rights
Unionization Efforts: Recent agreements and proposed legislation aim to grant rideshare drivers collective bargaining rights while maintaining their status as independent contractors.
Labor Peace: Uber has agreed not to oppose unionization efforts, paving the way for improved pay and working conditions for drivers.
Transparency: Proposed legislation may require fare breakdowns, transparency in driver deactivations, and new safety measures.
Summary Table
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 19 (some cities/platforms require 25+) |
| Driving Experience | 1 year |
| License | Valid driver’s license (Illinois or out-of-state, depending on city) |
| Driving History | ≤3 moving violations/3 years; no major violations/3 years |
| Criminal Background | No DUI, fraud, sexual offenses, etc. in last 7 years |
| Vehicle Age | 2015 or newer (some cities); 2009 or newer (most cities) |
| Vehicle Doors | 4 |
| Seatbelts | 5–8 |
| Insurance (App On) | $50k/$100k/$25k liability |
| Insurance (Passenger In) | $1M liability; $50k uninsured/underinsured |
| Zero Tolerance Policy | No alcohol or drugs while logged in or providing rides |
Key Takeaways
-Illinois has strict requirements for rideshare drivers, including age, driving history, and background checks.
-Vehicles must meet specific age, safety, and insurance standards.
-Rideshare insurance is required to cover gaps left by personal auto policies.
-Recent developments aim to improve drivers’ rights through unionization and collective bargaining, with Uber now supporting these efforts.
-Drivers and companies must comply with ongoing safety and transparency measures.
-Always check with the specific rideshare platform and current state regulations to ensure full compliance.
Sources:
- https://www.shealawgroup.com/requirements-of-uber-lyft/
- https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-ca/articles/115013078528-Illinois-Driver-Information
- https://backgroundsonline.com/blog/illinois-passed-a-new-law-for-rideshare-drivers
- https://insurify.com/car-insurance/illinois/rideshare-insurance/