Uber Driver Requirements in Calgary - What You Actually Need in 2025

So you're thinking about driving for Uber in Calgary this year? Not a bad idea, honestly. With gas prices somewhat stable, flexible work options being more appealing than ever, and people always needing a ride across this growing city, driving with Uber could be the side hustle—or full-time gig—you’ve been looking for.

But before you hop into your car and open the Uber Driver app, there’s a lot of stuff you need to know. Calgary’s not like every other Canadian city. Alberta has its own set of rules, and Calgary takes things up a notch when it comes to regulations. So let’s go through, in plain English, exactly what you need to become an Uber driver in Calgary in 2025. No legal jargon, no app-hype. Just real info to help you get started.

First up—how old do you need to be? Uber says you’ve gotta be at least 21 years old to drive for them, no matter where you live in Canada. So even though Alberta technically lets you get a Class 4 licence at 18, Uber won’t let you activate your account until you hit that 21 mark. No way around it.

Now, about that licence. This is where Calgary gets a little stricter than most places. You can’t just use your regular Class 5 driver’s licence here if you want to drive for Uber. You’re gonna need a Class 1, 2, or 4 licence. Realistically, most people just get a Class 4 non-professional licence. It’s the one specifically designed for people transporting passengers in smaller vehicles like cars, vans, or SUVs. Perfect for Uber and other rideshare platforms.

To get your Class 4 licence, you’ll need to go through a few steps:

1. Pass a written knowledge test (study the Alberta Commercial Driver’s Handbook)

2. Get a medical exam done by a doctor (you’ll need to pass this before your licence is upgraded)

3. Book and pass your road test

4. Take your results and apply at an Alberta registry

The written test is mostly common sense stuff—safe driving practices, rules around transporting passengers, that kind of thing. Nothing to stress over too much, especially if you’ve been driving for a while. As for the medical exam, it checks your overall fitness to drive professionally. Think vision, hearing, any conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that might affect your ability to drive safely. Once you’ve got your Class 4 licence in hand, you're one step closer.

Alright, moving on to background checks. You’ll need two of them in Calgary: a Criminal Record Check and a Vulnerable Sector Check. These are both handled through the Calgary Police Service, and you can apply online through their ePIC system. It's actually pretty easy, and you don’t need to go in person unless there’s a name match or something else that needs extra verification.

The Vulnerable Sector Check might sound a bit intense, but it’s required for anyone who might be working around vulnerable people—including seniors and children. Even though you’re just driving folks around town, the City still wants to make sure everyone’s safe.

These checks usually take about a week or two, but sometimes longer if your name is common or there’s any kind of flag. Once you get the results back, you’ll upload them to Uber and likely need them again when applying for your Livery licence from the City. So keep digital copies stored somewhere safe.

Next is work eligibility. You need to be legally allowed to work in Canada. That means either:

• A Canadian passport

• A Canadian birth certificate

• A PR (Permanent Resident) card

• A Canadian citizenship certificate

• An open work permit that allows self-employment

Tourist visas, student visas, or employer-specific work permits usually won’t cut it. Uber will straight-up reject your application if your documents don’t show that you can legally be self-employed in Canada.

Let’s talk about insurance. This is one of those areas where it’s easy to slip up. You’ll need your regular car insurance, of course, but it has to include something called a rideshare or commercial endorsement. Basically, your insurance company needs to know that you’re using your car to earn money driving people around.

If you don’t tell them and you get in an accident while driving for Uber, they might deny your claim. Not worth the risk.

So give your insurer a call and ask them about adding a rideshare endorsement to your existing policy. Some companies in Alberta that offer this are Intact, Aviva, Belairdirect, and Economical. Once that’s added, you’ll get a new insurance slip that shows you’re covered for rideshare driving. Uber will ask for a copy of this when you sign up.

Uber also provides additional commercial insurance coverage while you're online with the app. That means the second you go available for rides, Uber’s insurance kicks in, and it’ll cover you during trips too. But again, that’s no substitute for your own personal policy. You still need both.

Now, let’s talk inspections. Every Uber vehicle in Calgary has to pass an annual inspection called a PEVO—short for Private for Hire Vehicle Inspection. It’s not something you can do just anywhere. The inspection has to be completed at a mechanic that’s approved by the City of Calgary.

They’ll check everything—brakes, tires, lights, steering, seatbelts, windshield wipers, emissions system… the full rundown. Basically, they want to make sure your car is 100% safe for passengers.

If your car passes, the shop will fill out an official form you’ll use when applying for your city licence. This inspection needs to be done every year, so put a reminder in your calendar.

What kind of car can you use, by the way? As of 2025, your car needs to be 2013 or newer, have 4 doors, be in good cosmetic and mechanical condition, and can’t have a rebuilt or salvage title. Also, no commercial wraps, big logos, or illegal tinting. Just a clean, regular car that’s reliable and safe.

Once your inspection is done, you’ll be ready for one of the most important steps: applying for your Livery Driver’s Licence with the City of Calgary.

Here’s what you’ll need to submit:

• Your valid Alberta Class 4 licence

• Your completed PEVO inspection form

• Your criminal record and vulnerable sector check results

• Proof of insurance with the rideshare endorsement

• Work eligibility documents

• A photo (for your Calgary driver ID)

Then, you’ll pay the annual fee—usually around $220, though it might vary slightly. Sometimes Uber offers to cover part of that fee if you’re signing up during a promo, so keep an eye on your inbox and your driver app. Once everything is approved, you’ll be issued a Livery ID card which you must carry while driving.

There’s one last official step: registering your vehicle as a “private for hire” vehicle with Alberta. This is a quick visit to your local registry where they update your vehicle’s classification. You’ll need to show your inspection certificate, insurance, and registration. It’s not expensive, but it’s required. Don’t skip it.

Let’s talk about a few “real-world” things now that don’t show up on checklists but are super important.

First, your car’s cleanliness matters. Even though the city’s not going to inspect for interior smells or dust bunnies under the seats, your passengers will notice—and rate you accordingly. A clean car with no weird smells (especially food or smoke) goes a long way toward getting those 5-star reviews.

Second, Calgary winters are no joke. If you’re planning to drive all year round, invest in winter tires. They’re not legally required, but they should be. Calgary roads can get nasty fast, and having proper tires keeps you safe—and helps you avoid cancellations when you don’t feel like sliding down a hill in a snowstorm.

While you're at it, stock your car with some winter must-haves: snow brush, ice scraper, windshield washer fluid, a phone charger, gloves, and maybe even an extra jacket or blanket. Rideshare driving in Calgary can take you to random industrial zones or suburbs late at night, so be ready.

Now, is this a quick process? Honestly, no. From start to finish, it can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on how fast you move through the steps, how quickly background checks come back, and how available your road test is.

But is it worth it? That depends on what you’re looking for. If you want flexible hours, a way to make money on your own time, and a job that lets you explore Calgary while meeting all kinds of people, then yeah—it can be a great gig. And once you’re fully approved, it’s relatively smooth sailing. Just stay on top of your annual paperwork, keep your car clean and safe, and the work will be there.

So to sum up, here’s what you need to become an Uber driver in Calgary in 2025:

• Be 21 or older

• Get an Alberta Class 1, 2, or 4 licence (Class 4 non-pro is most common)

• Complete a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check

• Provide proof of eligibility to work in Canada

• Add a rideshare endorsement to your insurance policy

• Pass the annual PEVO vehicle inspection

• Apply for and receive your Calgary Livery Driver’s Licence

• Register your vehicle as a private for hire with Alberta

That’s it. Sounds like a lot, and it kind of is. But once it’s done, you’ll be set up with a flexible income stream you can use however you like—weekends, evenings, full-time, or just whenever it works for your schedule.

Good luck on the road, and if you’re heading into the sign-up process now—take your time, follow each step carefully, and you’ll be driving legally (and profitably) in no time.