Uber Car Requirements Melbourne 2026: Every Rule You Need to Know

Uber Vehicle Requirements in Melbourne — 2026 Rules

Before you can accept your first ride in Melbourne, your vehicle must meet Uber's strict eligibility standards. These rules are set by Uber Australia and enforced by the Victorian Government's Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV). Getting them wrong means delays, rejected applications, or deactivation. This guide covers every requirement current as of 2026.

If you don't own a qualifying vehicle, renting an Uber-approved car from Baraka is the fastest way to get on the road — all our vehicles already meet every requirement listed below.

General Vehicle Requirements (All Uber Services)

Every vehicle used for rideshare in Victoria must meet these baseline standards:

• Four doors — two-door coupes and sportscars are not eligible
• Five or more seatbelts (including the driver's seat)
• Vehicle age: must be a 2014 model year or newer (vehicles older than 12 years are ineligible)
• Current Victorian registration — interstate plates are not accepted
• Roadworthy Certificate (RWC) — required at sign-up and annually thereafter
• Comprehensive insurance that includes rideshare/commercial passenger use
• No salvage or repairable write-off history on the PPSR/NEVDIS register
• Clean exterior and interior — no visible damage, stains, or excessive wear
• Working air conditioning — mandatory in all seasons
• No commercial branding or signage on the vehicle

All Baraka rideshare rental vehicles are pre-checked against this list before handover, so you skip the inspection uncertainty entirely.

UberX Requirements

UberX is the standard service tier and has the lowest vehicle threshold:

• Meets all general requirements above
• Sedan, hatchback, SUV, or wagon body style
• Minimum 4 passenger seats (excluding driver)
• No luxury or prestige requirement — economy vehicles qualify

Popular qualifying vehicles include the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, and Hyundai i30. At Baraka, the Corolla and Camry Hybrid are our most popular UberX rentals — both available from $200/week with insurance included.

Uber Comfort Requirements

Uber Comfort pays higher fares but requires a higher-spec vehicle:

• All UberX requirements plus:
• Mid-size or full-size sedan/SUV — compact cars don't qualify
• 2018 model year or newer
• Leather or leatherette seats preferred (not mandatory but affects eligibility)
• Extra rear legroom — Uber measures interior dimensions
• 4.85+ driver rating required to maintain Comfort access

The Toyota Camry Hybrid qualifies for Uber Comfort and is available for weekly rental from Baraka. Comfort drivers typically earn 20–40% more per trip than UberX.

UberXL Requirements

UberXL serves groups of up to 6 passengers and commands premium fares:

• All general requirements plus:
• Minimum 6 passenger seats (7+ total including driver)
• SUV or people-mover body style
• Third-row seating must be permanently installed (no removable seats)
• Adequate cargo space for luggage alongside all passengers

The Toyota Kluger Hybrid 7-seater is our go-to UberXL vehicle. It qualifies for both UberX and UberXL, maximising your trip opportunities. Read our Kluger guide for full details.

Insurance Requirements for Uber in Victoria

This is where many new drivers get caught out. Standard personal car insurance does not cover rideshare driving. You need:

• Comprehensive motor vehicle insurance with a rideshare or CTP endorsement
• Policy must explicitly cover commercial passenger vehicle use
• Major insurers offering rideshare policies: NRMA, Allianz, AAMI (with CTP add-on)
• Expect to pay $2,500–$4,000/year for standalone rideshare insurance

When you rent from Baraka, comprehensive rideshare insurance is included in your weekly rate — no separate policy needed, no excess surprises. Learn more in our rideshare insurance guide.

Driver Requirements (You, Not the Car)

Your vehicle is only half the equation. You also need:

• Full Australian driver's licence (or recognised international licence + IDP for temporary visa holders)
• Held licence for 12+ months
• National Police Check — no disqualifying offences
• Working With Children Check (WWCC) — mandatory in Victoria for all CPV drivers
• CPVV driver accreditation — apply through the Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria portal
• Minimum age 21 (Uber requirement, not legal minimum)

The CPVV accreditation process takes 2–4 weeks. While you wait, you can reserve your vehicle so it's ready the day your accreditation is approved.

Vehicle Inspection Checklist

Before submitting your vehicle to Uber, run through this checklist:

Check	Requirement	Baraka Rentals
Vehicle age	2014 or newer	✅ All 2020+
Doors	4 doors minimum	✅ All 4-door
Seatbelts	5+ (incl. driver)	✅ All 5+ seats
Registration	Current VIC rego	✅ Always current
Roadworthy	Valid RWC	✅ Maintained
Insurance	Rideshare comprehensive	✅ Included
Write-off check	No PPSR flags	✅ Clean history
Air conditioning	Fully working	✅ Serviced regularly
Exterior condition	No major damage	✅ Presentation-ready

Why Renting Beats Buying for New Uber Drivers

Buying a qualifying vehicle means committing $25,000–$45,000 before you've earned a single dollar. If rideshare doesn't work out — or Uber changes its requirements — you're stuck with a depreciating asset.

Long-term car rental from Baraka eliminates this risk:

• From $200/week — all-inclusive (insurance, servicing, roadside assist)
• No lock-in contracts — return the car whenever you want
• Pre-approved vehicles — every car meets Uber's requirements on day one
• No depreciation risk — the car loses value on our books, not yours
• Hybrid fleet — Toyota hybrids deliver 4.5–5.5L/100km, saving $80–$120/week vs petrol

Can I Drive for DiDi With the Same Vehicle?

Yes. DiDi's vehicle requirements in Melbourne are virtually identical to Uber's. Any car that qualifies for UberX will also qualify for DiDi. Many of our drivers run both apps simultaneously to maximise earnings. Read our DiDi car rental guide and DiDi rental page for platform-specific tips.

Can I Use a Rental Car for Uber?

Yes — but only if the rental company explicitly permits rideshare use. Most mainstream rental companies (Hertz, Avis, Budget) prohibit it in their terms and conditions. Using their cars for Uber voids your insurance.

Baraka specialises in rideshare car rental. Every vehicle in our fleet is:

• Explicitly approved for Uber, DiDi, and Uber Eats
• Covered by comprehensive rideshare insurance
• Registered and maintained to meet all platform requirements
• Available from our Tarneit base with same-day collection

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the oldest car allowed for Uber in Melbourne?

As of 2026, vehicles must be a 2014 model year or newer (no older than 12 years). This threshold updates annually — a car that qualifies today may age out next year. Renting avoids this problem entirely since Baraka regularly updates the fleet.

Do I need a special licence to drive Uber in Melbourne?

You need a standard full driver's licence plus CPVV (Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria) accreditation. There's no special "rideshare licence" — the CPVV accreditation involves a police check, Working With Children Check, and an online application.

How much does rideshare insurance cost in Melbourne?

Standalone rideshare comprehensive insurance costs $2,500–$4,000 per year in Melbourne. With Baraka's rental, comprehensive rideshare insurance is included in your $200/week rate — saving you thousands annually.

Can I drive Uber with an international licence?

Yes, if you hold a valid overseas licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP). You still need CPVV accreditation and must meet all other driver requirements. Many of our customers are visa holders — read about student and visa holder car rental options.

What happens if my car fails the Uber vehicle inspection?

You'll need to fix the issues and resubmit. Common failure reasons include worn tyres, cracked windscreens, and missing roadworthy certificates. If your personal car fails inspection, renting a pre-approved vehicle from Baraka gets you earning immediately while you sort out repairs.

Is a hybrid car better for Uber?

Significantly. Hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Corolla and Camry Hybrid achieve 4–5L/100km versus 7–9L/100km for petrol equivalents. Over a full-time driving week, that's $80–$120 saved in fuel — money that goes directly to your bottom line.

Contact Baraka Car Rentals

Ready to start driving? Our entire fleet meets every Uber requirement listed above. Call or visit us:

• Phone: 0461 555 511
• Address: 16 Ishtar Street, Tarneit VIC 3029
• Hours: 8AM–10PM, 7 days
• Service areas: Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Point Cook, Truganina, and all Melbourne