Uber Tightens Background Checks in the U.S.: What Does This Mean for South Florida Drivers?

On June 29, Uber implemented a significant overhaul of its safety protocols, introducing new nationwide criminal background checks. These will be uniformly applied to both new and existing drivers and delivery personnel, with a particularly notable impact expected in South Florida.

Previously, the verification process had structural flaws. A 2025 investigation by The New York Times revealed that in 35 states, checks only covered the applicant's last seven years of residence, potentially missing crimes committed elsewhere.

Even more concerning was that in 22 states, Uber allowed drivers with convictions for a variety of offenses—such as violent crimes, child abuse, assault, and stalking—to continue operating if those convictions were over seven years old.

Changes in Uber's Safety Policies

Under the revamped policy, Uber will conduct background checks extending up to 99 years, linked to the driver's Social Security number and cross-referenced with court records from all jurisdictions where they have lived. Existing drivers will undergo these checks during their annual reviews. This policy also applies to Uber Eats couriers.

The list of offenses leading to permanent disqualification has been significantly expanded. In addition to existing bans for murder, kidnapping, terrorism, and sexual offenses, new exclusions include armed robbery, aggravated assault, arson, child abuse and neglect, persistent harassment, and strangulation.

According to Uber, drivers with any history of violent crimes, sexual offenses, stalking, or strangulation will be excluded from the platform indefinitely.

Uber consulted with leaders from civil rights and women's safety organizations to update these criteria. However, an exception is made for about 2,000 long-serving drivers, who may retain access if their convictions are over 15 years old, do not involve sexual offenses, and no severe incidents have occurred during their tenure on the platform.

The Weight of Legal Challenges

The timing of this announcement is not coincidental. Uber is currently facing over 3,000 consolidated lawsuits in federal courts related to alleged sexual assaults by drivers. In February, a Phoenix jury ordered the company to pay $8.5 million for failing to prevent a sexual assault committed by one of its drivers, according to Bloomberg.

Between 2017 and 2022, Uber received over 400,000 reports of sexual assault or inappropriate conduct in the U.S., far exceeding the 12,522 severe cases the company publicly disclosed.

Implications for South Florida

For the Cuban and Latin American communities in South Florida, where thousands of residents rely on Uber for primary or supplemental income, these changes bring uncertainty. Cities like Miami, Hialeah, Doral, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach have a high concentration of digital platform drivers.

The region is a major hub for Uber activity due to the constant traffic at Miami International Airport, the Port of Miami, and Port Everglades.

The urgency of these measures is underscored by local incidents. In June of this year, Cuban driver Yusel Pérez Leyva, 42, was arrested in Doral for allegedly kidnapping and sexually assaulting a passenger picked up in Miami Beach. Similarly, in March 2025, another Cuban driver, Yaroslandys Elozegui Romero, 35, was detained for coercing a client into sexual acts on the SR 826 highway.

While Uber has not disclosed how many drivers in Florida might be affected, the company maintains that over 99.9% of rides conclude without safety incidents. Uber continues to strengthen its screening processes to meet the demands of users, authorities, and regulators.