Can Uber Drivers Help You Buy Beer?

Uber drivers are legally allowed to take passengers to buy beer, as long as there are no open containers in the car. Uber drivers are bound by the same laws of the road as everyone else and don't get the exemptions that taxi drivers do. In Canada, Uber Eats offers alcohol delivery in select cities, but this is fully optional for delivery drivers.

Uber drivers can take you to buy beer, but you can't drink it in the car

Uber drivers can take you to buy beer, but there are a few important things to keep in mind. Firstly, while sealed and closed containers of alcohol are generally allowed in Ubers, open containers of alcohol are not permitted. This means that you cannot drink beer or any other alcoholic beverage while in the vehicle, as that would violate the law and Uber's community guidelines.

Uber drivers are bound by the same road laws as everyone else, and they don't get exemptions like taxi drivers sometimes do. So, if you're planning to buy beer, make sure it's sealed and closed, and don't open it until you've reached your destination. It's worth noting that taking up trunk space with beer during an UberPool ride is usually not allowed, as it's important to respect the space of other riders.

Additionally, Uber has strict policies regarding the delivery of alcohol through its Uber Eats service. Alcohol delivery is optional for drivers, and they reserve the right to opt-out of these requests at any time. When delivering alcohol, drivers are responsible for following local laws, which often include verifying the customer's age and sobriety. It is illegal to deliver alcohol to anyone who is underage or intoxicated, and proper identification is required.

While Uber drivers can transport you to buy beer, it's crucial to respect their vehicle and abide by the law. This means no open containers or consumption of alcohol during the ride. Remember to be considerate and follow any guidelines or requests made by the driver to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone involved.

Uber Eats delivers alcohol in select cities across Canada

Uber Eats now delivers alcohol in select cities across Canada. Alcohol delivery is fully optional for Uber Eats drivers, and opting in will not affect your ability to receive ordinary food delivery requests. If you no longer wish to deliver alcohol, you can opt out at any time by contacting Uber Support.

Alcohol deliveries differ from regular deliveries. Provincial laws require Uber Eats drivers to verify the customer's identity and age (either 18 or 19, depending on the province). Delivering alcohol to anyone without a valid government-issued photo ID showing they are above the legal drinking age for their province is against the law and could result in regulatory penalties. In all provinces except British Columbia, one valid government-issued photo ID is required. In British Columbia, one government-issued ID and a secondary piece of ID are required. The primary ID must show the customer's name, date of birth, and photo and be issued by a government agency. Acceptable forms of primary ID include a Canadian driver's licence, a passport, and a Canadian identity card. Secondary ID options for British Columbia include a university or college student card, credit card, Canadian Blood Services donor card, and a bank card.

Provincial law also requires that alcohol only be delivered to places where alcohol can be consumed, such as a private residence or an office. It is illegal to deliver alcohol to public places such as a park. Uber Eats drivers must also ensure that the customer is sober. Common signs of intoxication include staggering, poor reactions and coordination, slurred or mumbled speech, bloodshot eyes, and behaving in an overly bold or disruptive manner. If there is any concern that the customer may be intoxicated, the driver must mark this in the app and inform the customer that they cannot deliver the alcohol.

Uber drivers can refuse to deliver alcohol if the customer is underage or appears intoxicated

Provincial laws require Uber drivers to verify the customer's identity and age (either 18 or 19, depending on the province). Delivering alcohol to anyone without a valid government-issued photo ID showing that they are above the legal drinking age for their province or who appears intoxicated is against the law and can result in regulatory penalties. Uber drivers should look out for common signs of intoxication, such as staggering, poor reactions and coordination, slurred or mumbled speech, bloodshot eyes, or disruptive behaviour.

If an Uber driver has any concerns about the person's age or sobriety, they should not complete the delivery. The driver can cancel the trip, and the app will prompt them to return the alcohol to the restaurant or store. The driver will still receive their delivery fare for the entire trip, including the return journey.

It is important to note that Uber drivers are bound by the same laws of the road as everyone else. While there are varying laws depending on the state or province, generally, it is illegal to drive with an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. However, transporting sealed and closed alcohol is usually permitted, as long as it does not take up too much space or cause any mess.

Alcohol deliveries are different from regular deliveries

Firstly, provincial laws mandate that the customer's identity and age be verified to ensure they are above the legal drinking age, which varies between 18 and 19 years old in different provinces. A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, is required. In British Columbia, a secondary piece of ID is also necessary. The customer's name, date of birth, and photo must be displayed on the primary ID, and it must be issued by a government agency.

Secondly, alcohol can only be delivered to specific locations, typically private residences or offices, as per provincial law. It is illegal to deliver alcohol to public places such as parks. Uber drivers must also ensure that the recipient is sober and not intoxicated. If there are any concerns about the recipient's sobriety, the delivery cannot be completed, and the alcohol must be returned to the store or restaurant.

Additionally, the ID scanning feature is activated for all alcohol delivery orders. Drivers must scan the front and back of the customer's ID to confirm their age and identity. The process includes taking clear images of the ID, avoiding glare or shadows, and waiting for verification. If the verification fails or the customer does not have a valid ID, the delivery cannot be completed, and the alcohol must be returned.

Overall, alcohol deliveries with Uber involve stricter regulations, age verification, ID scanning, and specific delivery location restrictions to ensure compliance with provincial laws and promote responsible alcohol consumption. These measures differentiate alcohol deliveries from regular deliveries and help ensure the safe and legal distribution of alcohol.

Uber drivers can transport sealed alcoholic beverages

Uber drivers are bound by the same laws of the road as everyone else. There are no exemptions for Uber drivers as there may be for taxi drivers. Therefore, you cannot legally drive with an open container of alcohol in the car. However, you can transport sealed alcoholic beverages, and this is perfectly legal.

As long as the beer is sealed and not open, Uber drivers will typically have no problem transporting it. It is a good idea to greet the driver and ask permission, but most drivers will be fine with transporting sealed beer. This is because it is not against the law and is similar to transporting groceries.

In some locations, Uber Eats offers alcohol delivery. This service is available in select cities across Canada. However, it is important to note that alcohol delivery is optional for delivery people, and they can opt-out at any time. Delivery people are responsible for following local requirements for alcohol delivery, including verifying the customer's age and sobriety.

Frequently asked questions