Delivering alcohol
Alcohol deliveries work differently to regular deliveries. This is because the law prohibits the sale of alcohol or tobacco to anyone under 18 years old. It’s also against the law to sell alcohol to anyone who is intoxicated. Please see Uber’s Community Guidelines for more information.
The Driver app will lead the courier through the steps to complete an alcohol delivery. Please note that all deliveries are contact-free so remember to maintain a safe distance from the customer at all times.
Follow important steps
Step 1. Check sobriety Make sure that the customer is not intoxicated. Common signs of intoxication include:
Impaired speech e.g. slurring or incoherent speech Loss of coordination e.g. stumbling Aggression and rude behaviour If the courier suspects intoxication, please select ‘Intoxicated’ in the Driver app and politely let the customer know that you cannot complete the delivery.
Bring your phone
Step 2 - Request ID and check identity Please request a valid, government-issued photo ID from the customer. The identification should include the customer’s photo, date of birth and either a holographic mark or an ultraviolet feature. Examples include:
- Driving licence
- Passport
- National identity card
Please check that the person to whom you’re handing the alcohol or tobacco matches the photo of the person on the ID.
If the customer does not produce a valid ID or does not match the picture on the ID, please select “No Valid ID” in your Driver app and politely let the customer know that you cannot complete the delivery.
Use your best judgment
Step 3 - Enter the customer’s date of birth. Using the ID provided by the customer, add their date of birth where indicated in your Driver app to verify that they are 18 or older.
If the customer is not 18 or older, please select ‘No Valid ID’ in your app and politely let the customer know that you cannot complete the delivery.
Remain polite and professional
Step 4: Complete the trip Hand the customer their order and complete the trip. If you have any concerns about the person’s age, the validity of the ID, or sobriety of the customer, do not complete the delivery. Please mark the reason in your Driver app, and the app will automatically route you back to the restaurant or store to return the alcohol or tobacco. Don’t worry, you’ll still receive a fare for the distance travelled.
Follow local laws and regulations
You’re required to follow all laws and regulations in your city, including road safety and alcohol laws. This reminder is a legal and regulatory requirement, and not instructions or guidance by Uber.
Questions from couriers
- How do couriers recognise a valid ID?
Couriers should request a valid, government-issued photo ID from the customer. The identification should include the customer's photo, date of birth and either a holographic mark or an ultraviolet feature. Couriers can perform certain checks to verify the ID is valid:
- Check the ID’s expiration date to ensure it hasn’t expired.
- Check that the person to whom you’re handing the alcohol or tobacco matches the photo of the person on the ID.
- Additionally, you can check that the ID has smooth edges and an even surface.
- What couriers should do If they I suspect a fake id?
If couriers have any doubts about the validity of the ID, the recipient’s age, or their sobriety, they can decline delivery and explain to the recipient that you can't deliver alcohol or tobacco to anyone who looks underage, appears intoxicated, or can't provide acceptable ID. If they have additional questions, they can contact Support in the app.
- What should couriers do with undelivered alcohol?
If couriers are unable to complete the delivery, they can indicate the reason in your Driver app. The app will route them back to the restaurant or store to return the alcohol on the customer’s behalf. The fee will include payment for the entire trip (including going back to the restaurant or store).
- How should couriers deal with alcohol container that breaks during a delivery?
Couriers can end the trip in your Driver app and indicate the reason as “Item damaged”. The app will then prompt them to call the restaurant or store to report the breakage. The app will prompt them to return the entire order (damaged and undamaged items) to the restaurant or store on the customer’s behalf. Couriers won’t be charged for damaged items. They may let the customer know that they will not be charged for the damaged order and that they may reorder through the Uber Eats app. The fee will include payment for the entire trip (including going back to the restaurant or store).
- If couriers have to refuse an alcohol delivery, will it affect the rating or completion rate?
As long as couriers return the alcohol to the restaurant or store, their rating will not be affected if they are unable to complete a delivery due to the customer not having a valid ID, being underage, or being intoxicated. Once they return the alcohol or tobacco, the trip will be considered completed. Couriers will be compensated for both the original and return portions of the trip.
- Do couriers need to bring my ID to the restaurant or store?
Yes, we recommend couriers have their ID with them when they go into the restaurant or store. The restaurant or store may want to verify that they are at least 18 years old and that your name matches the name of the courier for the order on their dashboard.
- Can couriers opt out of delivering alcohol?
Delivering alcohol is optional and will not affect couriers ability to receive food delivery requests via the Uber Eats app. If couriers no longer wish to deliver alcohol for any reason, they can opt out at any time by contacting our Support team at help.uber.com.
Deliver your way in the app
Deliver your way in the app
The material provided on this web page is intended for informational purposes only and may not be applicable in your country, region, or city. It is subject to change and may be updated without notice.
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