Airport regulations
Per airport regulations, driver-partners must adhere to the terms below. Failure to do so may result in the receipt of a citation or even restriction of access to airport trips. Please note that Uber will not pay for any citations that driver-partners may incur.
- When on airport property, the Uber driver app must be open at all times (driver-partners must not go offline until exiting the airport area)
- Driver-partners may wait for requests in the designated waiting area (TNC Holding Lot)
- Driver-partners waiting elsewhere will not receive trip requests through the Uber driver app
- Entering restricted construction areas for dropoffs or any other reason is prohibited at all times
- The Uber vehicle decal (trade dress) must always be displayed on the front passenger windshield and rear passenger windshield facing outward. Driver-partners can obtain this Uber decal by filling out this form to receive one by mail.
Pro tips
- Driver cancellations: Trip cancellations can take away from the great Uber experience that both riders and driver-partners expect. Please remember that driver-partners who improperly use the app and intentionally disrupt the service, including excessively canceling rides or asking riders to cancel rides, may lose the ability to receive trip requests to and from the airport through the Uber Driver app.
- Ground transportation: Airport rules are as important as traffic rules. Airports expect driver-partners to follow the instructions of the airport staff.
Accessibility accommodations
Riders who require an accessibility accommodation will be able to request a curbside pickup through the Uber app. If riders select the “Accessible Pickup” point for either the East or West side of the terminal, meet them curbside on Level 5. Additionally, if your rider calls, messages, or informs you of the need for a curbside pickup or dropoff due to an accessibility need, you are permitted to meet your rider curbside on Level 5.
Pickups at the airport
It is easy to receive trip requests from riders leaving Denver International Airport. However, these trips work a little differently than other requests.
Waiting for requests
In order to receive trip requests while at DEN, you need to enter the designated queue zone (TNC Holding Lot). You will then be placed in a virtual queue to receive a trip request.
Some things to know about designated queue zones:
- Proximity to the terminal within the designated driver queue zone does not create an advantage for driver-partners or move you closer to the top of the queue
- If there are no driver-partners in the designated queue zone, trip requests will go to Uber driver-partners in the area - outside of the designated driver queue zone—based on proximity and other factors
You can lose your place in line if:
- You go offline on your Uber driver app while in the driver queue zone
- You drive outside the designated driver queue zone
- You do not accept multiple incoming trip requests in a row
- You cancel multiple rides (if the rider cancels, you will remain in the queue)
Picking up your rider
Once you accept a trip request, the pickup location at the airport is located on the 5th level, on island 5 starting just past the Crew Shuttle pickup location.
Approaching the Terminal
When approaching the Terminal, DEN requires that you follow the Commercial Vehicles lane. Press the button at the gate for help if needed.
Stay in the left lane and proceed to Island 5. Follow signs “Ride App Pick-up.”
Passenger waiting areas are located between doors 512 and 500 on the West, and 505 and 517 on the East.
Exiting the Terminal
When exiting the East terminal, at the south end there are two exit lanes. The left lane exits the terminal, and the right lane will loop around to the West side of the terminal. Remember, traffic to your right has the right of way when exiting island 5.
When exiting the West terminal, there are two exits lanes at the northern end. The left lane exits the terminal and the right lane loops around to the east side of the terminal. Remember, traffic to your right has the right of way when exiting island 5.
Rematch at DEN
Rematch means you can drop off at the airport, and pick up without having to return to the Airport staging lot, so you spend less time waiting and more time earning. This feature is only available for a short window after completing a dropoff at the airport, and will help reduce traffic and your idle time.
Pre-Match at DEN
Pre-Match is live at DEN airport. Pre-Match is an in-app feature that prompts drivers in the staging lot to begin heading towards the airport terminal a few minutes before we anticipate a pickup request. This should reduce idle wait time ahead of picking up your rider.
Dropoffs at the airport
Riders can be dropped off curbside on the 5th level (Commercial Ground Transportation Level). Please continue straight when entering level 5 and follow the “Passenger Drop off” signs. DEN officials may issue a citation for pickups that occur on the 1st curb.
The gates are on the way to the terminal area. DEN staff will be present to control access. Ensure your TNC trade dress is visible from your windshield.
Approaching the Terminal
When approaching the Terminal, DEN requires that you follow the Commercial Vehicles lane. Press the button at the gate for help if needed.
Exiting the Terminal
When exiting the East terminal, at the south end there are two exit lanes. The left lane exits the terminal and the right lane loops around to the west side of the terminal.
When exiting the West terminal, at the north end there are two exit lanes. The left lane exits the terminal and the right lane loops around to the east side of the terminal. Remember, traffic to your right has the right of way when exiting island 5.
Re-Match feature
We’ve also launched the Re-Match feature at the airport. To qualify for Re-Match, driver-partners must first complete a dropoff at the airport. Re-Match then allows any driver-partner who just completed an airport dropoff to temporarily receive a pickup request without having to go to the waiting lot. Once you drop off at the airport, if you wish, you can head toward the TNC waiting area to wait in the FIFO queue for an airport request. Upon navigation to the waiting lot, you may receive a Re-Match request. Airport regulations prohibit loitering in the terminal area. Idling at the curb may result in a citation from airport authorities.
Staging information
The TNC staging area is located in the commercial holding lot. In order to receive a trip request from DEN, drivers must wait in the Uber waiting lot (see map). You will be placed in a virtual queue where the first driver to enter will be the first to receive a trip request.
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