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Driving at McCarran International Airport (LAS)

Airports can be complicated places, especially for drivers. But knowing the basics, and getting information in advance about your local airport, can help make sure you’re prepared for your first pickup or dropoff.

Rules and regulations

Airport regulations for Uber drivers

Per airport regulations, drivers 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 LAS-issued citations that drivers may incur. Per LAS regulations:

  • When on airport property, the Uber Driver app must be open at all times (drivers must not go offline until exiting the airport area)
  • We’ve instituted a special system where the first vehicle in is the first one out (FIFO) at Harry Reid International Airport. The FIFO system only works within the designated, geofenced area. Drivers waiting elsewhere will not receive trip requests through the Uber Driver app unless there are no drivers in the geofenced queue.
  • The Uber vehicle decal (trade dress) must always be displayed on the front passenger windshield facing outward. Drivers can obtain this Uber decal at their local Greenlight Hub or fill out this form to receive one by mail.
  • Soliciting passengers for trips on airport property or on behalf of any hotel, motel, dayclub, nightclub, etc. is not allowed at LAS.
  • LAS does not allow anyone to feed birds on airport property because it can cause disruptions to airport flight procedures.
  • If requested by LAS personnel, drivers must provide information confirming their business at LAS. This includes viewing the waybill in the app, a physical copy of the waybill or charter document, or any other method to validate the driver’s purpose for being on airport property.

The airport may issue citations to the driver’s vehicle for violating airport requirements. Drivers who accrue these infractions could face more serious consequences, including losing access to trips to and from LAS.

Pro tips

  • Driver cancellations: Trip cancellations can take away from the great Uber experience that both riders and drivers expect. Please remember that drivers 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 and airport security staff: Airport rules are as important as traffic rules. Airports expect drivers to follow the instructions of the airport staff.
  • Accessing your waybill: You may be asked to show your waybill. To access it, tap the “info” button that appears in your app.
  • TNC Driver Manual: LAS Airport has a TNC Driver Manual with all its rules and regulations. You may want to familiarize yourself with these rules to avoid citations.
  • In addition to holding a Nevada State Business License, to comply with Clark County regulations, drivers must hold a Clark County business license at all times while operating within the County. Drivers must display the laminated business license card on the lower passenger side of their vehicle’s front windshield. Drivers who are operating without a business license may receive citations or penalties from both airport and other local authorities. For more information regarding this process, please visit the Clark County website.

Read TNC Driver Manual

Pickups at the airport

How pickup requests work

It is easy to receive trip requests from riders leaving the Las Vegas airport. However, these trips work a little differently than other requests.

Waiting for requests

Uber’s technology uses a “first-in, first-out” (FIFO) queue. This means that, in order to receive a trip request, you need to enter the designated waiting area, located within a “FIFO zone.” You will then be placed in a virtual queue where the first driver to enter will be the first to receive a trip request.

Based on the operating agreement with the airport, the waiting area is located at the corner of Swenson St and Thomas Mack Dr, just east of Paradise Rd (see map below).

Some things to know about FIFO queues:

  • Proximity to the terminal within the FIFO zone does not create an advantage for drivers or move you closer to the top of the queue.
  • If there are no drivers in the FIFO zone, trip requests will go to Uber drivers in the area—outside of the FIFO zone—based on proximity and other factors.
    • You can lose your place in line if:
      • You go offline on your Uber Driver app
      • You drive outside the FIFO zone
      • You do not accept multiple incoming trip requests in a row
      • You cancel a ride (if the rider cancels, you will remain at the top of the queue)

Picking up your rider

Once you accept a trip request, the Terminal 1 pickup location is at LAS is located on Level 2, on the south side of the public parking garage, and Terminal 3 pickups on the valet level of the parking garage.

Dropoffs at the airport

How dropoff requests work

Based on the operating agreement with the airport, riders can be dropped off at their requested terminal on the departures level. If you’d like to receive a trip request afterward, you’ll need to keep the Uber Driver app on to maintain your place in the FIFO queue.

Uber staging lot at the airport

Uber drivers may wait for ride requests at the designated Staging Lot only. You will not receive an airport request outside of this lot (and may be issued a citation).

The designated T1/T3 Staging Lot has moved from the corner of Gus Giuffre Dr and Rent A Car Rd to the corner of Swenson St and Thomas Mack Dr, just east of Paradise Rd.

Keep in mind that: - You are automatically entered into the queue when entering the lot - The queue is “first in, first out.” The driver who has been in the Staging Lot longest will receive the next request - Your location in the lot will not affect the queue order - If you go offline or drive outside of the waiting zone for any reason you will lose your spot in the line - If a rider cancels on you, you will be placed at the front of the queue

In addition to holding a Nevada State Business License, to comply with Clark County regulations, drivers must hold a Clark County business license at all times while operating within the County. Drivers must display the laminated business license card on the lower passenger side of their vehicle’s front windshield. Drivers who are operating without a business license may receive citations or penalties from both airport and other local authorities.

For more information regarding this process, please visit the Clark County website.