Arizona has some of the harshest laws for driving under the influence (DUI) in all of America. However, the legal consequences of a DUI conviction are not the only ways you can get punished: You can also get punished by private companies and agencies that frown upon drunk driving and take it upon themselves to punish you as well. These are called collateral consequences.

One of the many collateral consequences of being convicted for DUI is that you might not be able to drive for a ridesharing company like Uber or Lyft because of your conviction. These companies run background checks on potential drivers before hiring them, which can prevent drivers with a DUI conviction from using their app to get riders. However, the exact requirements that ridesharing companies hold for interested drivers depends on the company, and even the state you're applying to drive in.

A DUI Conviction Can Keep You from Driving With Uber

Driving with Uber has become an almost infamous way of making some extra money on the side in your free time. However, Uber will not let you drive for them if you don't pass their background check.

Uber's background check focuses on blemishes on your driving record, and takes a few days to complete. In Arizona, you'll pass Uber's background check if, in the past 7 years, you haven't had any of the following: 

• A fatal accident;
• Any instances of reckless driving;
• An incident of driving without your license or without insurance; or
• A DUI, whether for alcohol or drugs.

Additionally, certain criminal convictions can also prevent you from passing Uber's background check. These usually involve violence, drugs, or fraud.

Lyft Also Refuses to Hire Drivers with Past DUI Convictions

Lyft, the other major ridesharing company that operates in Arizona, also conducts a background check on its drivers that can prevent you from driving with them if you've been convicted for drunk driving.

Lyft's background check takes between 3 and 10 days. Some of the things that will prevent you from working with Lyft in Arizona are:

• A DUI or drug-related driving offense in the last 7 years;
• A serious moving violation, like hit-and-run or a driving felony, in the last 7 years;
• Major moving violations, like reckless driving, in the last 3 years; and
• More than 3 total moving violations in the last 3 years.

Arizona Criminal Traffic Attorneys Protect Your Rights 

Getting convicted for drunk driving in Arizona leads to thousands of dollars in fines, months without your driver's license, and can even lead to jail time. However, the consequences don't stop there. Collateral consequences like the new blemish on your driving record can make it more difficult to earn a living by, for example, preventing you from driving with ridesharing companies in Arizona.

This makes it even more important to have an effective attorney protecting your driving rights in court. Contact the lawyers at the Arizona Criminal Traffic law office today: (888) 202-9222 or online.