How to apply for a driving job at Lyft

Be your own boss. Decide where and when you want to work. Driving for Lyft has a lot of perks — from making your own schedule to meeting new people — all while earning reliable cash.

Important note: Lyft has an applicant waitlist

As of March 2020, new driver applicants are automatically added to Lyft’s waitlist. The #Coronavirus pandemic has prompted a decline in rideshare demand, and by placing new applicants on a waitlist, it helps protect the earning opportunities of current Lyft drivers.

The hold status on your #application will be removed once additional spots for new drivers open up in your location. It is difficult to say how long an applicant will be on the waitlist but Lyft will send you a notification as soon as a spot opens up. Once there is an opening, you’ll be able to complete all necessary application steps.

Age Requirements

All drivers are required to be at least 25 years old to drive in any state in the US. The exception is New York City where all drivers must have a TLC Driver's License issued by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and must be at least 19 years old to get a TLC license to drive.

Driving History

In the following states, you are required to have at least one year of licensed driving experience in the United States:

• California
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Vermont
• Washington

Lyft currently does not accept identification from Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or other U.S. territories to establish driving history.

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) / Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) check

Potential U.S. drivers must undergo a driving record check. Lyft may disqualify any applicant whose driving record reveals:

• More than three moving violations in the past three years (such as accidents or traffic light violations)
• A single major moving violation in the past three years (such as driving on a suspended license or reckless driving)
• A DUI or other drug-related driving violation in the past seven years, or longer in some jurisdictions
• A serious driving-related conviction in the past seven years (such as a hit-and-run or a felony involving a vehicle)
• After the initial check, Lyft enrolls all active drivers in continuous monitoring of DMV records, which notifies Lyft of new violations and citations

If your DMV/RMV check reveals potentially disqualifying information, you will receive a copy of the report via email along with instructions on how to dispute the results. Lyft can disqualify a driver at any time, if their driving record reveals any disqualifying information or for any safety-related reason.

Background Check

As part of your onboarding, Lyft conducts a criminal background check. Potential drivers must provide a valid social security number in order to undergo the criminal background check — this background check searches:

• national and county-level databases, as well as local courthouse records, for convictions
• United States Department of Justice Sex Offender Registry and the Federal Criminal Records database

You may be ineligible to drive on the Lyft platform if, at the time of your application, you have any of the following on your record:

• listed on the National Sex Offender Registry database
• have been convicted at any time of a disqualifying violent crime (such as homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, arson, burglary, carjacking, robbery, or aggravated assault)
• have been convicted at any time of a sexual offense (such as rape, sexual assault, or child pornography)
• have been convicted at any time of an act of terror
• have been convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the past seven years, or longer in some jurisdictions
• have been convicted of a disqualifying fraud-related offense in the past seven years for most jurisdictions, although this time frame may be longer, or shorter, in certain jurisdictions
• have been convicted of a disqualifying drug-related offense in the past seven years for most jurisdictions, although this time frame may be longer, or shorter, in certain jurisdictions
• have been convicted of a disqualifying theft or property damage offense in the past seven years for most jurisdictions, although this time frame may be longer, or shorter, in certain jurisdictions

Other things to keep in mind about background checks

• Typically, background check results will be available within 2-4 days. However, county level checks are subject to the availability of records from county courthouses. Some of these courts lack electronic records access, are understaffed, or are closed because of #Coronavirus, which can significantly delay background checks (up to several weeks to complete.)

• Lyft requires an up-to-date background check to remain on the platform. After onboarding, Lyft enrolls all active drivers in continuous monitoring of criminal records, which notifies Lyft of new pending criminal charges or convictions.

• Please be aware that in New York City, DMV and criminal background checks are conducted by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) according to their licensing standards, not by Lyft.

• Lyft reserves the right to disqualify a driver at any time, in compliance with applicable law, should their background check reveal any disqualifying offense or for any other safety-related reason.

Community Safety Education program

• All Lyft drivers are required to complete this program in order to start driving.
• This program empowers drivers to handle challenging passenger situations and create a safe and comfortable ride for everyone.
• Lyft developed this program in partnership with RAINN, the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the US.

Vehicle standards

Your vehicle must meet the list of Lyft standards as well as all local government standards. Be certain your vehicle meets any and all city or state requirements. If your vehicle needs an inspection, visit your state’s information page to find your inspection form and a nearby mechanic.

Other Lyft standards to keep in mind if you want to drive your vehicle

• Vehicle age
  Before applying to drive or moving to a new city, visit driver application requirements to find your new city or state and its minimum vehicle age requirement.

• Doors and seatbelts
  All Lyft vehicles are required to have 4 doors. Vehicles are required to have a minimum of 5 seatbelts (including the driver's), with a maximum of 8 seatbelts.

• Rental vehicles
  You can still drive for Lyft if you don’t own your vehicle. Lyft’s Express Drive program helps you rent a car so you can start driving. Rental vehicles must be rented through the Express Drive program to be approved for use on the Lyft platform.

• Subcompact vehicles
  Lyft does not accept certain subcompact vehicles.

Driver license, license plates, and insurance

What you need to drive for Lyft

• Current and valid driver’s license
• Valid plates with current registration (commercial plates are also acceptable)
• Current valid insurance with your name on the policy

Some cities and states require drivers to have in-state documents

• If you’re a new driver, visit Lyft’s Driver application requirements for the full list
• If you’re already approved to drive, find your city and state driver information for required documents

Mobile device requirements

• Driving for Lyft requires that you have a cellular connection
• Use iOS 11 and Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher
• For the smoothest experience with the Lyft Driver app, Android users should run Android 7.0+. Older software may interfere with your ability to give and receive rides
• If your phone can’t use its latest operating system, the app may not work properly

Where to apply

Ready to drive? Create a Lyft account through the mobile app or at lyft.com/drivers.

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