Driving with Lyft is a flexible way to earn part-time or full-time income.
If you’re interested in driving for Lyft, these are the resources at RidesharingDriver.com that will help you understand the job and get started as a driver.
Getting started as a driver: Steps to drive for Lyft
Learn the Lyft driver requirements and see all of the steps you’ll need to take to get started.
- Lyft driver requirements: Do you qualify?
- A look inside the Lyft background check
- How to get your vehicle inspected for Lyft
- Rejected by Lyft: Can you reapply?
- Too young for Lyft: Other driving gigs to try
All about cars: Vehicle requirements and how to rent a car
Having a qualifying vehicle can be the biggest barrier to driving for Lyft. Learn the vehicle requirements, and how to rent a qualifying car.
- Lyft vehicle requirements
- How to rent a car for Lyft: Express Drive review
- Other rideshare rental options
Life as a Lyft driver: Driving strategies, app features, and how to earn more
Once you get started as a Lyft driver, it might feel like you’re being thrown into the deep end.
Here’s how you can make the most of your time on the road, and how to get help when things go wrong.
- How drivers can contact Lyft
- $1000 per week! See amazing Lyft driver pay
- How Priority Mode works
- Lyft Streaks: How they work, and how to get more
- A guide to every Lyft bonus for drivers
- The best gas rewards for Lyft drivers
- Get more scheduled rides with the Skeddy app
- What is Lyft delivery? Is it worth it for drivers?
- Don’t make these tax mistakes!
What is Lyft like for passengers?
To be the best driver that you can be, you need to understand how Lyft works for your passengers.
Learn about the different Lyft ride types, and strategies that customers use to optimize their Lyft experience.
- What are the differences between the Lyft ride types?
- How much does Lyft cost? How pricing works
- Overcharged by Lyft? What to do
- How to do round trips and multiple stops on a Lyft ride
- Lyft promo codes for existing users? How to save
Lyft Driver FAQ
How much can you make driving with Lyft?
Ridesharing drivers can expect to make around $15—$25 per hour, on average. Check out the latest income data from the top resources.
How do I get started as a driver?
Your first step is to apply. Lyft will ask you to enter basic personal information and consent to a background screening.
While you wait for background screening, you can upload your registration, license, and insurance documents.
You can sign on and drive after Lyft accepts your documents and clears your background screening.
How does auto insurance work?
Lyft offers a ($1,000,000) liability policy, and a high-deductible ($2500) contingent collision insurance policy. You will also need to show Lyft that you’re covered by a personal auto insurance policy.
Does Lyft reimburse me for any of my costs, like gas?
No, Lyft does not reimburse you for any expenses. You must pay for your own gas, maintenance, personal insurance, and any other expenses.
As an independent contractor, you can write off some of your expenses to reduce your taxable income.
The application is taking a long time. What should I do?
If more than 10 days have passed since you began the background screening, contact Lyft and ask for an update.
Michael says
I am a Permanent Resident and not a U.S. Citizen so my drivers license states limited term even though it is current for 4 years and it is just listed on there because they can’t renew the drivers license for longer than the residency. Lyft will not accept this even though they do not state any where in their terms that you must be U.S. citizen.
I am in Alabama and have held a current drivers license for 13 consecutive years with nothing but 2 speeding tickets that whole time.
Has anyone else experienced this or have any suggestions?
DougH says
So Lyft is specifically saying you don’t meet the licensing requirement? Or is it something else? To my knowledge, you will qualify for Uber if you have an SSN, and I thought the case should be the same for Lyft.
Lawrence Telega says
Still need for Lyft to communicate with me. This is 4th message. I couldn’t drive until repairs are fixed and now that they are I Cant get back online what do I do?
DougH says
If you haven’t already, upload the new inspection form to your dashboard online. If it’s about an accident, you’ll need to contact Lyft at help.lyft.com and scroll to the pink contact button. You may have already done that, but it’s the only way to get in touch with them for an issue like this.
Esther Gordon says
If a second customer is taken in the car how is the fare divided?
DougH says
Only the passenger who requested the ride pays, unless that passenger chooses to split the cost with someone else. The amount the driver is not dependent on the number of passengers.
Jill says
If you feel uncomfortable riding by yourself, can you have a friend or a spouse ride with you?
DougH says
No, Uber does not allow that. I recommend driving during the daytime to get comfortable with the job. Then slowly start working night hours. Many drivers, even veterans, won’t drive after a certain time of night.
Cedrick says
I’m a smoker. I know that I can’t smoke while a passenger is in the car with me but if my car has a smoke smell in it, does that disqualify me from driving for Lyft?
DougH says
That won’t disqualify you. But it could lead to low ratings. I’ve been in plenty of Ubers and Lyfts that smelled like smoke and it doesn’t bother me, but it does bother some people.
Maurice Ingram says
What do I need to do to add my wife as a driver? We are driving the same car. Will she have to fill out the same information as me?
DougH says
Your wife will have to do the application process in the same way that you did. She will have her own account. Both of you can have the same car on your accounts.
Nicole Wolff says
Does my name HAVE to be on the insurance?My vehicle is registered in my name but my boyfriend pays the insurance so only his name is on the policy! It was his car originally but then he gave it to me as a gift and we didn’t think that we needed to do anything about the insurance since he still pays it and we live together and such
DougH says
Yes, your name has to be somewhere on the policy.
Stacey says
So if my dad is the owner of the car and his name is on the insurance, I can’t drive for Lyft?
DougH says
That’s right. Your name needs to be on the insurance, but it doesn’t matter who owns the car.