Before you can drive for Lyft, you must complete a free background screening that looks at your criminal history and driving record.
The background check typically takes around 2–10 days. If you meet Lyft’s criteria, you’re ready to drive!
Will you pass the background check? Check the criteria below to see. All sources are from Lyft and verified reader reports.
What you need to know about the Lyft background check
- All Lyft driver applicants must undergo a background screening
- You must provide your social security number and consent to the screening and
- Lyft uses Checkr for the criminal background check and Safety Holdings Inc. for the DMV check
- The criminal screening looks back a minimum of 7 years (Varies in some jurisdictions)
- The background check process typically takes around 2–10 days
- Lyft will let you know if you are accepted or rejected
- Lyft also does continuous background monitoring to check for new violations
Running into delays with your background check? Visit the Checkr applicant portal for updates and contact Lyft & to ask for an update.
Want to drive for Lyft? Click here to apply
How to begin the Lyft background check
During the application process, a popup in the Lyft driver app will prompt you to read background check disclosures and consent to a background screening.
Authorize the background screening the begin the process.
If you don’t get a prompt to begin the background check, go to Menu > Account > Documents and look for Background Check in the To-Do list at the top of the page.
Tap the prompt to begin background screening
Depending on your state, you will see different disclosures
After you authorize the background screening, you will get an email from Checkr Background Services letting you know that your background check is in progress.
The email from Checkr will also give you an estimated completion date and a link to the Checkr applicant portal.
Lyft typically estimates that your background check will take 3–8 days, but the actual length can vary.
Lyft reviews your records after Checkr completes your background check. The time it takes to review your records is unpredictable. It can take less than a day, but it usually takes a few days.
It may take Lyft a few days to review your records complete the background check process
How to check the status of your background check
Go to the Checkr applicant portal to get updates on your background check. The portal can also let you know if Checkr needs any further information for you.
You can also check the Lyft driver app for updates. You will get a notification when your background check is complete.
How far back does the background check look?
Local laws and Lyft policy determine the exact number of years that the Lyft background check can look back.
Lyft states that they look back seven years for certain criminal convictions. But there is no stated time frame for other major offenses.
For the driving record check, Lyft looks back three years for minor violations and seven years for major violations.
You can be disqualified for some major issues in criminal history, even if they were more than seven years ago.
Generally, your chances of getting accepted as a driver increase if issues on your record happened 7 or more years ago.
Background check delays! How long is it supposed to take?
Background check in progress for more than a few days? Check the status and contact Lyft
Most Lyft drivers report that the background check takes 2–10 days. Courthouse delays and complications with your records can extend the process.
It’s common to run into delays if you recently moved to a new state or recently updated your driver’s license.
If you’re already an active driver, background check refreshes typically don’t take as long as the initial background check for new drivers.
If you think your background check is taking too long, you can visit the Checkr applicant portal to check the status.
You can also contact Lyft and ask for updates and ask if you need to do anything to move the process along.
Typically there’s not much you can do to make your background check faster, but you might be able to speed up the process by checking up with Checkr and Lyft.
Criminal background check requirements & disqualifiers
After you consent to background screening, Lyft will examine your criminal history to see if you qualify to drive.
You may be disqualified if you:
- Are listed on the National Sex Offender Registry database
- Have been convicted of the following:
- A disqualifying violent crime (such as homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, arson, burglary, carjacking, robbery, or aggravated assault)
- A sexual offense (such as rape, sexual assault, or child pornography)
An act of terror - Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the past seven years (time frame may vary based on regional jurisdictions)
- A disqualifying fraud-related offense in the past seven years (time frame may vary based on regional jurisdictions)
- A disqualifying drug-related offense in the past seven years (time frame may vary based on regional jurisdictions)
- A disqualifying theft or property damage offense in the past seven years (time frame may vary based on regional jurisdictions)
Source: Lyft.com
Driving record requirements & disqualifiers
During background screening, Lyft will review your motor vehicle record (MVR). Safety Holdings Inc performs the driving record check.
You may be ineligible to drive if your driving record has:
- Four or more 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 (time frame may vary based on regional jurisdictions
- A serious driving-related conviction in the past seven years (such as a hit-and-run or a felony involving a vehicle)
License history requirements
All drivers must have a valid driver’s license. Some states require an in-state license, while others accept out-of-state licenses.
Check this page at Lyft.com for the exact requirements for your city and state.
Lyft requires that drivers have at least one full year of licensed driving experience in:
- California
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Vermont
The license history does not need to occur in the state you are driving in, but your record must show at least one full year of license history.
Lyft might also ask you to send more information and documents if they have trouble verifying your license history.
Lyft does continuous background monitoring for active drivers
Lyft may ask you to enroll in more background monitoring
You may get a notice from Lyft letting you know that further background monitoring is required.
Here’s why: To ensure that active drivers continue to meet their background standards, Lyft asks drivers to consent to ‘continuous monitoring.’
You can be deactivated if Lyft finds that you have new disqualifying issues on your records.
Continuous monitoring means that Lyft regularly receives updated criminal and driving records reports that can notify Lyft of any new violations.
It also means that Lyft may ask you to re-consent to updated background screening. You may get a notification that says “You must red and authorize a background check to continue driving” even if you’ve already consented in the past.
You may have to occasionally re-authorize your consent to background checks
Background check shows issues? You can be deactivated at any time
You can be rejected if your background check or driving record check reveals any disqualifying offense.
And if you’re currently a driver, you can be deactivated if an updated background check reveals any issues.
Here’s what Lyft says: “Lyft reserves the right to disqualify a driver at any time, should their background check reveal any disqualifying offense.”
“Lyft reserves the right to disqualify a driver at any time, in compliance with applicable law, should their driving record reveal any disqualifying information or for any other safety-related reason.”
Some cities and states have different background standards
Local regulations may require different background screening standards or a different screening process.
Head to this Lyft page and scroll to the list of states to find a link to more information about the specific requirements in your state.
What to do if there is inaccurate or incomplete info on your records
If there is incorrect information on the reports, you can contact Checkr or Safety Holdings Inc. to begin the process of correcting the info.
Lyft cannot amend or correct your records.
More information about Lyft requirements
Pending criminal issues may count against you
Some pending legal issues may appear on background checks, and Lyft can count those issues against you during the screening process.
You will likely be rejected if the pending issue violates any of their standards.
Rejected due to your background? How to reapply
Lyft does not offer any official way to reapply after being rejected due to your background, but you can try unofficial methods.
After 3–6 months have passed since your rejection, you can try to contact Lyft and ask to reapply. Depending on the reason you were rejected, you may be able to get Lyft to reconsider your application.
Will you pass the Lyft background check?
The only way to know if you will pass the Lyft background check is to apply and wait for Lyft’s decision. The application and background screening is free, so there’s no harm in trying.
If you have issues on your record and want to see if you might be rejected, you can apply to a delivery app like DoorDash, or other delivery apps.
DoorDash and the other delivery apps have similar background standards as Lyft. So if DoorDash accepts you, there’s a strong chance that Lyft will too.
Vanessa Pina says
I drove with out insurance in 2014, and in summer 2015 I got a ticket for a suspended license (that I didn’t know I had). Anyway that was all about 3 years ago more or less. Would I be rejected? It has all been fixed and haven’t had ANY violations since…
DougH says
Both of those are considered major violations, and they were in the last 5 years or so. Your chances aren’t great, but you can still try
Ernesto says
Im going through my yearly background check, my payments are on hold do to this background check, I had emailed Lyft several times but they keep telling me that I have to wait for the third party that is performing the background check . Can someone tell me what to do? I can’t be waiting for the money that I rightfully earned. If my background check were to fail, would i get paid the money i worked for during the wait?
DougH says
You will get the money even if you failed the background check. Your payments should not be on hold. Try to contact Lyft and focus on the payments that are on hold, or at least get an explanation why those payments are on hold and I can update this page to let other drivers know this can happen.
Joe says
I was in accident month ago. I wasn’t using lyft but know they will check my driving record yearly. Will I be denied or no. I haven’t had any tickets just that one accident. I was in a accident last year but that wasn’t my fault. One that happen month ago was. That’s two violations in the past three years. Two accidents no tickets. Thanks. I started lyft in nov 16′. I would like to know if I would pass my yearly background check?
DougH says
I believe that two accidents still falls under their limit of 3 minor violations in 3 years.
Jane says
My son had a background check done by Sterling they said it was clean but Lyft claims he has been convicted of a felony, which he has not!! Lyft will not let him dispute it with them, they claim it’s Sterling’s fault. Sterling cannot help him because they say his report is clean. How do we get someone at Lyft to fix this mistake so it does not follow him around?
DougH says
If the report is indeed clean, you’ll have to contact Lyft and try to convince them to look again at the background check and to show them proof from Sterling that the report is clean.
TM says
My son has two misdemeanors related to marijuana possesion in the last two years. Will Lyft hire him?
DougH says
It’s possible he could drive, but also highly likely they’ll reject him. If he already has a qualifying car it doesn’t hurt to try.
james says
l had a felony drug charge in 2000 and another in 1982 u think they will show up
DougH says
The charges will show up but they may choose to ignore them because they were so long ago.
Liz says
I have a 16 year old felony theft charge that was pled down to a misdemeanor. What are my odds of passing? It was still shown on my background report for employment last year. I am purchasing a new vehicle after going several months without and the ability to use it in generating income will determine how much I spend.
DougH says
Try to apply to DoorDash or Postmates and see if you get accepted. Those are delivery apps with similar requirements. If they take you, Lyft and Uber probably will too.