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.
CarlosC says
Careless Driving vs Reckless Driving
I have only one ticket: Careless Driving. And Lyft sent me this message: “Based in whole or in part upon information contained in the driving history report, we are considering rejecting your application to be a driver on the Lyft platform. If we decide to reject your application, you will receive additional information in a separate email.”
Reckless is criminal (like a DUI) but Careless is just a traffic citation. Does anyone know if they reject an application even though it’s not a major moving violation?
jay says
I used to use the Express Drive when I drove for lyft. I stopped for a couple of months but would like to go back. Do they rerun a background check and driving record.
DougH says
They typically only re run it yearly. Stopping for a couple of months won’t deactivate your account, so things should be the same as you left them
Cindy says
I was denied to be a lyft driver and i don’t understand why. I work in law enforcement and have been for almost 20yrs at tbe same job and they do a world wide background check and finger printing. I don’t have any tickets or accidents and i have full coverage insurance. Now mind you, when my background came back, it said, based on my consumer report that i was denied. Now, how is it that i am denied because, i filed bankruptcy, something that is set in place for people to file to get a fresh start since its something i nreded to do after my divorce. I need to know, what does my consumer report had to do with my driving.
DougH says
Lyft does not do a credit check unless you are applying for a rental. Your credit shouldn’t affect a hiring decision. If you have any issues on your driving record, you were likely rejected for that
John says
I used to be a Lyft driver for the past few months then suddenly the app doesn’t allow me to go online because of an issue with the driving record. I got my abstract from my local DMV, and got same driving record from Lyft. Both abstracts shows that I have 0 points. I tried to contact Lyft by all means to understand what’s the issue with my driving record but I have failed to obtain any information. They only send me Lyft requirements to become a driver but they don’t provide me any information regarding to my situation or regarding to the issue I have. I have read those requirements and I still doesn’t see any conflict between the requirements and my driving record. Can you please let me know how can I resolve this? I have been in this issue for couple months now and cannot find a single phone # to call Lyft and find an answer. Your feedback will be appreciated. Thanks
DougH says
Unfortunately there’s no contact number. Your city may have a ‘hub,’ which you can find by google searching for ‘*your city* lyft hub’ or searching on help.lyft.com. You can also contact them at help.lyft.com, which it sounds like you’ve done. If you get a generic response that doesn’t answer your question, restate your question as a reply.
Noah says
I just got a new car and one of my auto insurance policy stipulations is that I not use the car for Ride-sharing like Lyft and Uber, Im gonna take a chance and apply for Lyft; my question is how does Lyft verify auto insurance? Will they call and make an inquiry and basically rat me out?
DougH says
No, Lyft will not contact your insurance company. But since your auto insurance specifically disqualifies rideshare, look into rideshare insurance options. They usually add around $20/month to your insurance cost. Google ‘your state + rideshare insurance’ and you should find some options.
Keith J says
Noah, I’d say look at it differently. You’re basically saying you’d drive if you could get away with even if your insurance wouldn’t cover you in a wreck while on the job with Lyft? How would you pay to repair your new car with no coverage for that incident? Most good insurance companies like State Farm now DO have an endorsement you can add to your policy to get uber/lyft coverage. This is new, wasn’t the case a few years ago. That’s good news. Why take a chance on it, do it the right way otherwise if you wrecked your car with no coverage on the job, you’d still be making payments on a scrap car. Just look into different insurance. : )
Vanessa says
What if Uber rejected me does this mean Lyft will also deny my application?
DougH says
It’s possible Lyft will also reject you, but you can try.
Carmen Woods says
I’ve applied to doordash, Uber, and postmates. I passed the background check for Door Dash, and Uber, but postmates said I failed. While lyft hire me?
DougH says
If those other companies hired you, it’s likely Lyft will too. But there’s no guarantee.