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.
Bernadina M Naples says
I have this same issue, I did not get any notification that another background check was going to be done, they had just done this a year ago, I’ve been driving for lyft for over 6 years, I am a 5 star driver, I even carry additional rideshare insurance, and I haven’t been able to driver for over 3 weeks, I also carry a special license to transport students with special needs, which was just renewed in July and a criminal background check which completed In 2 days, why would lyft do this to us? As I’ve seen in the comments why deactivate us, if we have already been driving for them, and especially now during this covid mess, which delays this process, shouldn’t they let us continue to drive, until something is showing we are not able to drive?? I’m very disgusted by all this and very angry with lyft for not supporting us especially in this time..After all we do depend on this income are they that heartless???
DougH says
It is a terrible situation. I recommend trying to drive for Uber or these delivery apps. It’s similar work with similar pay. It’s always good to have a backup app to drive for because these companies can’t always be relied on.
Bruce says
Why does Lyft deactivate existing drivers during their routine annual background check without cause?! That is a presumption of guilt until proven innocent! It is now going on three weeks that I haven’t been able to drive because agencies like the DMV have been closed due to Covid 19! The DVM had temporarily suspended inspections and other in-person activities. So, why couldn’t Lyft postpone background checks of existing drivers until the DMV reopened unless they had actual cause to suspend a driver. Immediately after they shut me off, they started sending a slew of text messages about available streak bonuses which of course I could not pursue! How cruel!!! I have a clean record and a 5-star passenger rating! Disgusting! I keep getting nothing but scripted responses to my complaints!
DougH says
Yes, it’s a very frustrating practice. Both Lyft and Uber are taking a lot of heat for this issue but no changes have been made. In the mean time, try to drive for Uber or delivery apps.
Mylla says
Omg – it’s happening the same to me!
TPM says
I was rejected due to a misdemeanor of illegal use of a motor vehicle from 27 years ago.
I drove for Lyft a few years back with 5 Stars, stopped for a year and was just rejected
What recourse do I have?
DougH says
Unfortunately not much recourse if the background check is accurate. There’s nothing saying they can be OK with your record at one point and then change their minds later.
Gene says
My lift background check was completed and I was approved within 1 hour of submitting my application.
diane lesa says
Denied because of either my background or my driving record check it’s been 6 months I’d like to
Bryon Welch says
Ok here’s the deal i apply to drive for Lyft and was rejected do to my background check, but here’s the kicker when i went down the their office in Arlington Va to ask why was i rejected the young lady down there said i was probably rejected because something came up in my criminal background because my driving record was immaculate. she slip telling me my criminal background may have been the issue because no sooner she said that another woman working there came right over hearing her fellow workers comments to me and interjected “my criminal background has nothing to do with it but it was too late they let the cat out the bag, because no employer from my understanding can reject a person because of his past and yes i do have a criminal past thats 25 years ago and nothing at all within 7 years or 10 years all 25 years and better so why is Lyft giving me this hassle especially since i have not been in trouble with the law in over 25 years and none of my old charges rape, assault, or any crimes considered violent mostly all drug related, because back then i was a drug user AGAIN 25 YEARS ago!!!!! what should i do from here???
DougH says
My understanding is that employers can reject you due to your past. Your state may have different regulations, but most states allow companies to reject
Patra says
I been with Lyft for 4 years I just had another background check and my account was deactivated due to something flag on my background check. I check it and I had a summary not a crime of an agreement to pay unemployment that i did in 2010. How can they deactivate my account when i do not have a criminal record?