Even though Lyft runs regular background checks on drivers, there is always some risk in taking a ride with a stranger. Lyft offers several features to help passengers and drivers stay safe.
For passengers, you can share a real time map of your ride with friends and you can easily contact 911 from within the app. Read on to learn more about safety features inside the Lyft app, and how to share your ride status with friends.
Lyft Safety Tools: Three features available during a ride
While you’re on a Lyft ride, a “Safety Tools” button appears in the ride information overlay, near the bottom of the screen. Tap Safety Tools to bring up three different options.
- Safety at Lyft: Links to information about safety features
- Ride details: Share your location in real time with contacts
- Emergency assistance: Call 911 or see your current location
Tap ‘Safety tools’ during your ride to share your ride or contact 911
How to share your Lyft ride location and status
While you’re in a Lyft, you can share a link that shows your ride location in real time. To share the location of your Lyft ride, tap Safety tools, then Ride details, then select the contacts you want to share your ride with. The Lyft app will send your selected contacts a link that opens up in an internet browser and shows your ride on a map.
One big benefit: No more “Where are you??” texts from friends! But in my experience, the real-time tracking feature can be laggy. It’s good for getting a general sense for where your friend is, but you may not be able to rely on it for moment-by-moment tracking.
Emergency Assistance in the Lyft app: Contact 911 and see your current location
In case of an emergency, Lyft offers an easily-accessible Emergency Assistance feature that lets you know your current location, and has a “Call 911” button. Tap Safety tools, then Emergency Assistance. You’ll see your current location and the Call 911 button. Let the operator know your current location.
How to contact Lyft about a non-emergency safety issue
Not every safety issue warrants a call to 911, so Lyft offers different ways to let them know about a safety issue you experienced during a ride.
To contact Lyft about a safety issue, visit this page: Report a safety incident or citation. Select Contact Safety Team and input your phone number. The Lyft Safety Team will call you to get more information about the issue.
Related: How to contact Lyft customer service
Other ways to stay safe on your Lyft ride
Staying safe starts before you step into a Lyft. The first thing you can do to ensure your safety is to get into the correct vehicle: Verify the vehicle license plate, make, and model before you get in. Make sure the driver you see closely matches their profile picture.
While you’re on your ride, don’t be afraid to speak up when you’re uncomfortable or cancel the ride if you think the ride should end right away. There’s always another driver not too far away, so it’s worth it to end the ride, get out, and request a new ride if you feel unsafe with your current driver.
Learn more about Lyft
Bernadette Reynolds says
I haven’t received my money back on my card for a cancellation on yesterday and would to know why y’all haven’t put it back.
DougH says
Give it a few more days before you contact Uber. banks can be slow
Shayra young says
So I live in Fayetteville and my card was used in Georgia for $44.71 at 8:17 p.m December 3,2020
I called my bank and they informed me that I needed to get ahold of Lyft to fix this problem so that the money will be put back on my card….
DougH says
That sounds really unusual for a bank or card company to say. If it was fraud, say that it’s fraud and it should be their responsibility to charge back or investigate.
C pinder says
I left my phone inside of my Lyft ride and when I called the driver back he didn’t speak any English so I had to find someone who could speak with him. Then he goes to say he didn’t see my phone but I know for a fact it was and is in his truck. That’s an 1000 dollar phone that I can’t contact costumer service to help me find…. pissed!
Kathleen Boulette says
Hello. I have an issue with a pending charge on my debit card from LYFT.com and it shows California on my account. I live in Florida and never use ridesharing. Can you tell me who and how you got my account number???????? I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you in advance for your help!!
DougH says
You should contact your bank and let them know the charge was fraudulent. They will likely reach out to Lyft to let them know about the fraud. It’s not as important to contact Lyft … it’s better to contact your bank
Sonia says
This is ridiculous that Lyft has no way to ask a question other that the questions you have sponsored!
I am asking why have I never paid almost $40.00 to get home from the airport! I know, I know there are airport fees but that is not the problem or the question. The Lyft fee is the question and now a problem because everything on line says “There is not EVER a reason to email Lyft” what??? What I want to know is what is the up-charge you add if my destination point or starting point is the airport.
DougH says
Check your receipt for the airport fee. It is listed separately
Shontara Jones says
I had a terrible first time experience today
Vernell Richatdson says
At 1:37PM on. October 21, 2019 I was charged a no show fee even though the driver called me and I told him I was in front of the J C Penny’s on 11160 Veirs Mill Road, but he never showed up and the app took me back to request a ride. This is not fair to me as a handicap person depending on your services. This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time was on September 25 2019. I refuse to keep allowing your company to take funds out of my account for services I did not receive. Please help me resolve this matter. Thanks.
DougH says
You have to be very careful and precise about where you mark your location. If you are not at the location you mark in the app, the driver can charge the cancellation fee after waiting for 5 minutes and attempting to call you. Make sure to choose a spot that is highly visible, with a place for the driver to legally and safely park