Did you know that your car can age out of Uber & Lyft?
Even if your car is currently new enough to qualify, Uber & Lyft update their vehicle requirements every year and your car can become too old to qualify.
When your car is too old for the the current vehicle requirements, you won’t be able to use it to give rides. You can still access your account, but you can’t go online and get ride requests.
And if your car qualifies for a premium service like Uber Comfort or Extra Comfort, it can be downgraded to UberX and standard Lyft when it becomes too old.
But when exactly will your car age out and become ineligible? Uber and Lyft regularly change their policies, so they may remove it when the year changes, or they may remove it at the end of your current insurance policy.
Uber no longer allows this driver to go online with a vehicle that became too old
Read on to learn what happens when your car gets too old for Uber & Lyft, and what you can do to stay driving.
Will your car be too old for Uber or Lyft next year?
Generally, Uber and Lyft accept vehicles that are 15 years old or newer, but the exact model year requirement can vary from city to city. Check our pages on the current Uber and Lyft vehicle requirements for up-to-date info.
Uber and Lyft update the oldest acceptable model year every year. For example, in cities where Uber accepts 15-year-old vehicles, the oldest acceptable model year in 2024 was 2009. In 2025, the new requirement will become 2019 and 2009 vehicles will no longer qualify.
Check the current vehicle requirements below:
What Uber sends when your car is aging out of the system
The driver below got an email from Uber informing them that their car will no longer be eligible as of January 1, 2024.
Uber will send you a notice when your car is about to age out of the system
Your account won’t be deactivated, but you can’t go online until you add a qualifying vehicle
Uber and Lyft don’t deactivate your account when your car ages out of the system.
You can still log in and access your driver account, but you won’t be able to go online and give rides until you add a qualifying vehicle.
Both apps will prompt you to add a new vehicle, and will refer you to their vehicle rental services.
Read more about how deactivations and account suspensions work with Uber and Lyft.
Your car can get downgraded from premium services like Comfort and Black
Some premium ride types require newer vehicles than the base-level services like UberX and Lyft.
For example: Uber Comfort only allows vehicles that are 7 years old or newer, but UberX allows vehicles that are 15 years old or newer.
If your car becomes too old for a premium service like Uber Comfort, it will be transitioned down to the next qualifying service.
You can continue driving, but you won’t be able to get requests for those higher-paying rides.
That’s bad news if you drive for high-end services like Uber Black & Premier or Lyft Lux Black.
When do Uber & Lyft make your car ineligible?
Here’s a scenario: You know that your car is about to become too old for Uber and Lyft. When exactly will they stop allowing you to give rides?
It depends! Uber and Lyft don’t always do the same thing every year in every city. In some years, Uber waited until March to disqualify old cars. In others, cars became ineligible on January 1st.
Uber & Lyft may also give you until the end of your current insurance policy to drive with a vehicle that is too old for the current requirements.
Here’s a thread by Uber drivers who were given until the end of their current auto insurance policy.
Just remember that Uber & Lyft frequently change their practices, so keep an eye out for messages and notifications to stay informed.
What you can do if your car ages out of Uber or Lyft
You have a few options when your car becomes too old: Get a newer car, rent a car, or drive for an app that accepts older vehicles.
Rent a car
You can rent an eligible vehicle through Uber, Lyft, or a third-party service like HyreCar.
Rideshare rentals are expensive, generally starting at $250 per week or higher. Rentals are only a viable option if you plan to drive full-time.
But rentals come with benefits, like:
- Insurance is included
- Basic maintenance is included
- No extra miles and depreciation on your personal car
Buy an eligible vehicle
Purchasing a vehicle to do rideshare is an investment that requires close analysis.
The vehicle should be affordable, fuel efficient, and new enough to stay on the Uber & Lyft platform for several years.
Most drivers find that a used hybrid vehicle is the best option. A brand-new car is unlikely to be a profitable decision because high mileage from rideshare driving will rapidly depreciate the value and quickly leave you underwater on a loan.
Drive for apps that accept older vehicles
There are many other driving gigs that you can do with an older vehicle. Instead of investing in a new car or getting an expensive rental, you can try a new gig.
These apps accept older vehicles:
Generally, delivery apps have easier vehicle requirements, and most accept any working vehicle.
Hoow says
I’ve just started for uber, my car is a 2007. Lyft and Uber aren’t real long term sources of income, in the end it is very expensive just to even keep driving for them. You’d either have to buy a newer vehicle, or rent their vehicles at nearly $300 a week, which is crazy. You’ll be pushing just to pay for that $300.
Matthew says
It’s actually very lukrative driving with a rental. Most rentals will be paid for primarily with incentives. Additionally, if you meet the criteria to lease a Tesla then you got it made. Full tank to full charge comparison, I don’t know many cars you can fill up for Uber $65.00. a full charge on a Tesla model 3 would cost about $12.00 even less on considering other factors, and it takes about 25 minutes respectfully. So right now Hertz offers a no emission incentive. $1.00 per trip, Max 60 per week. Must complete 30 trips per week with Tesla, but why not to 60 plus. Don’t let rental intimidate you. There’s nothing to question. Everything is accepted by Uber, whereas with your own vehicle it sometimes possible to be underinsured. Rental has you covered. Zero maintenance. Rider gets sick in your rental, no problem go get a new one. Less drama overall to worry about. Well I hope this helps. Sorry I ranted a bit.
Doug H says
How many hours per week do you drive in the rental to make it profitable?
Terry says
Getting 30 trips per week can be quite hard especially when incentives are involved. I find I end up getting alot of longer distance rides then so last night I worked 6 hours and only had 5 rides. I had back to back rides but each ride was taking 30-40 mins due to traffic/distance so getting 30 trips especially 60 can be challenging. And $60 incentive ($1 per ride) is a drop in the bucket when you’re paying $300+ per week for a rental. In my area, Uber/lyft drivers average $20/hr if working full time. I started with a rental and instead bought a cheap used little Honda and I find it more profitable than a rental. Maintenance is low key, gas is efficient and I’m not working 15+ hours a week just to pay for the rental.
Steven Michael Hardy says
Honestly age should not matter it should be condition and miles on vehicle that matter.
Douglas Bower says
I have a mint 2001 oldsmobile intrigue loaded with the gold package and leather it’s was my grandmother ‘s with 26 ,000 original miles and ur telling me it is told old to drive for u guys….
DougH says
Uber and Lyft won’t make an exception even if your car is really nice. You can still use it for delivery apps though
Really Bro? says
“YoU cAN StIlL UsE iT fOR dElIveRy ApPs thO”
Yeah and can paid nothing and not get any tip. Ive been down that road. No thanks.
Kate says
Not true tou can go to an inspection site where they can deem your car usable
Gary says
Where are the inspection sites and I don’t see this listed as an option anywhere.
Logan says
I agree Douglas, I only have 107,000 on my ’06 Honda Ridgeline in near mint condition. Maybe you put like a 30 year limit on a vehicle ..that would be fair. But.. if your car passes an inspection & it’s clear that it’s still in great condition, it should be permitted. It’s really stupid.