Lyft driver qualifications come down to four things: your age, your license and driving history, your vehicle, and the results of two screenings. Lyft states that all drivers must meet certain requirements to drive on the platform, and that applicant and vehicle requirements can vary depending on your city or state.[1] This guide walks through each requirement and the application steps in order.
What are the basic Lyft driver qualifications?
The core list on Lyft’s driver requirements page is short. You need a current and valid driver’s license, valid plates with current registration (commercial plates are acceptable), and current and valid insurance with your name and VIN on the policy. Some regions do not require your name on the policy, in which case Lyft asks for a declaration page from your insurer that shows it. Some cities and states also require in-state documents.
| Requirement | What Lyft lists |
|---|---|
| Minimum age | 21 to 25, depending on region |
| License | Current and valid driver’s license |
| Registration | Valid plates with current registration |
| Insurance | Current policy with your name and VIN |
| Screenings | Criminal background check and DMV check |
| Safety training | Community Safety Education program |
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How old do you have to be to drive for Lyft?
Lyft says the minimum age to drive ranges from 21 to 25 and varies by region, and it points applicants to the state and city driver information pages for the exact figure. There is no single national number, so a 21-year-old can qualify in one market and fall short in another. Look up your own city before you start an application.
What license history does Lyft require?
Eight states require at least one year of licensed driving experience: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Vermont. The check uses the issue date printed on your current license card, so a recent renewal, reissue or move to another state can trip it.
If that happens, Lyft accepts one of two proofs of driving history: a photo of an older driver’s license, or a copy of your certified driving record. You upload either in the Lyft Driver app, and Lyft says it reviews the application within one business day afterward. If the record comes from your state, make sure it shows the original issue date of the license.[2]
Tip: If you just moved, keep your old license until the application is approved. It is the quickest proof of when you first became licensed.
What are the Lyft vehicle requirements?
Lyft requires all vehicles to have 4 doors and a minimum of 5 seatbelts, including the driver’s, with a maximum of 8. Taxis and stretch limousines are not approved. Minimum vehicle age depends on the city or state, so check your region’s page before you apply. Lyft also says rental vehicles are approved only if they are rented through its Express Drive program.[3] Vehicle details are only a pointer here: the Lyft car requirements guide covers doors, seat belts and the model year by city. For more detail, see Lyft car requirements.
How do Lyft’s background and driving record checks work?
Lyft runs a criminal background check as part of the application. U.S. applicants provide consent and a valid Social Security number, and a third-party company, Checkr, runs the check. Lyft says most checks finish in a few days but some take several weeks. Lyft then reviews the results to decide eligibility. A separate driving record check is run by another third party, Safety Holdings Inc.
On the driving record side, Lyft may disqualify an applicant with an invalid license status, four or more moving violations in the past three years, a single major moving violation in the past three years, or a DUI or serious driving-related conviction in the past seven years, with time frames that may vary by location. Lyft also states that it conducts continuous monitoring of active drivers. Our guide to Lyft background checks covers what the criminal screening looks for and what to do after a flag.
How do you apply to become a Lyft driver?
The process starts with a Lyft account, created in the app or on the web. You enter your name, phone number and email address, then submit the information needed to show you meet the requirements. If you sign out, the application info you already submitted is saved.[4]
You can check your application status at any time on Lyft’s driver site. Lyft notes that a background check can take several weeks because of the number of agencies involved, and its support team can see only whether you were cleared, not the details of the check. Delays also come from vehicle issues, city- and state-specific requirements such as TNC permits and vehicle inspections, and referral codes that were not entered at sign-up.
If you have a referral or promo code, enter it when you create the account. Lyft says it must be entered when you create your account and application.
What happens after you are approved?
New drivers must complete Lyft’s Community Safety Education program before accessing Driver Mode. Lyft developed it in partnership with It’s On Us, a U.S. anti-sexual-violence organization, and it covers how to handle difficult passenger situations.
Approval is not permanent. Lyft requires an up-to-date background check and DMV check to stay on the platform, and it may disqualify a driver at any time, in line with applicable law, if either check reveals disqualifying information.
Is driving for Lyft right for you?
Lyft’s pages describe requirements, not earnings, so this guide makes no income claim. A practical test is to go through the list above and answer five questions: are you old enough in your city, is your license history long enough, does your car fit the door and seatbelt rules, can you pass both screenings, and does your area need a permit or inspection? If the answer to all five is yes, you can start the application, and the timeline after that depends mostly on the background check.
