LYFT DRIVER: Meaning, Requirements App & Guide

Lyft is a ride-sharing business that links drivers with customers and other entities in need of trips. When a customer uses our mobile app to request a trip, Lyft links them with a driver, and the customer pays instantly. Interested in driving for Lyft? Fill out an application on their website or in the Lyft Driver app to apply. Once accepted, you may begin making money while traveling once you have completed the necessary paperwork and cleared the background check. Certain conditions must be met in order to begin a Lyft driver application: State and local regulations, vehicle requirements, age restrictions, past driving records, background checks, DMV checks, License, plates, and insurance for vehicles Education for Community Safety. The Lyft driver app or website may be used to make reservations for rides.

What Is a Lyft Driver?

A Lyft driver can be defined as someone who uses the Lyft platform to deliver ride-sharing services. He/she must have been approved by Lyft after completing the Lyft signup process successfully.

Who Pays More Lyft or Uber?

Which ride-sharing company will pay you more if you want to drive for one of them? Is Uber superior to Lyft or the other way around?

If you’re only comparing who pays its drivers more per hour, Lyft’s average is $17.50, while Uber’s is $15.68. However, Lyft touts higher driver satisfaction. 75.8% of Lyft drivers responded in the affirmative when asked whether they enjoyed working for the company. It’s astonishing, especially considering that 49.4% of Uber drivers were satisfied with their jobs in a similar survey. Despite the fact that Lyft driver appears to earn more money and like their jobs more, researchers did discover one intriguing fact. According to RSG’s poll, 46.6% of drivers prefer Uber to Lyft in terms of working for the company.

Then why the difference? Why wouldn’t drivers choose to work for Lyft over Uber if they are happy, have higher ratings, and earn more money? We don’t know, however, it could be related to platform usage, company culture, or nationwide service (and internationally). Maybe all of the contributing elements are at play.

You should conduct some research if driving for Uber or Lyft is something you’re thinking about. To learn how happy local drivers are with their experiences, speak with them. Calculate the fuel and maintenance expenses for your car. Then calculate the required gross income to get your desired level of income. You should check out the bonuses that are offered in addition to any new driver discounts that may supply you with some more revenue.

Finally, it could even be a good idea to start off driving for both firms. This way, you may evaluate which platform earns you the most before choosing one. Unlike 41.7% of Lyft drivers, they preferred Uber.

How to Become a Lyft Driver?

Apply. You may apply here or through the Lyft Driver app, which is available for download from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play.

Get approval. You’re prepared to start making money while traveling after you’ve completed the necessary paperwork and cleared the background check!

Drive to gain money.

How Much Do Most Lyft Drivers Make?

As of March 8, 2023, the average yearly salary for an LYFT Driver in the United States was $52,595 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. It comes out to about $25.29 an hour, in case you need a quick pay calculator. This amounts to $4,382 per month or $1,011 each week.

The bulk of LYFT Driver salaries now varies between $46,000 (25th percentile) and $62,500 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) getting $65,500 yearly across the United States, while ZipRecruiter has annual wages as high as $71,500 and as low as $11,000. The wide variation in average income for LYFT drivers—up to $16,500—indicates that there may be several prospects for growth and higher pay based on experience level, location, and skill level.

Lyft Driver Requirements

To drive with Lyft, a driver must fulfill specific conditions. Depending on your city or state, different restrictions may apply for applicants and vehicles. Here are some of the local and state Lyft driver requirements.

#1. Age Requirements

Depending on the location, drivers must be between the ages of 21 and 25 to drive for Lyft.

#2. Vehicle Standards

All Lyft cars must have a minimum of five seatbelts and at least four doors (maximum of eight seatbelts).

lacking a vehicle? You may hire a car through Lyft’s Quick Drive service and then start driving. The Lyft platform does not allow cabs or extended limousines. Subcompact vehicles will be allowed starting on August 25, 2021. Depending on your region’s needs, more vehicles may be needed.

#3. Driving History

In the following states, you must have had a license for at least a year:

California
Hawaii
Illinois
Massachusetts
Minnesota
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Vermont

You might need to go through additional hoops during the application procedure if your license was just recently renewed or if you didn’t get a notification of the license issuing date.

Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories’ identity is not accepted by Lyft as proof of driving experience.

#4. Background Check

With your permission, Lyft does a criminal history check as part of the application process. Background checks may be delayed for many weeks as a result of COVID-19-related court and DMV closures.

U.S. drivers need to furnish a current social security number for the background investigation. Afterward, Checkr, Inc., a third-party business, conducts background checks. By logging into the Checkr application site, you may find out the current status of your background investigation.

Your background check findings are viewed and evaluated by Lyft to verify your eligibility as a driver. If your background check reveals any of the following, you could not be permitted to operate a vehicle on the Lyft platform:

Are recorded in the database of the National Sex Offender Registry.
have the following convictions:

An unacceptable violent offense (such as homicide, kidnapping, human trafficking, arson, burglary, carjacking, robbery, or aggravated assault)
Sexual misconduct (such as rape, sexual assault, or child pornography)
A terrorist act
Driving when impaired by alcohol or drugs within the previous seven years (time frame may vary based on regional jurisdictions)
A fraud-related offense that disqualifies you during the last seven years (time frame may vary based on regional jurisdictions)
A drug-related crime that disqualifies you within the last seven years (time frame may vary based on regional jurisdictions)
A theft or property damage offense that disqualified you within the last seven years (time frame may vary based on regional jurisdictions)

For continued use of Lyft, a current background check is required. We’ll continuously check active drivers’ criminal and driving histories.

If a driver’s background check turns up any disqualifying offenses, Lyft maintains the right to terminate their employment at any time. If you think your background check is wrong or missing, contact Checkr through the application site.

#5. DMV Check

Drivers in the United States are required to submit to a driving history investigation, which is handled by Safety Holdings Inc.

The outcomes of the DMV check are then evaluated in light of Lyft’s own safety standards and any relevant laws.

Any candidate who has a driving history that reveals:

In the last three years, there have been four or more moving infractions (such as accidents or traffic light violations)
One serious moving infraction in the previous three years (such as driving on a suspended license or reckless driving)
DUI or other drug-related traffic offense during the last seven years (period may vary depending on regional authorities)
During the previous seven years, a significant driving-related conviction (such as a hit-and-run or a felony involving a vehicle)

Lyft enrolls active drivers in the ongoing DMV record monitoring program, which alerts us to any new offenses.

Your region may have different DMV requirements. For further information, see the local state and city requirements page.

If a driver’s driving history reveals any disqualifying information or for any other safety-related reason, Lyft maintains the right to terminate their employment at any time, in accordance with relevant legislation. Also, read UBER REQUIREMENTS: Uber Drivers Requirements.

#6. Driver License, License Plates, and Insurance

A Driver for Lyft must possess the following:

Driver’s license that is up-to-date and valid
With current registration and valid plates (commercial plates are acceptable)
With your name on the policy, current insurance is in force.

Your name may not need to be printed on your insurance policy depending on where you live. You must get a declaration paper from your insurance provider with your name on it if your name isn’t mentioned on your insurance policy.

Several states and towns demand that drivers have local identification. The necessary paperwork is shown under State & City Driver Information.

#7. Community Safety Education Program

Lyft is dedicated to teaching our community proper conduct when riding in a Lyft. We’ve created a program for community safety education to assist prevent unpleasant incidents. The largest U.S. group against sexual assault, RAINN, is a partner in this initiative.

All Lyft drivers must finish this training by 12/15/2019 in order to continue providing rides. This seminar discusses how to handle difficult circumstances and make travel for everyone safe and comfortable.

How Is Lyft Different Than Uber?

Uber and Lyft vary from one another in some significant ways. For the typical trip, Uber may be less expensive than Lyft. According to data, the typical trip with Uber costs $20 as opposed to the typical trip with Lyft, which costs $27. Moreover, Uber is accessible anywhere, but Lyft is exclusively available in the United States and Canada. Both businesses have come under fire for underpaying their drivers and failing to guarantee their employment.

In truth, the differences between the two businesses are less significant than those between taxi drivers. Because of adaptive pricing, one business may be more affordable at a certain time and place. The only reliable method to compare them is to open both apps on your phone.

Can Lyft Drivers Make Money?

The way drivers manage their time ultimately determines how much money they make driving for Lyft. With expenditures, full-time earnings with Lyft (driving 45 to 50 hours a week) can reach about $800. But take into account everything, including typical hourly pay, costs, and taxes. To achieve those figures, you must be prepared to put in the time.

If you just drive for Lyft sometimes, you shouldn’t expect to make as much money. This is especially true if you don’t drive during periods of high demand when surge pricing might help you increase your profits.

How Do Lyft Drivers Get Money?

Lyft drivers get paid in weekly payments. Lyft immediately transfers your weekly profits to your bank account once you’ve entered your bank and tax information.

How it works

Your previous Lyft week’s earnings as a driver are included in your weekly payment. The Lyft week begins on Monday at 5 AM and ends on Monday at 4:59 AM the following Monday.

After Monday at 4:59 AM, everything you earn after the previous Lyft week closes won’t be counted toward your deposit.

Express Pay or Lyft Direct won’t be included in your deposit if you utilize them to get paid sooner.

#1. Transfer Timeline

Your earnings are deposited into your bank account every Tuesday from your Lyft account.

On average, drivers get their deposits between Wednesday and Friday of the same week.

#2. Get Paid Sooner

You may get paid sooner with Fast Pay or Lyft Direct if you don’t want to wait for your weekly payment.

#3. Express Pay

With Express Pay, you may rapidly withdraw your money to a debit card. The majority of drivers receive their Fast Pay within 24 hours.

#4. Lyft Direct

You get access to quick payments, safe mobile banking, and exclusive benefits with Lyft Direct.

Lyft Driver App

Here are some guidelines for using the Lyft Driver mobile app. Downloading the Lyft Driver app

Also, directly from the Google Play Store or the App Store for iOS, you may download the Lyft Driver app. Logging in to the Lyft Driver app Just provide the necessary information to log in.

Driving Basics

It’s simple to learn how to utilize the Lyft Driver app. Also, it can teach you certain fundamentals of driving.

How to Get Help in the App

We’re here to support you if you need it. Simply select “Support and Safety” from the Lyft Driver app’s main menu, followed by “Get Help.”

Under the Lyft Driver app’s main menu, select “Help and Safety,” then “Learning Center,” if you’re seeking for tutorials.

Conclusion

Both the ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft provide cutting-edge substitutes for taxis and other well-established private transportation providers. Both provide users with a novel and practical method to book and pay for rides using their cell phones.

The service regions, products, and cultures of the organizations are very different. Even if you frequently use the same service in the same location, each journey will be unique because each company’s drivers are independent contractors with a variety of car kinds and personalities.

Lyft Driver FAQs

Should I drive Uber or Lyft?

Generally speaking, Uber drivers make a little more money than other drivers because they spend more time on the road. Gridwise estimates that Lyft has a 4% higher trip frequency than Uber. Hence, if saving time behind the wheel is a priority, then Uber could be the best option.

Can you drive for both Lyft and Uber?

Yes, it is possible to work for both Uber and Lyft simultaneously. You are not an employee of either organization, but rather a third-party contractor driving for them. There is a lot of ground to cover before you can expect any success with this strategy.