The primitive privilege of becoming a Lyft driver is that you can work according to your suitable schedule along with your own set of rules and regulations. However, you aren’t eligible to drive for Lyft unless you’ve the right vehicle. The Lyft vehicle requirements are very feasible if you’ve a vehicle that is safe and reliable. Along with this, there’re also individual state requirements that your vehicles must meet in order to qualify as a Lyft vehicle.
In order to make your life more simple, we bring you this guide pertaining all the Lyft vehicle requirements. It also covers all the general requirements you’ll need to meet with your Lyft vehicle, in addition to the specific driver and document requirements for each state.
GENERAL LYFT DRIVER REQUIREMENTS
Contents
Don’t you think it would be better to know if we’re able to fulfill all the Lyft’s requirements for becoming a driver before we begin to check our vehicle. Therefore, in order to ease your tension a little bit, we bring you a brief outline of the requirements to be a Lyft driver:
- AGE: the applicant should be at least 21 years in age.
- A criminal background check: you must pass this test or else, your application will be rejected. Also, your background check shouldn’t have any case of:
- sexual offense or violent crime.
- Disqualifying theft or property damage offense.
- Disqualifying felony or drug-related offense.
- Pass a DMV check. You can be rejected if your driving record check reveals any of the following:
- Driving-related condemnations in the last seven years. These could include felonies involving a vehicle or simply, hit-and-run cases.
- Any cases of accidents or traffic light violations in the past three years. Such violations are called minor moving violations.
- Crimes related to drug trafficking in the last seven years.
- Any case of major moving violation in the past three years like reckless driving( driving in more than the speed limit) or driving on a suspended license.
- You should have current and valid driver’s license.
- Your vehicle should have valid plates with current registration. Commercial plates are also allowed.
- You must have current valid insurance like rideshare insurance with your name on the policy.
GENERAL LYFT VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
If you’d completed all the driver requirements then, you can simply go forward with the Lyft vehicle requirements and continue the Lyft application process. Though each state has their own specific requirements but, there’re some general requirements that every Lyft vehicles have to fulfill in order to be used. For example:
- Safety features such as the horn, seat-belts, turn signals and brake lights should be in a proper state.
- The vehicle shouldn’t have any type of body damage.
- Keeping the car in a good condition.
ADDITIONAL LYFT VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS
Now here, we are going to talk about the requirements that you’re supposed to give to:
- Lyft Line rides,
- regular Lyft rides and
- Lyft Plus rides.
However, you need to keep in mind that your vehicle has the capacity to fit up to six passengers.
Now, think of what will you do when you’re given the option of earning more money? If you’ll ask the secret behind to the above question, we’ll simply tell you to give high-end rides to a wealthier clientele. But, the question then arises is – HOW? And then, we would say, you should consider driving for Lyft Premier or Lyft Lux.
For such services, as you may have understood, you can’t drive any vehicle you like. Also, the vehicle requirements have become more rigorous and finite so that a qualitative experience could be given to the passengers who use these services and accordingly, pay higher fares. In order to qualify for Premier and Lux, your vehicle needs to meet these certain requirements:
Lyft premier vehicle requirements:
As you may or may not know that Lyft premier is also defined as “like regular Lyft, but a little nicer”. In order to qualify for Lyft premier, you’ll need a car model of the year 2009 or newer.
Car models:
We’re providing you all with a list of the car models that are qualified under the category of Lyft premier. The following car models of the year 2015 or newer are denoted by a* and the car models of the year 2010 or newer are denoted by a^:
- Acura ILX*, MDX, RDX, RL, RLX, TL*, TLX*
- Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe
- Volvo S60, S80, S90, XC60
- Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Mulsanne
- Alfa Romeo Giulia
- Cadillac ATS, ATS-V, CT6, CTS, CTS Wagon, CTS-V, CTS-V Wagon, DTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, SRX, STS, XT5, XTS
- Ford Expedition*, Explorer*
- Genesis G80, G90
- Toyota Land Cruiser, Sequoia
- Hyundai Equus, Genesis
- Audi A4, A4 Allroad, A6, A7, A8, Q3, Q5, Q7, RS4, RS7, S4, S6, S7, S8, SQ5
- Jaguar F-Pace, X-Type, XF, XJ
- Kia K900
- GMC Acadia, Acadia Denali, Acadia Limited, Terrain*, Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon Limited
- Lexus ES, GS, GX, IS, LS, LX, NX, RX
- Maserati Ghibli, Levante, Quattroporte
- BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 4 Series Gran Coupe, 6 Series Gran Coupe, 7 Series, ActiveHybrid 5, ActiveHybrid 7, ActiveHybrid X6, ALPINA B6 Gran Coupe, ALPINA B7, M5, M6 Gran Coupe, X1^, X3, X4, X5, X6
- Mercedes-Benz 300-Class, 350-Class, 400-Class, 420-Class, 500-Class, 560-Class, C-Class, CLA-Class, CLS-Class, E-Class, E55 AMG, G-Class, GL-Class, GLA-Class, GLC-Class, GLE-Class, GLK-Class, GLS-Class, M-Class, ML55 AMG, Maybach, R-Class, S-Class
- Infiniti FX, FX35, FX50, G37, JX, M, M35, M37, M45, M56, Q40, Q45, Q50, Q70, QX, QX50, QX56, QX60, QX70, QX80
- Nissan Armada*
- Porsche Cayenne, Macan
- Buick Enclave, Envision, LaCrosse, Regal, Regal Sportback
- Rolls-Royce Ghost, Phantom
- Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X
- Chrysler 300*
- Land Rover Discovery, LR4, Range Rover, Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar
- Volkswagen Atlas, Touareg
- Lincoln Continental, MKC, MKS, MKT, MKX, MKZ, Navigator, Town Car
Also, one thing that you have to keep in mind is that you have to maintain a driver rating of at least 4.7 o drive for premier, regardless of your vehicle.
Lyft lux vehicle requirements:
If you want to go for the idea of earning money by driving Lyft’s most premium rides then, you’ll need a vehicle to fits best in that category.
Car models:
In order to qualify for Lyft Lux, you’ll need to have car models of the year 2011 or newer and of the year 2016 or newer. The car models of the year 2016 or newer are marked with a*. The following vehicles are:
- Acura MDX, RLX
- Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Mulsanne
- Cadillac CT6, CTS, CTS Wagon, CTS-V, CTS-V Wagon, Escalade, Escalade ESV, SRX, XT5, XTS
- Audi A6, A7, A8, Q7, RS7, S6, S7, S8
- Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe
- Genesis G80, G90
- BMW 5 Series, 6 Series Gran Coupe, 7 Series, ActiveHybrid 5, ActiveHybrid 7, Alpina B6 Gran Coupe, Alpina B7, M5, M6 Gran Coupe, X5
- GMC Acadia Denali, Acadia Limited, Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL
- Buick Enclave, LaCrosse
- Jaguar F-Pace, XF, XJ-Series
- Hyundai Equus
- Lexus ES 250, ES 300h, ES 350, GS 350, GS 450h, GS 460, GS F, GX 460, GX 470, LS 460, LS 600h L, LX 570, RX 350, RX 450h
- Infiniti FX, JX, M, M37, M56, Q70, QX, QX56, QX60, QX80
- Lincoln Continental*, MKS, MKT, MKX, MKZ, Navigator
- Maserati Ghibli, Levante, Quattroporte
- Land Rover Discovery*, LR4, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class, E55 AMG, G-Class, GL-Class, GLS-Class, M-Class, Maybach, ML55 AMG, R-Class, S-Class
- Porsche Cayenne
- Volkswagen Atlas
- Toyota Land Cruiser, Sequoia
- Volvo S80, S90, XC90
- Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model X
- Rolls Royce Ghost, Phantom
Furthermore, your car should have the following:
- leather or leather-like seats and
- a black exterior in an excellent condition.
Also, you’ll need to maintain a driver rating of at least 4.7 to be eligible to drive for Lyft Lux. In accordance with that, there’s a general expectation of more sophisticated and professional service from the Lyft drivers which includes formal dressing.
LYFT VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS IN NYC
Documents required for NYC Lyft driver application:
- Certificate of liability insurance,
- Driver’s license,
- For-hire license,
- FH1 insurance,
- TLC inspection and
- vehicle registration.
Vehicle requirements:
All vehicle requirements in NYC are governed by the TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission).
Application steps:
Start an application:
We think we don’t have to say anything more. The heading is quite appropriate. But then even, apply to drive with Lyft.
Upload your documents online:
Take photos of each of the documents below and upload them.
- Certificate of liability insurance: All drivers in New York City must have a Certificate of Liability Insurance (COL). If your name does not appear on the document, you must provide a second document listing your name and matching policy number. If the policy numbers between the COL and driver list document do not match, you must provide a Policy Cover Sheet.
- Driver’s license: Drivers are required to have a valid driver’s license. It can be from any state as long as you have a current TLC (for-hire) license.
- For-hire license: Drivers must have a for-hire license Issued by the Taxi and Limousine commission (TLC). You may submit either a For-Hire License or a Medallion FHV License.
- FH1 insurance: Drivers are required to have standard vehicle insurance issued by the New York DMV.
- Vehicle registration: Drivers are required to upload a copy of their New York state vehicle registration.
Become approved:
In NYC, DMV and criminal background checks are conducted by TLC according to their licensing standards. You’ll be an approved driver after Lyft has all of your documents verified and doubt-free.
VEHICLES THAT DON’T QUALIFY
- Even if the vehicle is in great condition, there should be salvage/rebuilt title.
- Full-sized vans which have a seating capacity of 12-15 passengers. For example: Ford Transit,E-Series and GMC Savana.
- Yellow taxis and other commercially-marked vehicles.
LYFT INSPECTION
A state certified mechanic will perform an inspection on your vehicle before you start driving for Lyft. You don’t have to worry about anything as you’ll receive further instructions on how to get the inspection done after you apply. The Lyft inspection checks for the following:
- A/C and heat: They should be fully function-able.
- Body: Without any damage/dents.
- Horn: Should function properly.
- Lights: Headlights, turn signals, brake lights and reverse lights should be in proper condition and fully functioning.
- Seat belts: They must be present and functional.
- Seats: Front seats must be able to move forward and backward.
- Tailpipe/muffler: They should be able to meet state standards.
- Tires: They need sufficient tread. On a US penny, tread must reach Lincoln’s head.
- Windows: There should be no major cracks. Specially, in driver’s field of vision. Windows should be able to roll up and down.
- Wipers: Should be fully function-able and in good condition.
FAQ REGARDING THE LYFT VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS TO UBER
My car is too old for Lyft but it’s in a good condition. Will Lyft accept it?
Lyft makes no exception on model year requirements. Even though your car is in good state, it won’t be accepted by Lyft.
How much body damage can my car have?
It depends upon the inspection officer to determine whether the car damage is severe or not. According to them, fist-sized dings or dents are acceptable but anything severe than that is not.
Do I need any special permits to drive for Lyft?
In some cities, you have to exert special permit to drive for Lyft. Lyft will give you instructions on how to obtain any necessary permits.
My car qualifies now, but can it become too old later on?
Lyft typically updates their model year requirement yearly and disqualifies cars that become too old. For example, if the model year requirement in your city is 2007 or newer this year, next year it might become 2008. In that scenario, a model year 2007 vehicle would become too old for the Lyft platform and no longer qualify. Lyft will typically warn you a few months in advance that your car is aging off of the platform.
What about the other standards? Is there flexibility?
Standards like tires, windows, lights, AC and heat are mandatory. You might be able to slip by with broken AC or a non functioning feature or two if the inspector doesn’t look closely, but in the long run your passengers will notice and you’ll get low ratings. It’s better to fix your car now then to get hired only to get fired after your passengers complain about your car.
We ensure to give you all the details regarding insurances and ways to secure a more premium and healthy lifestyle through different career options with their objectives and functions.