What are the Lyft vehicle requirements?

If you’re considering becoming a Lyft driver, you may be wondering about the Lyft vehicle requirements. Lyft has requirements that drivers and their vehicles must meet to ensure the safety and comfort of their passengers. However, many cars will meet the requirements without much effort.

Please read more below about the Lyft vehicle requirements, how they vary by service, the best vehicles to use for Lyft, and how your auto insurance may be affected.

If you need auto insurance to qualify as a Lyft driver, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to find affordable auto insurance rates from companies near you.

What are the Lyft vehicle requirements?

If you want to become a Lyft driver, your car will have to meet specific requirements to ensure safety and function for transporting people.

Your car must have four doors and a minimum of five seatbelts (but no more than eight). In addition, the vehicle must meet Lyft vehicle age requirements, which equal your state’s requirements for model age.

Lyft has also provided a safety inspection that includes:

• Doors that open and close from the inside and outside
• Front seats that move forward and backward
• Locks that allow the passenger control
• Functional seatbelts
• Functional air conditioning and heat
• Functional windows with no cracks
• Mirrors with no cracks
• Functional engine, suspension, steering, and brakes
• Functional headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights
• Tires with sufficient tread

Read more: How much does a car inspection cost?

If you don’t have a vehicle but still want to become a driver, you can use the Express Drive program, which allows you to rent a car and become a driver. However, you cannot use another rental car for your Lyft activities.

Before 2021, subcompact cars (such as Mazda 2s, Mini Coopers, Pontiac G3s, or Ford Fiestas) were not allowed for Lyft drivers. However, the Lyft car requirements in 2021 began allowing these vehicles for use.

Lyft drivers are not required to provide car seats for children. However, passengers must bring their car seats or risk having their ride canceled and paying a cancellation fee.

How do Lyft vehicle requirements differ by service?

There are various Lyft services that customers can use, and the vehicles associated with those services may differ. Lyft’s standard car requirements apply to vehicles used for regular Lyft rides, Wait and Save rides, and Priority Pickup. These programs include up to three passengers at one time. Some great cars for these programs include the 2020 Subaru Impreza, 2020 Mazda 6, 2020 Toyota Camry, 2020 Ford Fusion, and 2020 Honda Accord.

Your car may qualify as a Lyft luxury vehicle if it is an SUV or a high-end sedan. Your vehicle must have a leather interior with at least four seats. The car must be from 2014 or newer (2016 or newer in Houston, TX). In addition, your driver rating must be at least 4.85. Great luxury vehicles include Buick Enclave, GMC Yukon, Lexus GS, Acura MDX, and Porsche Cayenne.

Lyft XL drivers must be able to seat a lot of passengers. Your vehicle must be seven years old or less with at least four doors, six seats, and six seatbelts. Some cars that qualify for this service include 2014 Toyota Sienna, 2014 Ford Explorer, 2014 Honda Odyssey, 2014 Dodge Caravan, and 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Lyft Black XL service requires that you drive a black SUV with a leather interior, six seats and seatbelts, and extra room for luggage. Some vehicles that may meet these requirements include Audi Q7, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban, Tesla Model X, Lincoln Navigator, BMW X7, Ford Expedition, Cadillac Escalade, or a Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

Lastly, the Lyft Access service requires vehicles carrying passengers with wheelchairs or scooters. The trunk of your car must be able to fit the wheelchair without it obstructing your view. Some vehicles that may qualify include Hyundai Sonatas, Jeep Grand Cherokees, Kia Souls, Ford Mustangs, Honda Odysseys, and more.

What are the best cars to use for Lyft?

Of course, the biggest concern when choosing a vehicle for Lyft is to make sure you meet the basic Lyft car requirements. However, you may also want to view your vehicle from a passenger’s point of view. Does it offer plenty of space? Do you offer any extra amenities?

The details are what will put you over the top and make sure you get a good driver rating. Some of the best vehicles for Lyft drivers include the 2018 Toyota Prius, 2016 Honda CR-V, 2016 Kia Soul, 2015 Honda Odyssey, 2015 Lexus ES, and 2015 Toyota Camry.

What are the driver requirements for Lyft?

Drivers must meet specific requirements for Lyft just like their vehicles. First, drivers must have a valid driver’s license. In addition, they must pass a background check.

When you fill out an application to become a Lyft driver, you must upload documents to prove that your vehicle is legally registered and insured. In some locations, you must also provide your inspection.

Your auto insurance must meet your state’s minimum requirements. In addition, the document that you provide must have your name on it. If your policy does not have your name on it, you must get a declaration page from your insurance company.

Be sure to check with your auto insurance company about their rules for driving for business purposes. You may risk having your policy canceled and claims denied if you don’t.

If you need to buy commercial or rideshare auto insurance, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below to find an auto insurance company now. (For more information, read our “Is it possible to have a rideshare car rental?“).