Lyft employs more than 100,000 drivers across the country looking to make extra money shuttling passengers. But you’ll be an independent contractor rather than an employee, which means you get none of the benefits that come with a full-time job.
Lyft is a ridesharing company that connects riders with drivers based on their location. Lyft drivers work as independent contractors, which offers the flexibility to set preferred hours and availability. tips Lyft drivers log into the Lyft app, turn on driver mode and potential passengers appear as ride requests. When the driver accepts the ride request, they pick the passenger up at their preferred location.
Once the ride is complete, payment is processed automatically through the app. Passengers also have the opportunity to rate and tip their driver once the ride ends.
Keep 100% of your tips
Create your own hours
Get a pay boost for driving during prime hours
Our top pick: Lyft
Join for free and earn weekly bonuses.
Rate passengers and choose which riders to pick up
Connect with other drivers through the Lyft community
Have a voice in the company through the Driver Advisory Council
Lyft suggests you can make up to $35 an hour as a driver, but there’s no guarantee you’ll receive that amount. The average rideshare driver makes between $12.41 and $23.15 an hour, according to a survey by Gridwise. Pay is based on the time and distance of a ride, and Lyft takes a 25% commission on your earnings.
Lyft has subregion pricing and Prime Time pricing during peak hours, which means your earnings hinge heavily on where and when you drive. Drivers also have the opportunity to earn more by driving luxury vehicles for Lyft’s Lux, Lux Black and Lux Black XL service tiers.
How do I get paid?
Drivers must submit their banking and tax information to be paid weekly through the Lyft Driver app. Lyft payments can only be made to checking accounts. You’ll also need to select your tax classification and add your Social Security number.
Weekly payments are generally initiated by Lyft on Tuesdays at 5 a.m., though some drivers report being paid on Monday. Drivers typically receive their pay within three to five business days. Drivers can also opt into Express Pay, which allows drivers to cash out eligible earnings of $5.50 to $3,000 up to five times daily.
Do I get tips?
Lyft offers passengers the opportunity to leave driver tips through the Lyft app or in cash. Tipping is optional and drivers receive 100% of their passenger’s tips.
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Designed for freelancers, this no-fee checking account has early direct deposit and sets aside money for taxes.
Lyft is available in all 50 states, but it’s not yet available in all rural areas and small towns. Lyft has been increasing coverage over the last several years, and adds new towns regularly.
To find out if Lyft is available where you’re at, download the app and request a ride or sign up to drive online.
How to sign up as a driver
Interested in getting behind the wheel? Here’s how to get rolling and drive with Lyft:
Start the application process on Lyft’s website by entering your full name, email address, mobile phone number and the city you plan to drive in.
Next, enter your vehicle’s make, model, year, color, number of doors and number of seat belts.
Enter your Social Security number.
Upload a photo of your US driver’s license.
Review Lyft’s terms and conditions.
Complete your application by uploading photos of your vehicle registration and insurance. Add a driver photo and review Lyft’s 19-point vehicle inspection checklist.
Lyft will conduct a background check to review your driving history. You’ll also need to schedule an appointment for your vehicle’s inspection.
Driver requirements
Eligibility criteria varies by state, so you’ll want to check Lyft’s website for information on your location before signing up.
Minimum age
18 in NYC
21 in all other locations
How long do I need to be licensed?
At least one year in CA, HI, IL, MA, MN, OR, PA, VT and WA
No minimum requirements in other states
Do I need commercial insurance
Only if required by your state
Is a background check required?
Yes
Other driver requirements
Lyft Lux, Lux Black and Lux Black XL drivers must maintain a rating of 4.85+
Vehicle requirements
All Lyft vehicles must have four doors, a minimum of four seat belts and a maximum of eight seat belts. Some states also impose minimum and maximum Lyft vehicle ages. Taxis, stretch limos and most subcompact vehicles are not eligible Lyft vehicles.
If you’re interested in driving for Lyft Lux, Lux Black or Lux Black XL, you’ll need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
Service
Model year
Other requirements
Lyft
Varies by city
Drive a car model approved in your city
Lyft Lux
2013 or newer
Drive a car model approved in your city
Lyft Lux Black
2015 or newer
Drive a car model approved in your city
Lyft Lux Black XL
2015 or newer
Drive a car model approved in your city
Seat 6+ passengers
What is Lyft Express Drive?
Lyft Express Drive is a rental program available in select cities designed for Lyft drivers who don’t own their own vehicle. Through the program, drivers apply online or through the Lyft app and pick up their rental at an eligible Avis, Flexdrive or Hertz location. To be eligible for the program, drivers must be over the age of 25 and must pay a refundable security deposit.
Rental fees are automatically deducted from the drivers’ earnings. The rental period is flexible and the car can be dropped off anytime after the first seven days. To remain eligible for the Lyft Express Drive program, drivers must complete at least 20 Lyft rides every seven days.
Pros and cons of driving with Lyft
Pros
Flexible schedule
Work as much or as little as you want
Get paid weekly
Keep 100% of your tips
Cons
Drivers are independent contractors, which means you won’t get benefits
Taxes aren’t deducted from your pay, so you’ll have to pay your taxes directly to the IRS
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
Driving with Lyft can be a solid way to supplement your income or to earn spending money in your spare time. But riders aren’t always on the app, which can limit how much you can make. Compare other ridesharing services and consider signing up for more than one if you’re looking for steady work.
Frequently asked questions
Prime Time refers to hours of the day when there’s a heavy influx of ride requests compared to the typical number of Lyft drivers in the area. To encourage more drivers at the height of need, Lyft boosts its pay rates during these hours by a percentage that varies by area. For example, in some cities, Lyft offers a 50% boost during Prime Time — which means a $6 ride could instead reap you $9.
Yes, drivers can receive tips directly through the Lyft app.
If a rider cancels their ride request more than five minutes after placing it or if the driver arrives within five minutes of the ETA, the rider is charged a cancellation fee to compensate you for your time. In most cities, this fee is $5.
Gabrielle Pastorek is a staff writer at Finder, helping readers to round up the best deals, coupons, retailers, products and services to make sound financial decisions. She's written more than 800 articles on the site and is a quoted expert in Best Company and DealNews. She earned an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh, with essays and short stories published in The Collagist, Blue Monday Review, Blotterature and others. When she’s not writing, Gabrielle can be found out in the barn with her horse, Lucy.
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