Requirements for Driving with Lyft

There are clear requirements for driving passengers with Lyft. It is important that you study the Lyft Website for all the latest details and requirements for driving with Lyft, especially for your particular location.

Generally, Lyft requires that you:

• • Are at least 25 years old.
  • Are eligible to work in Canada.
  • Have a valid full-class driver’s license (for the province where you will drive).
  • Have at least 1 year of driving experience in Canada (3 years, in some locations).
  • Provide an eligible vehicle. (This is for regular Lyft, the most popular rider option):
    • • Registered & insured in the province where you will drive
      • No older than 9 years (7 years, in some locations)
      • Good condition & appearance
      • 4 doors, and seats for 4 passengers (besides driver)
      • Not on Lyft’s list of ineligible subcompact vehicles
      • Winter tires (some locations)
  • Clear 2 safety screenings (Lyft handles this for you) (Done annually):
    • • Driving record check
      • Criminal history check
  • Have a local regulatory license (required in Toronto and some other locations) (Lyft handles this for you).
  • Are willing to sign the legal agreements which reflect your arrangements with Lyft and your commitment to comply with Lyft’s Community Guidelines.

As you are probably aware, you must provide your own technology: A verifiable email address and cellphone number; and a smartphone and data plan with sufficient coverage for all your online work and road time.

Before Lyft activates your account, you must provide certain documents (by uploading, or by bringing to the local Lyft Driver Hub):

• • Driver’s license (full class)
  • Proof of eligibility to work in Canada
  • Photo (according to Lyft’s specifications)
  • Documents related to the vehicle you will be using:
    • • Registration
      • Insurance (in some locations)
      • Inspection/Safety Safety Certificate (done annually)
  • Commercial Driving Record (in some locations)
  • GST/HST Account Number
  • Alcohol Delivery Certification (optional)

Once you provide all the documentation, it should normally take just 1-2 weeks (or sometimes less) for the necessary security checks and licenses to be completed. To speed up the process, start by immediately signing up and then uploading all available documents, so Lyft can get to work on the approval process (even if you are lacking other documents such as the Inspection). While waiting, begin planning your strategy for making the most money driving passengers with Lyft.

Be sure to study the Lyft Website about specific requirements in your area. Once you are confident that you are qualified, then go ahead and take the next step: SIGN UP! It only takes a few minutes to set up your Lyft Account, providing basic information to establish your driver profile.

Don’t worry – Lyft does not require fees or deposits, and there are no binding obligations or legal traps. At any point along the way, you can pause to get answers to your questions. So you might as well get started now. The sooner you sign up and launch the registration process, the sooner you’ll be out on the road earning money.

(Note: When you click the link to go to Lyft’s sign-up page, the sign-up address will automatically include a Referral Code DOUG36244. This tells Lyft you were referred by Gig Drivers of Canada. We would be grateful if you will use that sign-up page (or enter the Referral Code in the sign-up box), so Gig Drivers can receive recognition and a small referral reward to help cover our expenses. Thank you very much!)