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Lyft Car

Requirements

in 2024

You don’t need a brand new or

fancy car to drive for Lyft, but

they do have specific

requirements your car must

meet before driving.

Harry Campbell

14 MIN READ

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Lyft doesn’t have strict

requirements regarding the cars

they’ll allow. However, they must

ensure all passengers’ safety, and

there are specific city/state

guidelines they must follow.

In This Article

What Are Lyft’s

Minimum Car

Requirements?

Lyft has high standards for the cars

it approves for its platform to

ensure the safety of its drivers and

passengers.

Not only does Lyft have specific car

requirements, but they also abide

by all city and state guidelines, so

depending on where you live, you

may have more requirements.

1. The Car’s Age

The car’s age requirements vary by

where you live. Some cities, like

Chicago and Philadelphia, require

cars to be 2008 or newer, but New

York City allows vehicles from 2007,

and Washington DC requires cars

to be 2013 or newer.

You can check your city’s

requirements here to determine

what age a car must be for you to

drive for Lyft.

2. The Number of Doors

and Seatbelts

No matter the make and model car

you drive, or its age, all cars must

have four doors. This makes it

easier for passengers to get in and

out of the car, especially since

most passengers sit in the back

seat.

In addition, all cars must have five

seatbelts (five seats), including the

driver’s seat belt. Eligible cars must

also not have more than eight seat

belts (eight seats).

3. Insurance and

Required

Documentation

You must have car insurance on

the car you drive in your name to

be eligible for Lyft. In some cities,

your name doesn’t have to be on

the registration, but you must

always be the person insured to

drive the car.

4. Car Inspection

Requirements

The Lyft vehicle inspection ensures

your car is safe, functional, and

cosmetically pleasing. Drivers can

have the inspection performed at a

local Lyft Hub or an ASE-certified

mechanic.

The Lyft inspection requirements

may vary by state, but most states

require a 19-point inspection,

including evaluation of the brakes,

lights, seat belts, and wheel. Some

states also require an annual re-

inspection to continue to drive for

Lyft.

The inspection may also include an

evaluation of the car’s exterior.

Faded paint, excessive dents,

scratches, or missing parts could

make your car ineligible.

5. Car Seat Policy

Requirements

In most cities, the passenger must

provide the car seat if they plan to

ride with a child that requires one.

Currently, the only city that offers

to match riders with drivers with

car seats equipped is New York

City.

If a rider doesn’t have the

appropriate car seat, you can

refuse the ride, but the rider will

pay a cancellation fee.

Why Are Lyft’s Car

Requirements

Necessary?

Lyft has car requirements to ensure

the safety of its passengers. Lyft

promises its passengers a safe ride

to their destination. If they didn’t

have car requirements, there would

be a higher risk of cars breaking

down or unsafe cars picking riders

up to take them to their

destination.

Older cars that don’t function

properly also pose a higher risk of

accidents, putting everyone in

danger. Lyft’s car age and

inspection requirements minimize

these risks.

The car requirements also allow

Lyft to control which cars represent

Lyft to maintain its image and keep

its customers safe.

Lyft Service-

Specific

Requirements

Lyft, like Uber, has different

service options, but not all cars

qualify for all services. Here’s what

you must know.

Standard Lyft Services

Standard Lyft services are for up to

four passengers. Most newer cars

(2007+, depending on the city) that

pass the inspection qualify for

standard Lyft services.

This category also includes the

following options:

Luxury Lyft Services

The Luxury Lyft services offer nicer

cars, sometimes with leather seats.

The services include:

XL Lyft Services

XL Lyft Services are for five

passengers. Common cars include

the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey,

Ford Explorer, and Mitsubishi

Outlander. The car must have four

doors and enough seatbelts for all

five passengers.

Black XL Services

If you want to drive for Lyft Black XL

Services, you must drive a luxury

SUV that seats at least five

passengers. In addition, the car’s

exterior must be black, and the

interior must be leather or leather-

like. Examples include the BMW X5

and Lincoln Navigator.

Handicap and

Accessible Services

If your car can accommodate

wheelchairs and scooters while

making it easy for handicapped

passengers to get into, you can

drive for Lyft Assisted. The vehicle

must be able to fit a wheelchair

plus two passengers.

Common vehicle examples include

the Hyundai Sonata, Kia Soul, and

Honda Odyssey.

Lyft Car

Requirements That

Vary By State

Each state has its own criteria to

qualify cars for ridesharing. Below

are the requirements for each

state.

Alabama

Vehicles must be 2008 or newer to

qualify.

Alaska

Vehicles must be 2011 or newer to

qualify.

Arizona

Depending on the city you live in,

your car requirements may vary.

If you live in Flagstaff, Phoenix, or

Tucson, your car may be a 2007 or

newer; however, if you live in any

other city, it must be a 2009 or

newer.

Arkansas

If you live in Fayetville (airport code

XNA), you must drive a car that’s

2009 or newer. In all other cities,

your vehicle can be a 2007 or

newer.

California

All cars eligible for Lyft in

California must have a California

license plate.

If you live in Eureka, El Centro, San

Luis Obispo, Merced, Chico,

Victorville, or Yuba City, your car

can be a 2007 or newer.

If you live in San Francisco or San

Jose, your car must be a 2008 or

newer, and in all other cities, it

must be a 2009 or newer.

Colorado

All Lyft cars in Colorado must have

a Colorado license plate and be

2008 or newer.

Connecticut

All cars eligible for Lyft in

Connecticut must be 2011 or newer.

Delaware

To drive for Lyft in Delaware, your

car must be 2007 or newer.

Florida

To drive for Lyft in Florida, your car

must be a 2011 or newer.

Georgia

All cars eligible for Lyft in Georgia

must be 2011 or newer.

Hawaii

To drive for Lyft in Hawaii, your car

must be 2007 or newer, but trucks

are not allowed if you live in

Honolulu.

Idaho

If you live in Boise, you must drive a

2009 or newer car, but all other

cities allow a 2008 or newer car to

drive for Lyft.

Illinois

Illinois is a state where many cities

have different requirements.

Indiana

If you live in Gary, Terre Haute, or

Muncie, you must drive a car that’s

2009 or newer, but in all other cities,

your car can be a 2007 or newer.

Iowa

All areas of Iowa require that Lyft

vehicles be 2007 or newer.

Kansas

If you live in Manhattan, Topeka,

and Western Kansas, your car must

be 2009 or newer. In all other cities,

cars 2007 or newer are allowed.

Kentucky

Lyft drivers must have a car that’s

2007 or newer in Kentucky.

Louisiana

If you live in New Orleans, your car

must be a 2012 or newer to drive for

Lyft, and in all other cities, the car

must be a 2010 or newer.

Maine

All drivers must have a car that’s

2008 or newer to drive for Lyft in

Maine.

Maryland

Last updated May 9, 2023

Minimum Car

Requirements

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Service Requirements Jump

State Requirements Jump

DISCLAIMER Jump

Best Cars To Drive For Lyft Jump

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Frequently Asked

Questions

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Related:

Lyft Driver Requirements

Lyft Insurance Requirements

Wait & Save rides – Only

available in certain cities; this

program allows riders to wait

longer for a ride during busy

times and pays lower fares.

Lyft Shared – Riders can share a

car if they are going in the same

direction to save on fares.

Priority Pickup – Riders can

choose to pay more to get

pushed to the front of the line for

faster pickup

Preferred – Riders can choose a

top-rated driver in a more

spacious car and pay higher

rates. These riders may also be

eligible for VIP service with

specific accommodations. This

service is not available in every

market yet.

Related:

Lyft Preferred: More Money for

Drivers?

Lux – Your car must be a high-

end sedan or SUV with room for

four passengers. The interior

must be leather or leather-like.

Common examples include BMW

X3 and the GMC Yukon Denali.

Lux Black – To qualify for this

category, you must drive a black

luxury sedan or SUV with leather

or leather-like seats. Examples

include the BMW 5-series and

Cadillac Escalade.

Note: If not mentioned, all

cars need four doors and

seat five to eight people,

including the driver. Cars

may also not be taxis, limos,

or on the salvage list.

click to learn more

01. Alabama

02. Alaska

03. Arizona

04. Arkansas

05. California

06. Colorado

07. Connecticut

08. Delaware

09. Florida

10. Georgia

11. Hawaii

12. Idaho

13. Illinois

14. Indiana

15. Iowa

16. Kansas

17. Kentucky

18. Louisiana

19. Maine

20. Maryland

21. Massachusetts

22. Michigan

23. Minnesota

24. Mississippi

25. Missouri

26. Montana

27. Nebraska

28. Nevada

29. New Hampshire

30. New Jersey

31. New Mexico

32. New York

33. North Carolina

34. North Dakota

35. Ohio

36. Oklahoma

37. Oregon

38. Pennsylvania

39. Rhode Island

40. South Carolina

41. South Dakota

42. Tennessee

43. Texas

44. Utah

45. Vermont

46. Virginia

47. Washington

48. Washington, DC

49. West Virginia

50. Wisconsin

51. Wyoming

Bloomington – 2013 or newer

Decatur or Kankanee – 2009 or

newer

Chicago – 2008 or newer

All other areas – 2007 or newer

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