If you’re considering being a Lyft driver, you’ll want to make sure to earn the biggest Lyft driver guaranteed earnings you possibly can. This guide will walk you through how to earn the biggest Lyft guaranteed earnings you can.
Not ready to be a Lyft driver? Check out some of our top recommended food delivery services instead!
How To Become A Lyft Driver
Signing up for Lyft is easy, and profitable, as long as you sign up with a referral code. You’ll start by entering your cell phone number and agreeing to the terms of service.
From there, it’ll take you to a page that asks for more of your personal information, and the city you’ll be driving in.
If you’re driving in New York City, Lyft and Uber currently aren’t accepting new drivers. So instead we’ve found that driving for a company called Via pays well. Join Via with a nice driver bonus here.
After signing up, you’ll have to wait to hear back from Lyft as they will run a background check before giving approval to get out and drive. In the meantime, work on getting your vehicle inspection taken care of as you’ll need that document uploaded to your account before you can get on the road.
Looking for the Uber driver sign up bonus? Here’s our guide to earning the biggest Uber driver bonus you can.
Lyft Guaranteed Earnings: How Much is a Lyft New Driver Earning?
The Lyft New Driver earnings guarantee works if you use a referral code, so be sure to sign up with one. You can get one from a current driver or use Harry’s code: Harry757. Keep in mind, seemingly following in Uber’s footsteps, the Lyft driver sign up earnings guarantee is really a guarantee, and not extra earnings on top of what you make, but a guarantee of making a minimum of whatever they are offering at the time.
The guarantee itself varies from city to city, but it doesn’t matter whose code you use, your offer will be the same. At the time of writing this article, on their main driver sign up page, Lyft boasts a guarantee of $1,000 in 30 days for giving 125 in all cities with using the LYFTMAX promo code that Lyft provides.
But that doesn’t mean you won’t find a better offer when you enter in your city using a driver referral code. For instance, I sent a friend of mine a referral and here’s the message she received:
So, as you can see, she’s guaranteed a lot more ($2,800) than the $1,000 guarantee Lyft promised using their referral code. Though, keep in mind it’s for a longer period of time and for more rides than the direct Lyft offer. If you think you can do 295 rides in 90 days, it is a better deal overall.
So You Want to Be a Lyft Driver?
So if you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about becoming a Lyft driver. Perhaps you aren’t sure what exactly is required or what the job entails. And like any responsible adult, you want to conduct some independent research first.
So before we go any further:
- You do not have to wear a giant mustache anymore.
- You do not have to fist-bump anybody. You can do that if you want to, but let it come naturally. Most drivers/passengers don’t really do this anymore so it’s not expected anymore either.
- Passengers can sit up front, in back or wherever. Just as long as it’s not the driver’s seat and they have a seatbelt on.
- You do not have to have a life-changing conversation with each passenger. Just match their energy.
Uber is probably the biggest name in rideshare right now but that doesn’t mean you should forget about Lyft. So let’s focus on Lyft for now.
Want to drive for Uber, not Lyft? Check out our article on the Uber driver sign up bonus here.
Lyft is typically not as busy as Uber, but this is not true in all markets and as Lyft continues to grow in market share, drivers will see an increase in ride requests on Lyft. On the whole, most drivers actually prefer driving for Lyft too since they offer a much friendlier experience and corporate culture compared to Uber.
Don’t Sign Up Without a Lyft Driver Referral Code
The Lyft application process is relatively simple and you can often sign-up to be a driver right from Lyft’s site in just a few minutes. The site makes it simple to get started and in their pipeline and in a best case scenario you could be on the road in 3-5 days.
For others, it may take a little longer though and your application can get clogged up if there’s a problem with your car, background check, or another piece of your application.
Lyft does offer customer support for applicants but it can be difficult to get a hold of a knowledgeable rep and when you do, they’re not always the most helpful.
So let us help you avoid any snags with our wisdom.
Do not start an application. Yet.
If you go to Lyft’s website and start an application you won’t receive any type of sign-up earnings guarantee. In order to ensure that you earn a sign-up earnings guarantee with Lyft, you’ll need to use someone, anyone’s driver referral code. So before beginning an application, make sure you use a driver referral link to sign up.
If you’d like to sign up for Lyft using our code, here is the link to do so.
Signing up is easy. With the link above, you can fill out your information.
You’ll start by filling in your phone number and reading and agreeing to the terms of service. From there, it’ll prompt you to fill in your name, email address and the city in which you’ll be driving. That’s an important part as it will determine the amount of earnings guarantee you’ll be offered. The Lyft driver sign up earnings guarantee is different from city to city, but it doesn’t matter whose referral code you use, you’ll be offered the same amount.
You’ll be sent through an approval process including a background check. Once approved, you can get on the road almost immediately as long as you have all of the vehicle information entered and approved within the app. This includes proof of insurance; make, model and license plate number; and vehicle inspection.
So many people routinely miss out on the sign-up earnings guarantee from being in a hurry that I have exclusively dedicated a section of this article to sign-up earnings guarantee strategies.
Lyft (and other companies) count on the fact that the majority of new drivers are desperately trying to click on buttons in the application process to get on the road as fast as possible, and therefore will not do their research.
It is important to find a link for a sign-on earnings guarantee before beginning an application with Lyft. The link you follow to start an application will determine whether or not you qualify for a sign-on earnings guarantee.
If you do not apply by following the specific promotion link, you will not receive the promotion. You cannot apply a code retroactively nor can you write an email, send a letter, or make a phone call.
If you do sign-up to drive with Lyft using my Lyft referral code, I’ll get an e-mail with your name and the earnings guarantee amount immediately. You can always e-mail me or leave a comment below to confirm that you entered the code correctly and how much of a sign-up earnings guarantee you’re entitled to.
So now let’s explore two common promotions before you start filling out that application. Please note, these two earnings guarantees are the only type of new earnings guarantee offers that Lyft uses to recruit new drivers at this point in time.
Double-Sided Sign-on Earnings Guarantee (Standard)
This promotion requires that you use a referral link of another driver and complete a certain number of rides generally within 30 (or up to 90) days of being activated as a driver. As long as you hit the ride count within the 30 days, you and the other driver will receive an amount of varying levels.
How it works is if you are an active driver and you refer someone to become a driver, you’ll get a referral amount after they complete the required number of rides during the specified time period after signing up. For example, when I send a referral to a friend, I see this:
My friend that I referred, received this message in response:
So, she would be guaranteed $2,800 in earnings if she meets the 295 ride minimum in her first 90 days and I would earn $350 if she used my referral code when signing up as a driver.
Once you become a driver, you will have your own link that you can use to refer friends, family or passengers to get a double-sided Lyft driver sign up earnings guarantee. I have found this to be particularly helpful for those friends of mine that need work NOW.
Requirements for Being a Lyft Driver
Let’s start with the requirements of the drivers themselves. Feel free to skip down the page if you want to read the vehicle/car requirements.
Lyft emphasizes the fact that most drivers are just ordinary people like you and I. That being said, Lyft also has safety standards and regulations to meet. So in reality Lyft is looking for any ordinary person who has a good driving record and is not or has not been a criminal. Here is a list of their requirements to become a driver:
- Applicants must be 21 years of age or older
- Applicants must have had a valid driver’s license for at least 1 year
- Clean Driving Record
- Pass a criminal background check
- Be insured on the vehicle you intend to drive
Quick link: Rent a car to drive for Lyft
Part 1) Lyft Driver Requirements
1) Applicants Must be 21
There is no wiggle room here. You must be 21 at the time of submitting the application. If it is your birthday next week, wait until next week to submit the application. Otherwise it will be automatically rejected.
You cannot lie on the application about your age. This isn’t Darby’s Sports Bar. Remember, they will verify your age when they run a background check.
2) Applicants Must have a Valid Driver’s License
You are required to have had a driver’s license for one year. The driver’s license must be for the state you plan to drive in and the same goes for your insurance and the plates on your car.
A common problem that occurs is that someone who is applying has not had a driver’s license in their state of residence for a year yet. That’s OK. All you will need to do is send in a copy of your old driver’s license WITH your new driver’s license. You can handle this by emailing a photo of both Drivers Licenses within Lyft’s help center.
3) The Driving Record
Although you have to have a clean driving record, there is actually some wiggle room here. Let’s explore what you can/can’t have on your driving record:
- No more than 3 moving violations in the last 3 years (seatbelts, traffic lights, fender benders).
- No major violations in the last three years (Driving on a suspended license, driving recklessly).
- No DUI’s or drug related violations in the last 7 years.
- No extreme infractions within the last 7 years (hit and run, felonies involving a vehicle).
So I guess by “clean” they don’t mean sterile. A lot of people have had a speeding ticket and automatically dismiss the idea of driving for Lyft. This isn’t the case. Depending on that speeding ticket, you may still be qualified. I would be willing to wager that in the majority of cases, If you are unsure of what your record will yield I suggest applying anyway as the worst they can do is say no.
4) Background Check
Lyft does a pretty thorough background check on all applicants conducted through Checkr, Inc. Lyft dictates the following for its drivers (within the past 7 years).
- No violent crimes.
- No sexual offenses.
- No theft.
- No property damage.
- No felonies.
- No drug related offenses.
Beyond this stuff in the last 7 years, Lyft also does not allow anyone who is registered on the National Sex Offender Registry and DOJ 50-State Sex Offender Registry at the time that their background check is conducted, regardless of how long ago the individual was put on that registry.
Keep in mind, Lyft also stipulates the following on their website: Please be aware that laws governing disqualifying convictions vary significantly by jurisdiction, and the above list is not inclusive of all disqualifying convictions. You may be found ineligible to drive for Lyft based on other types of records.
Related article: Essential gear for rideshare drivers
Having Issues with Your Background Check?
We’ve heard from some drivers who have been deactivated or rejected from becoming a driver after their background check was run and came back with inaccurate, but damaging, information.
It’s important to remember that you are entitled to an accurate background check as part of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. So, if you have issues, you have the right to contact the background check company and dispute it.
The background check includes driving and criminal history. Since it’s always handled with a third party company, you’ll need to contact that company if it comes back with inaccuracies, but be sure to loop in Lyft and Uber so they understand what you’re doing as far as trying to be reinstated as a driver.
For a more in-depth look at what to do if a background check is inaccurate, check out this article.
Part II) Lyft Vehicle/Car Requirements
Quick link: Rent a car to drive for Lyft
You may be surprised to find out that Lyft requires a newer model year car than Uber. Vehicle requirements may also vary by state/city. Check out your area for the most accurate information on Lyft at this link.
Specific Requirements:
- Must have four doors. Each door must have a handle accessible from the exterior of the vehicle. No, those halfsie doors aren’t eligible.
- All signals, lights, high beams, hazards, turn signals, brakes, fog lamps, and other lights must work.
- A/C and Heat must work. A space heater and windows that roll down don’t count.
- All of your windows must roll up and down fully.
- No cracks in windshield, windows, or mirrors. (leeway on minor damage as long as it does not obstruct driver field of vision.
- Body must be in good condition. More on that later.
- Working horn.
- Tire tread depth must pass the penny test: put a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. The tire treat should overlap his head. (This is the actual standard instructed to Lyft Mentors).
- Tailpipe and mufflers must work properly.
- Seat-belts. The all need to work.
- Seat Adjustments must be in working order.
Click here for Lyft driver car rental options
Body Damage
Your car does not need to have a perfect body or paint. Minor scratches and dents are okay. As a general rule of thumb if the car looks like it was collided into at 5mph or less, then it should be okay. This ultimately comes down to the discretion of your mentor though.
Hail Damage
This question seems to come up quite often in forums. If your car looks like mother nature got drunk one night and decided to drop a truckload of fist-sized rocks on it from 5000 feet , then it likely will not pass.
However, if the damage is minor and doesn’t alter the complete look of your car it should be fine. Again, it comes down to the discretion of your mentor.
A/C and Heater
Your A/C and Heater have to work well. Even if you plan to drive in Alaska, you still need working A/C.
Taxi and Black Town Cars
All things that could remotely identify the car as a taxi must be removed. Further, the vehicle must meet all requirements listed above. If you drive or own a cab, you can’t just slap a mustache on your cab and start taking calls.
Town-cars can still display their commercial numbers as required by law. However, when operating under the Lyft platform you are not allowed to use calls generated by Lyft to accept cash or negotiate rides. You have to give the ride on the platform in the same way as any other Lyft.
Lyft XL, formerly known as Lyft Plus
If you have a vehicle with seven or more seats (and seat-belts) your vehicle will qualify to receive Lyft XL calls (six passenger seats). Lyft XL calls have the unique ability to transport six or more passengers for 1.5x the normal rate of a regular Lyft.
Lyft XL vehicles must still have four doors and meet all of the requirements on age and condition as a regular Lyft vehicle.
Vehicles that qualify should automatically be opted in to receive XL calls. If you do not receive these calls for some reason, contact Lyft.
Unlike UberXL, you cannot opt-in to only receive Lyft XL calls. You will not be notified in the app whether or not the request is for a Lyft XL or a regular Lyft.
Lyft also offers higher end vehicle options for higher earnings. Aside from the standard Lyft (up to 4 passengers) and Lyft XL (up to 6 passengers), they also offer Lyft Lux, Lux Black and Lux Black XL.
You can earn more with vehicles that qualify for Lyft Lux, Lux Black and Lux Black XL. Here’s what Lyft has to say about what those mean:
- Lyft Lux: High-end, four seats, the perfect way to add a little luxury and arrive in style
- Lux Black: Premium black car service limited to only the most luxurious makes and models
- Lux Black XL: Premium black SUV service with space for parties up to six passengers
Each of these options have specific vehicles that are approved. For a full list in your driving area, take a look.
Here is our guide to showing all your options for renting a car to drive for Lyft.
Click here if you’d like to see your options for renting a car to drive for Lyft.
If you haven’t started your application yet, follow this link to receive a sign-up earnings guarantee from Lyft!
Your First Week of Lyft Driving
Before you hit the road, let’s go over some common concerns:
- You do not have to schedule hours.
- You do not have to have anybody’s OK to log in to driver mode. You can literally log in and log out whenever you want.
- Once you select the Pink Steering wheel icon, you are in driver mode. You are live to receive calls.
Learn how to use the Lyft driver app here: How To Use Lyft Driver App – 2021 Training & Tutorial
A lot of drivers like to jump the gun and head out on a busy Saturday night in downtown but I recommend a more mellow approach. You should begin in an area where you will receive calls yet be able to pull over and stop easily. This will allow you to switch between the Lyft app and your GPS app with less stress and get you into the muscle and mental memory of inputting addresses and searching for where to drive.
The first few rides I gave were a little stressful. Although I had used GPS applications before, I had not used them to such a degree and could have used some time to figure out how to operate either Google Maps or Waze. As you use them more often, you learn when and how to interpret the data that they give you.
- Start in the Suburbs: I suggest starting in the suburbs where it is going to be a little slower and easier to pick up passengers. The pickup is the hardest part of the ride and making it easier will help you get in the groove. Another thing to keep in mind for your first rides is try it out during the day. Everywhere is harder to navigate when it’s dark out. House numbers are nearly impossible to see, so you have to rely completely on GPS to be correct in the dark.
- Navigation: Navigation is the number one reason for low ratings for drivers so take your time navigating and focus on doing it right. Think ahead about where it is telling you to go. If you know your area and your navigation app is telling you to take a route which will have a lot of traffic, trust your instincts. Also, if the rider is telling you to go a certain way, trust them. They probably know the area better than you do, especially if going home or going to work. But, keep in mind you’ll be picking up some people who know less about where they are going than you do, so be mindful of your navigation app.
- Pickup: I recommend checking the actual address that is inputted into the Lyft App. Park outside of that address in a safe area. If you are unable to find a safe area to pullover, go to the nearest safe spot and call your passenger to coordinate.
- Be Honest: Let your passengers know that it is your first ride and first day. Most are pretty receptive. On my first day, I told everyone I drove that it was my first time doing this, so my apologies up front if I don’t do everything perfectly. My ratings didn’t even suffer because I was forthright with all of my passengers.
- Communicate: Let the passenger know which route your GPS is taking you. See if they agree on its efficiency. In the event that they do not, follow the route that they give you.
- Act Natural: It may feel a little strange driving people for money at first. Some people get nervous. Act natural and pretend you are driving a friend or family member. Believe it or not, in addition to making some money for yourself, you are actually helping people remain safe when they party or saving them a ton of money from a standard cab fare. No need to be nervous. Most passengers will just be appreciative that you’re there for them.
- Candy/Water/Chargers: You can use Candy/Water/Chargers to help with your ratings. Not many drivers (myself especially) carry these items anymore though. You can use these to hedge your ratings against the fact that you are new and inevitably will make mistakes on the road. But only provide them if you want. Most don’t, so don’t think it’s the only way to get rated well or to have people enjoy your ride.
Act Natural and Keep Calm
I put this here again because it is important. Passengers prefer a genuine driver. Don’t try to fake it until you make it. Don’t act like you know about whatever sports or technical programming language they may rant to you about.
Don’t act like you are supposed to have the knowledge of a professional chauffeur or feel pressured to do something you do not feel comfortable doing. Just do you.
You Will Make a Mistake
You are probably going to mess something up at some point. You will miss an exit, forget to start the ride (or end the ride), accidentally drive into Mexico, etc. When this happens, remain calm and focus on the road. Make sure to pull over when it is safe and you feel comfortable if you need to. Don’t jerk the wheel in a last minute attempt to change course. People prefer to feel safe versus the convenience of taking the perfect route.
If it is a technical issue, make sure to message Lyft through the help center. You aren’t the first to make this mistake. I promise. To be honest, a lot of the learning experience is trial by fire. The more you drive, the better driver you’ll become.
When And Where To Drive
Everyone has different preferences on the hours and places they like to drive. I am going to highlight some generalizations on when and where to drive once you start to get the hang of things. I suggest trying all of the hours at least once, keeping in mind that each day will look different during those same time periods. Of course, you can drive whenever you want to so don’t feel pressured to drive any hours you don’t actually want to.
Weekday Nights: Evenings have good volume, generally speaking, but it will also depend on the day of the week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be rather slower than Thursdays and Fridays. You will often experience less traffic and this will make it easier to drive, as long as you’re driving after rush hour has abated. No matter what day of the week, people will go out for drinks and potentially be drunk. If you are worried about your passengers being wild, I would suggest logging off by 11 p.m.
Weekday Mornings: These hours will generally have a lot of commuter passengers. These are people who commute using Lyft. Often you will get passengers who missed their train/bus or passengers who are going to an interview. These passengers tend to be quiet and more logical/reserved. Traffic tends to start off ok and turn into a nightmare as the morning churns on. Keep in mind fewer drivers are out in the morning so you may find more success before rush hour. The early bird gets the worm as they say.
Weekends: Your weekend passengers will generally be more social and in a better mood. After all, it is the weekend. Though also keep in mind many people work on the weekends, too. You’ll likely get requests for people heading into their weekend jobs. If you drive during a Sat./Sun. morning you may get some hungover people going home after a night out or going to their vehicles to pick them up from the bar they left the night before. Often these can be great times for Primetime as fewer drivers are out in the morning.
As the afternoon comes around you will likely get requests from a lot of places for people who are going out to enjoy the weekend. Look into what festivities are happening around your city to be better equipped for bigger events.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are a lot of drivers on the road during the weekends. Drivers with full-time jobs will be on the road when they otherwise would not be.
Saturday Evening: This time will get pretty busy as people continue to go out, begin their night, end their night, etc. It’s typically the highest volume part of the weekend. However, it is also the time where most drivers are on the road. As the night comes to a close, you will get a lot of business around bars, events, conventions and concerts. Primetime pricing tends to peak on Saturday nights whenever the bars let out. This is when the most number of passengers often need a ride all at the same time and there is rarely enough driver supply, so prices go up.
Sundays: Mornings begin decently as people return home after crashing wherever they ended up the night before. Expect a lot of quiet rides with disheveled passengers. As the morning progresses, people will begin to go out to church, for brunch and other Sunday daytime activities. As Sunday night comes around, business generally drops as people prepare for the work week.
Beaches: If your market has a beach scene, there is usually a spike in business as the sun sets on the weekends. You may get some Primetime rides from the beach. However, you may also get a lot of sand in your car. So bring a towel.
Have Fun
After a few days you will get the groove of where and when to drive and how to operate the Lyft app. Hopefully you will have made a few hundred dollars when all is said and done too. So now that you have jumped through all of the hoops of becoming a Lyft driver, you can begin meandering the streets to earn money as a driver.
If you’re on the fence about signing up, I say just go for it. There isn’t a whole lot of risk to trying it out and in a best case scenario, you could be out on the road giving your first ride in as little as 3-5 days after submitting your application.
You’ll probably end up liking it and at least doing it here and there when you need some extra cash. And if you don’t, you’re always free to quit!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for Lyft?
To sign up for Lyft, to go to Lyft.com and click on “Apply to Drive”. From there you’ll be taken to a screen where you’ll enter your phone number and agree to Lyft’s terms and conditions.
From there you’ll be asked to enter more information including your name, email address, city you’ll drive in and the optional referral code. If you’re looking for a referral code, feel free to use Harry’s: Harry757. That page will look something like this:
Click “Submit” and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Lyft driver. They’ll run a background check and contact you once you’re approved for driving.
Why should I sign up with a Lyft referral code?
If you sign up with a Lyft referral code, you’ll be qualified to receive their sign-up guarantee. An example of this is if you complete 295 rides in your first 90 days, you’re guaranteed to earn $2,800. So, if what you earned completing those 295 rides was under $2,800, Lyft will make up the difference. If you sign up without a referral code, you don’t get a chance at those extra earnings.
What’s the application process like?
In order to get signed up with Lyft, you will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, Social Security Number (SSN), driver’s license and auto information. Your SSN will only be used to perform the background check (there is no credit check).
How long does it take to be approved to drive for Lyft?
This varies. It states on the Lyft website that the background check could take several weeks to process. But, for the most part, in my experience it takes a few days. Granted, if the process is taking longer than expected, you can view your application process as you go.
There are several ways you can contact Lyft as you’re getting started and once you are a driver:
- Online help center: https://help.lyft.com/hc/en-us
- Email Lyft: support@lyft.com
- In app support
- Contact them on Facebook or Twitter for less pressing needs
- Critical response line (for drivers only and for emergencies only): 855-865-9553
Can I drive for Lyft with a salvage title or a salvaged vehicle?
Unfortunately, you can not drive for Lyft or Uber with a salvaged vehicle but most delivery services will allow you to work for them.
Is there a mileage requirement to drive with Lyft?
No, there is no mileage requirement in order to drive with Lyft. As long as your car meets the other requirements, you can drive for Lyft with as many miles on your car as you would like.
Can I drive for Lyft using someone else’s car?
Yes as long as you are on the insurance card.
Can I drive for Lyft and delivery apps at the same time?
Yes, you can drive for Lyft and delivery apps! You’ll just want to make sure to turn Lyft off once you accept a delivery request, or vice versa. Wondering which delivery apps are the best? Here’s our list of the best food delivery services to work for.
Have questions about your car or the driver requirements? Ask away in the comments section!
Related articles:
- Best food delivery jobs
- How much does Instacart Pay
- How much do DoorDash drivers make
- Postmates driver pay
-RSG Team
