Lyft and Uber are the go-to rideshare companies. People know and love these two entities, and they have done a lot to make sure that taxis are available even in the smallest cities. Uber and Lyft used to have very stringent requirements on the vehicles that they accept from drivers.
But times have changed.
You can drive older vehicles and still work for these companies. There are some circumstances where this isn’t true, but for the most part, the requirements aren’t too bad.
Uber Minimum Requirements
Uber lists their requirements on their website. They may have different requirements in certain cities, but for most cities, the following is what you’ll need to become a driver:
- 4-door or minivan vehicle
- A vehicle without cosmetic damage
- A vehicle that is 2002 or newer
- A vehicle that passes inspection
You can’t have a vehicle with commercial branding on it, and you will need to display your Uber decal.
There are different options for:
- UberX
- UberXL
- UberSELECT
You’ll need to have heat and A/C in your vehicle, too. Operating windows and doors are a must. If you don’t have heat or A/C, you can expect to pay as much as a/c repair for your home Depending on the issue, your repair can cost up to $2000 . Newer vehicles aren’t likely to have major issues, so you might just need to have your coolant refilled, which is a cheap fix.
Lyft Minimum Requirements
Lyft drivers will also have to meet strict minimum requirements. If you want to drive for Lyft, the requirements for your vehicle will be higher. You’ll need to have the following:
- A vehicle that is 2005 or later
- 4-door vehicle
- Properly functioning vehicles (steering, brakes, lights, safety features, tires)
- A vehicle that passes inspection
But these are just the car’s requirements. Drivers need to also meet certain requirements if they expect to be able to ride for a ride sharing company.
Driver Requirements for Uber and Lyft
Uber and Lyft are two different companies, so you’ll need to make sure that you check over the driver requirements periodically, as they may change. The requirements that you’ll need to meet include:
- Age of 21 or older
- Own a smartphone
- Carry an in-state license
- Carry an in-state insurance policy
- Pass a background check
- Maintain a clean driving record
- No criminal history
- 1-year minimum experience (Lyft); 3-year minimum experience (Uber)
Ridesharing companies have it in their best interest to protect themselves from liability claims. You’ll be a contractor, so you need to have insurance to cover any potential accidents. You’ll also want to contact your insurance company to make sure that if you’re driving for a rideshare company, your coverage still remains.
Driving records will need to be verified, and they will be scrutinized.
Drivers cannot have any of the following on their record:
- DUI
- DWI
- Reckless driving
- Fatal accidents
- Driving without insurance
- Driving without a license
Any of the above violations will make you ineligible to drive for either of these companies. You’re responsible for the passengers in your vehicle, so you’ll want to make sure that you drive safely at all times.
