The Lyft Vehicle Inspection – What You Should Know

You’re ready to make money as a Lyft driver, but you don’t know if your car will pass the Lyft car inspection. While Lyft (or the mechanic performing the inspection) will allow a few dings and scrapes to the exterior of your car, your car has to be in good working order to be approved for the Lyft platform.

However, whether you have to pass a Lyft vehicle inspection varies by market. Here’s a list of the states where you need to have your vehicle inspected to drive for Lyft. If your state isn’t on the list, you can apply to drive for Lyft without a vehicle inspection.

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut 
• Delaware
• Hawaii (Honolulu only)
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Louisiana (Brake Tag Inspection Sticker)
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota (Minneapolis/St. Paul only)
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New York (New York City only)
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.

If your state isn’t listed above, you probably only need a few documents to sign up for Lyft. In most Lyft markets, you’ll only need a driver’s license issued by a U.S. state and a copy of your vehicle insurance.

Besides that, you’ll just have to ensure your vehicle meets certain minimum requirements (see below).

Lyft Basic Vehicle Requirements

The general Lyft vehicle requirements are as follows:

• Four-door vehicle that has seatbelts for four passengers, not including the driver.
• No more than 15 to 16 years old.
• Free of major damage and dents.
• Free of large stains, interior damage, and odor.

However, be sure to check out our Lyft Car Requirements guide for specific vehicle requirements for every Lyft market. Certain cities require vehicles that are 10 years old or newer. Also, certain cities have additional vehicle inspection requirements.

Lyft Inspection Cost

A licensed mechanic must complete your Lyft inspection. The mechanic will check out the details of your car, inside and out.

The price for a Lyft inspection is usually about $20.

Lyft Inspection Checklist

For a detailed look at what the mechanic will do during your Lyft inspection, check out a sample Lyft  inspection form.

The Lyft vehicle inspection covers:

• Seat Belts
• Stop Lights
• Front Seat Adjustment
• Doors (open, close, lock)
• Horn
• Speedometer
• Foot Brakes
• Emergency Brake 
• Steering Mechanism 
• Windshield – Large and small cracks
• Headlights
• Tail lights
• Turn Indicator Lights
• Bumpers
• Muffler and Exhaust Systems
• Rear Window and Other Glass
• Windshield Wipers
• Tires 
• Interior and Exterior Rear View Mirrors

After looking over the Lyft inspection list, check out your car’s condition before you take it to the mechanic. If your vehicle has a window crack (large or small), it’s a good idea to get it fixed before the inspection.

You can make minor changes, like replacing a light bulb or windshield wipers, to avoid failing the inspection. You don’t have to be a whiz with cars to look over the basic elements of your vehicle.

Lyft Inspection Locations

Lyft vehicle inspections can be done at a traditional brick and mortar location, or via video chat. Lyft inspection options include:

• Jiffy Lube: Find the closest location here
• Pep Boys
• RideshareMechanic.com – (video chat inspection)
• Pretty much any certified mechanic

If visiting a Jiffy Lube or finding a certified mechanic proves difficult, utilizing RideshareMechanic.com is a simple, modern way to have your car inspected.

How To Use RideShareMechanic For Your Lyft Inspection

1. Fill out the “Apply for Inspection Now” form on the website.
2. This inspection is for: Click “Lyft.”
3. Schedule an inspection: Choose a date and time that works best for your schedule.
4. An inspector will contact you via video chat at your requested time.
5. Walk through the process with the inspector.
6. When your car passes the Lyft inspection, you will receive an email version of the inspection form and can upload it to your Lyft account.

Lyft no longer accepts Uber inspection forms, so it is necessary to complete this inspection process using a Lyft inspection form.

What Happens If I Fail a Lyft Inspection?

You are can go through the Lyft vehicle inspection multiple times. If you fail the inspection the first time, make the necessary changes to your vehicle to meet the required standards. Also, many cities require a new inspection each year to continue as a Lyft driver. Check your area’s standards here.

In many states, new Lyft drivers must have their vehicle inspected before they can take the wheel and make money. Once you’ve determined you meet the driver and vehicle requirements, the inspection is the last step before hitting the road.

Find a trusted, reputable certified mechanic or utilize RideShareMechanic to complete your Lyft inspection. Once you pass, you simply upload your document to your driver account, wait for approval (usually takes a few hours), and hit the road.

If you’re ready to sign up for Lyft, click the button below to start your application and receive a sign up bonus or earnings guarantee of up to $2500. The bonus amount varies by market. Check out our list of Lyft bonuses by city to see how much you may be eligible for.