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Lyft Application Guide: What You Need to Know

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Lyft Application Guide: What You Need to Know

Want to become a Lyft driver? Then you’ll need to complete the Lyft application. While it’s a fairly quick and simple process, there are a variety of issues that can arise if you make a mistake or aren’t prepared to meet the company’s requirements. Fortunately, the key to completing the Lyft driver application successfully is knowing what to expect. From driver qualifications to the steps involved, here’s your complete step-by-step guide to the Lyft application.

What You Need to Know About the Lyft Application

Simply wanting to become a Lyft driver isn’t enough to make your dream a reality; you’ll also need to match their list of requirements. First, you’ll need to meet Lyft’s fleet standards. Then, you’ll also need to match any state or local municipality requirements. It’s important that you review these criteria ahead of time to make sure that you don’t end up wasting time on the hiring process if you don’t qualify. Before you dive into the Lyft driver application, take a closer look at the rideshare company’s driver and vehicle standards, below.

Lyft Driver Requirement

Determining your eligibility for the Lyft fleet begins with you. Here’s a quick breakdown of Lyft’s driver requirements:

  • Age: All Lyft drivers must be 21 years old or older at the time of their application. Younger drivers may want to consider other options, like Caviar or Doordash, that offer a lower age restriction.
  • License: During the Lyft driver application process, the company will use your driver’s license number to verify your driving record. To qualify for their fleet, your license needs to have stayed up-to-date and current over the last year. Any expirations or suspensions during this time period will prevent your application from being approved.
  • Driving History: An excellent driving record is another must-have to join the Lyft fleet. Any drug- or alcohol-related incidents within the last seven years automatically disqualifies applicants. You also can’t have more than three traffic tickets over the past three years.
  • Criminal Record: The rideshare company also runs a criminal background check on all potential drivers. The presence of violent crime will eliminate you from the Lyft application process.

Remember: There may be requirement fluctuations based on the location where you plan to drive. It’s best to check state- and city-specific regulations before you begin the Lyft application process.

Lyft Vehicle Requirements

In addition to qualifying as a driver, you’ll also need to meet Lyft’s vehicle requirements. Whether you plan to use your vehicle or the vehicle of a family member, it needs to meet these standards:

  • Insurance: All Lyft vehicles must have adequate insurance coverage. The specifics of the policy need to match your state’s minimum coverage requirements. However, some insurance providers won’t extend the vehicle’s policy protections when it’s also used for business. As a result, it’s recommended that drivers look into rideshare insurance to ensure they’re fully protected in the event of an accident.
  • Registration: Your vehicle’s registration also needs to be up-to-date. If it’s close to expiring, you may want to go ahead and renew the plates before you begin your Lyft application. This precautionary step will ensure you don’t run into any issues.
  • Age: Vehicle age is one of the biggest location-specific variables of this process. In most territories, cars and SUVs under 15 years old will qualify. However, Lyft allows their drivers to rent a vehicle through their Lyft Express Drive program. If you don’t have a vehicle or yours doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, you can sign up to rent one during the Lyft application process.
  • Seating & Doors: All Lyft vehicles must offer at least five seats with functioning seatbelts. More seat availability can qualify you for the higher-earning vehicle types, like Lyft XL, because you’ll fit more passengers. Your car or SUV also needs to offer four doors to ensure convenience and safety to riders.

Some cities also set their own requirements. For instance, the Lyft application for prospective drivers in Portland, OR, requires that vehicles be 10 years old or newer. The rest of Oregon, on the other hand, follows the standard 15-year rule with the exception of Medford, which accepts vehicles that are 16 years old or newer. You can find the specific criteria for your area directly on Lyft’s website.

Currently, Lyft offers five different ride types. Achieving the standard requirements will allow you to Drive With Lyft or Lyft XL, depending on your vehicle’s seating availability. However, some cars and SUVs may also qualify to drive for the rideshare company’s more elite programs, which offer higher earning potential. The various ride styles include:

  • Lyft
  • Lyft XL
  • Lyft Lux
  • Lyft Lux Black
  • Lyft Lux Black XL

The Lyft Lux options require higher standards to provide a more luxurious experience for riders. In fact, for all Lyft Lux vehicles, the age requirement is restricted to 2011 models and newer. During the Lyft application process, the company will determine which ride-type qualifications your circumstances match.

How to Complete the Lyft Driver Application

Once you’re sure Lyft is the right rideshare company for you, you’re ready to apply. You can complete the Lyft driver application with a few easy steps, which will take you around 20 to 30 minutes. Here’s a quick walkthrough so that you know what to expect:

1. Create Your Lyft Driver Account

The first step in the Lyft application process is creating your driver account. After accessing the application page, you’ll enter your phone number. The rideshare company uses this step to verify that you have a reliable smartphone.

Lyft Express Drive Application

Next, the system will prompt you to enter the rest of the information required to create your account, including name, email, and city. This is also the screen where you’ll input a promo code. To help you reach your earning goals, use our Lyft driver referral code—MOVER. When all the boxes are filled in, hit “Next.”

Lyft Express Drive Promo Code Entry

2. Choose Your Preferred Driving Option

After creating your account, you’ll need to make a vehicle selection. If you want to rent a vehicle, pick the “Rent With Express Drive” option. To drive your own, then simply click “Add Personal Vehicle.”

Lyft Driver Promo Code - Your Vehicle Or Express Drive

3. Provide Vehicle Information

Next, you’ll provide more information regarding your vehicle, including year, make, and model. The vetting process also requires that you select the number of doors and seatbelts available.

Lyft Application - Add Vehicle

4. Complete Personal Information

Following the vehicle information, the Lyft application requires that you enter more specific personal data. Here, you’ll enter your legal identifiers, like name, social security information, and date of birth. You’ll also be required to provide your driver’s license information.

[Image of background check consent]

5. Consent to a Background Check

Next, you’ll need to give consent for a background check. This process will use the information provided on the previous page to pull your driving and criminal records. After reading the disclosure, you’ll click “Authorize” if you agree.

Lyft Application - Federal Background Check

6. Schedule Your Vehicle Inspection

Most Lyft markets require a vehicle inspection to verify the driver’s eligibility. If it’s included in your location’s criteria, the Lyft application will allow you to select a day and time for your inspection appointment. Alternatively, you can use a mobile inspection company like Rideshare Mechanic. They perform the Lyft vehicle inspection over video chat, so you don’t even have to go anywhere.

Lyft Application - Vehicle Inspection Location

7. Provide Documentation

After setting up your auto inspection, the Lyft driver application will ask you to upload any required documents. You can expect the criteria to differ by location, but it typically involves a copy of your driver’s license, a photograph of your license plates, and proof of insurance. The system will tell you exactly what you need to upload before completing your application.

Lyft application guide - document upload

Ace Your Lyft Application and Earn More

Now that you know what to expect from the Lyft driver application, it’s time to ace your application and hit the road. While your long-term earning potential is virtually endless as a driver, you can boost your short-term income by using a Lyft driver promo code. If you enter a Lyft driver promo code when you start your application, you could be eligible for a sign up bonus of up to $1,000. Click the link in the box below to get more information about your Lyft sign up bonus, now available in all U.S. and Canadian markets.

Looking For The Best Rideshare Company To Sign Up With?

Sign up to drive with Lyft today and get a sign up bonus.

With Lyft, you can sign up to drive even if you don’t have a car!

Lyft Sign Up Bonus

 

drive with Lyft

Drive With Lyft: How To Become A Lyft Driver – 2019 Requirements

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(Disclosure – We independently research our content to provide free advice for you. We may get compensation if you sign up with services, or purchase products through our affiliate links.)

Deciding to become a rideshare driver is only half of the battle. Next, you need to determine which company you want to drive for. One of the most popular brands is Lyft. As Uber’s top competitor, the company has expanded rapidly, adding millions of new riders.

Fortunately for you, this means they’re in constant need of drivers, which means it’s a great time to become a Lyft driver

Unless you’ve driven for other rideshare companies in the past, you’re probably wondering how to become a Lyft driver. While the Lyft application process is pretty straightforward, there are a few factors you need to consider before and after applying. If you’re ready to join Lyft, this guide will explain everything you need to know.

How to Know if Lyft Is the Right Match for You

Not everyone is cut out to be a Lyft driver. To ensure you don’t waste your time pursuing a career that you’ll end up hating, it’s important that you do your research. Before you take the next steps in the Lyft driver application process, take a closer look at what the job entails.

What Do Lyft Drivers Do?

Lyft drivers are the force behind the company’s rideshare services. As a driver, you’ll accept ride requests from Lyft passengers, pick them up, and then deliver them to their destination. For each journey, you’ll earn a specific rate.

Lyft Sign Up Bonus

Lyft is currently offering a $1000 earnings guarantee for new drivers nationwide. To sign up and get at least $1000 in guaranteed earnings in your first month, sign up using the button below.

Looking For The Best Rideshare Company To Sign Up With?

Sign up to drive with Lyft today and get a sign up bonus.

With Lyft, you can sign up to drive even if you don’t have a car!

Lyft Sign Up Bonus

 

How To Be A Lyft Driver

While there isn’t a set-in-stone test that you can take to determine if being a Lyft driver is right for you, there is a correlation between certain personality traits and success in the industry. The top drivers are equipped with these qualities:

  • Excellent Customer Service Skills: A commitment to the satisfaction of passengers is a vital trait for Lyft drivers. Ratings play a factor in your success with the company, and if you’re invested in giving your passengers a positive experience, you’re more likely to achieve consistent 5-star ratings.
  • Well-Organized: As a freelance worker, you’re responsible for paying your own income taxes and setting your wage goals. To ensure you’re setting yourself up for success, you need to keep track of your payouts as well as potential tax deductions, such as mileage and vehicle maintenance. For these tasks, you need to be incredibly organized and keep accurate records on a regular basis. To help in this area, many drivers download a mileage tracker.
  • Friendly Demeanor: Friendliness is another important quality of being a Lyft driver. Even when riders don’t want to have a conversation on their journey, a simple greeting at the beginning and the end of the ride will ensure they enjoy their time in your vehicle.
  • Comfort Behind the Wheel: You also need to be comfortable driving for hours on end. Full-time Lyft drivers are likely to spend eight to ten hours in the driver’s seat every day, while part-time drivers are likely to hit at least 10 hours a week. If you’re uncomfortable driving or can’t sit for long periods of time, then becoming a Lyft driver may not be the best choice for you.
  • Ability to Multitask: As a Lyft driver, you’ll also need to multitask. While you’re working, you’ll need to navigate to your destination based on the directions given in the app, carefully watch the road, and communicate with your rider all at once. Being able to accomplish all three tasks at the same time is an absolute necessity for rideshare drivers.
  • Self-Motivated: As an independent contractor, you also need to be self-motivated. Since you don’t have a boss or schedule to follow, you’re the only one responsible for your financial survival. This means that you should have the motivation to not only work hard, but push yourself to meet your goals.

While you don’t necessarily need to encompass all of these traits, they can be used as an identifier of your future success as a driver. If you possess these qualities, it increases the likelihood that you’ll not only enjoy your job, but that you’ll also be good at it.

Becoming A Lyft Driver: Earnings of Lyft Drivers

Lyft calculates each driver’s earnings using a three-part process. The pricing equation is composed of a base fare, a per-mile fee, and a per-minute earning. Each of these rates is location-specific, so what a Lyft driver earns in Seattle is vastly different than what one would earn in St. Louis or Los Angeles.

When there’s a high number of Lyft ride requests, the company activates a service known as “Prime Time.” During this period, drivers receive an increased rate for each ride they accept in the area. The system is designed so that the standard fare is multiplied by a particular percentage, which is determined by the level of rider demand. The current prime rate will be displayed on the app at the time of ride acceptance.

On top of Prime Time increases, Lyft offers a reward program for highly motivated drivers. The Power Driver Bonus sets weekly requirements, such as a minimum number of rides and a high acceptance rate, and each week that you meet the criteria, you get a bonus. The system usually has three or four tiers, so you can actually earn up to an additional $50 – $400 per week. Lyft Power Driver Bonus amounts and requirements differ from city to city.

Lyft Power Drive Bonus Chart

As a Lyft driver, every time you accept a ride request, there’s a chance that the passenger will cancel it. In this situation, you won’t completely lose the entire value of the potential fare. As long as it’s been at least two minutes since you accepted the trip, you’ll receive a cancellation fee.

Lyft drivers are paid on a weekly basis. The company applies payouts on Tuesday mornings. Depending on your bank provider, the money is deposited into your account instantly, within a few hours, or within a couple of days. With most banks, the money is in your account within 24 hours. Lyft also offers an instant pay option, Express Pay, which allows immediate access to your earnings.

Become A Lyft Driver: Lyft’s Driver Requirements

Having the desire to become a Lyft driver doesn’t ensure that you meet the company’s requirements. To qualify as a Lyft driver, you need to meet the following criteria:

  • Age: All Lyft drivers need to be at least 21 years old.
  • License: You also need to have had your driver’s license for at least a year before you apply to become a driver.
  • Good Driving History: You need a clean driving history. Your record can’t display any license suspensions within the last three years, and no serious drug- or alcohol-related charges within the last seven years. As far as speeding tickets, there need to be fewer than three violations on your record within the last three years.
  • Acceptable Criminal History: Lyft requires that drivers have a clean criminal history. This means that your background check needs to be free of all violent and sexual crimes.

Lyft also places restrictions on the vehicles that can be used for their rideshare services. These qualifications include:

  • Insurance: All vehicles must be fully insured to be approved, and you also need to be insured on the policy.
  • Registration: Your vehicle’s plates also need to be up-to-date.
  • Seating: Lyft’s minimum seating requirements are five (including the driver) and go up to eight available seats (seven passengers).
  • Doors: All vehicles need at least four doors to provide driver and passenger convenience.
  • Age: Unlike Uber, the age restrictions of Lyft-associated vehicles vary by location. During the application process, the system will automatically provide the eligibility requirements for your area.

Check out our page on Lyft vehicle requirements for more information and to see if your vehicle qualifies for Lyft XL (larger vehicles) or Lyft Lux (high end vehicles). If you don’t have a vehicle, you can still Drive With Lyft by renting a vehicle through Lyft Express Drive.

To pass Lyft’s application process, you need to meet the company’s minimum requirements as well as the rules set in place by your local municipality.

Lyft Driver Alternatives

The main alternative to Lyft is Uber. Fortunately, the Lyft vs. Uber battle is one that benefits drivers. Since drivers at both companies are independent contractors, they can technically drive for both services at the same time. This approach widens the available market in the area because you’ll have access to both Lyft and Uber riders. You could boost your earnings significantly with this approach.

If you don’t meet the Lyft requirements as a result of age or vehicle style, there are other alternatives. Uber’s eligibility criteria for rideshare drivers is similar, but it still makes sense to apply for that service if you don’t get accepted by Lyft

Also, delivery services, like Uber Eats, Doordash, and Postmates, have fewer driver and vehicle restrictions.

Become A Lyft Driver: Benefits

Choosing to join the Lyft fleet comes with multiple benefits. Some of the advantages of working with Lyft include:

Be Your Own Boss

The biggest appeal of rideshare companies, like Lyft, is that drivers operate as independent contractors. Being self-employed provides a significant amount of freedom regarding the schedule you work. As your own boss, you choose when and where you want to operate instead of relying on a manager to dictate your daily tasks.

Virtually Unlimited Earning Potential

One of the top reasons people decide to become a part- or full-time rideshare driver is the potential earnings. While true success won’t happen overnight, a quality driver will quickly learn the ropes and determine the most efficient operating times in their area. As a result, you’re provided with an opportunity to make a significant amount of money every week.

Company Perks

As a Lyft partner, you’ll get many perks in the form of entertainment and lifestyle discounts. Most impressively, the company provides their drivers with access to a variety of educational resources, like financial aid services. You can also get reduced rates on financial services and professional tax guidance, and the Lyft Driver’s Reward Program aids drivers with fuel costs and vehicle maintenance.

How to Be a Lyft Driver

If Lyft still sounds like the rideshare company for you, it’s time to take on the Lyft driver application. You can start your application with a Lyft promo code worth up to $1000 by clicking HERE. Then follow the instructions below to complete your Lyft application and get on the road.

1. Create Your Account

To create an account, you’ll enter your phone number.

Lyft Application - Enter Phone Number

2. Enter Your Information And Lyft Driver Promo Code

Then, enter your name, email, driving city and your promo code. Ours is MOVER if you’d like to use it. In order to be eligible for a Lyft sign up bonus of up to $1000, you must enter a code when you start your application. Lyft does not allow you to add a promo code later.

Enter Lyft Driver Promo Code

3. Choose: Drive Your Car Or Rent A Vehicle

The next step is to choose whether you want to Drive With Lyft using your own car, or rent a vehicle through Lyft Express Drive.

Lyft Driver Promo Code - Your Vehicle Or Express Drive

4. Provide Vehicle Information

If you’re going to be driving your own car, the Lyft application will prompt you to provide your vehicle’s details. This step includes the year, make, model, the number of doors, color, and number ofseatbelts. As long as the information provided meets their requirements, you’ll move onto the next step in the Lyft driver application process.

Lyft Application - Add Vehicle

5. Enter Your Personal Information

Once the company knows you have a qualifying vehicle, they want to know more about you. For this step, you’ll need to provide all of your personal information, including your legal name, date of birth, driver’s license number, and social security number (so they can run a background check).

Lyft Application - Driver Info

6. Background Check

Next up, you’ll need to authorize a local and national background check. The company provides a full disclosure so that you’ll know exactly how they’re using the information. If you hit “Acknowledge,” they’ll use the information from the previous step to access your DMV records and perform a complete background check.

Lyft Application - Federal Background Check

7. Arrange a Vehicle Inspection

Unlike Uber, Lyft has you sign up for a vehicle inspection (if your market requires it) during the application process. This approach helps you save time because you can hit the road as soon as your application is approved. You are not required to go to to Lyft’s suggested inspection location. You can have your inspection performed by any licensed mechanic.

Lyft Application - Vehicle Inspection Location

8. Upload Your Documents

The final step is to upload some documents. Document requirements vary by location, but you’ll at least need a copy of your driver’s license and insurance. Most markets also require you to upload a valid registration. See our Lyft vehicle requirements page for the specific document requirements for your market. After uploading your documents, you just have to wait for approval. This can take anywhere from one day to a few weeks. Most drivers are approved in five to ten days.

Lyft Application - Upload Documents

 

9. Hit the Road

Once you receive your approval email from Lyft, you can officially hit the road and make some money. They’ll provide you with full details on how to accept your first ride as well as how to navigate the app successfully.

How to Be a Lyft Driver – Ace Your Application

Tackling the Lyft application won’t take you very long, but there are ways to ensure that you put your best face forward. Here are a few tips to ace your Lyft application:

Be Prepared

You’ll need to provide the company with your personal information as well as documentation, so organize all of your paperwork ahead of time. This will reduce the time needed to apply as well as ensure that you have everything you need.

Be Honest

The company verifies all of the information you provide with a background check and vehicle inspections, so don’t try to cheat the system. Doing so will definitely earn your Lyft application a denial, and it could also inhibit your ability to work with the company in the future.

Act Quickly

The sooner you schedule your vehicle inspection, the faster you’ll be approved. Lyft utilizes the inspection process to ensure that your vehicle meets all of their requirements, including insurance. As a result, be sure to take proof of licensing, insurance, and registration to your appointment.

Reaching Your Full Earning Potential As a Lyft Driver

While you can’t control the market and ride demand in your area, you can set yourself up for success. Taking the initiative and educating yourself on the industry will provide you with the upper hand. Here are a few tips for reaching your full potential as a Lyft driver:

Put in the Effort With Riders

Rideshare driving is a very customer-centric job, so you need to focus on making your customers happy. Along with general niceties, take an interest in their lives and also know when they’re not interested in carrying on a conversation. You can also consider offering refreshments, like water, to your riders. Simply making the effort will take you far in this industry.

Work to Achieve and Maintain a High Rating

You should also strive the earn and maintain the highest Lyft driver rating possible. Higher ratings make you eligible for the higher tiers within Lyft’s rideshare service offerings, which results in increased fares. Communicating with riders and practicing excellent customer service will help you achieve this goal.

Use Your Resources

There are so many resources available to Lyft drivers, from how-to guides to tips and tricks. At Rideshare Central, our ultimate goal is to help rideshare drivers achieve ultimate profitability. Here are a few helpful guides to support you along your journey:

By utilizing these and other resources, you can educate yourself on how to become the best entrepreneur, thus increasing your potential earnings. If you’re ready to get started with Lyft, click the button below.

Looking For The Best Rideshare Company To Sign Up With?

Sign up to drive with Lyft today and get a sign up bonus.

With Lyft, you can sign up to drive even if you don’t have a car!

Lyft Sign Up Bonus

 

Uber Lyft Driver Vetting

The Rideshare Vetting Process: How Uber and Lyft Screen Drivers

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As Uber and Lyft continues to grow and become more accepted as an alternative to cabs or carpooling, an important question arises: how can Uber and Lyft screen their drivers to ensure safety in a cost-effective way? When it comes to cab drivers, the screening process is often tremendously strict, but that kind of regiment is just not an efficient way to screen freelance workers.

When it comes to rideshare vetting, there are all sorts of questions and concerns that people have, and for good reason. A recent CNN investigation found that over 100 Uber drivers were accused of sexual assault in the last four years. Here’s a look at rideshare safety and how it interacts with the vetting process, as well as a comparison with taxi safety processes.

Background Checks

This is one of the main points of contention in regards to safety on the Uber and Lyft platforms. Taxi services all over the country require fingerprinting for all prospective taxis drivers; this fingerprinting allows for a level-two background check through the FBI, screening an applicant’s statewide and nationwide criminal history. Under this process, if a felony is discovered through the background check, the individual is not allowed to become a taxi driver. There are also certain restrictions on non-felony criminal offenses that may or may not be applicable, usually regarding motor vehicle-based offenses. On the other hand, Uber and Lyft both use online background checks, usually through Checkr, to manage this procedure. Until last year, Uber and Lyft would only look seven years into the past with this service, and use those past seven years to deny or accept prospective drivers. More recently, in response to a plethora of incidents, both companies have been rerunning background checks on drivers. These background checks have been more intensive and can go back decades.

You may also be interested in:

Proponents of the fingerprinting requirement state that it is the most useful way to accurately tell if someone has committed a felony. Only about 55 percent of court records can be accessed through online databases, and they are only visible for seven years; on the other hand, fingerprinting background checks can go all the way back to age 18, no matter how old the individual is, and covers name changes. However, those who argue that fingerprinting is not inherently safer will often reference how incomplete even federal criminal records are; in 2015, a study by the Justice Department found that more than three million unprocessed or partially processed case disposition forms existed across just 19 states. In comparison to online background checks, which generally take less than a week, a mail-based fingerprint background check can also take several weeks to complete.

Uber Lyft Fingerprinting Drivers

Fingerprinting isn’t necessarily a perfect option. After all, even if the records for FBI background checks were perfect, they wouldn’t be able to notice people who have never been caught or convicted. However, the truth is that a seven-year window is substantially smaller than the full-life offer an FBI fingerprinting background check provides. Because of this, some people do argue that it makes taxis a safer option than Uber or Lyft. However, the driver isn’t the only part of the vetting process that must be evaluated.

Uber & Lyft Car Requirements

The actual car, of course, must be considered. Taxis are required to meet an exact set of requirements that are usually established by the state, whereas Lyft and Uber each create their own set of requirements for the cars they will accept. Taxi companies also lease their company-owned cars to the drivers, whereas Uber and Lyft instead allow individuals to use their personal cars, which leads to another potential issue.

Taxi companies are able to keep a fleet of similar cars that all meet safety standards as well as other important criterions, such as those imposed by the ADA. Taxi medallions are expensive, so these companies have drivers pay a fee to use their medallion-certified cars, then allow the taxi drivers to keep the fares and tips that they receive. This allows them to ensure that all taxis are safe, functioning properly, and are reasonably well maintained.

Compare that to Lyft or Uber. Currently, there are no specific vehicle requirements that rideshare cars have to meet, so the companies set their own. Lyft establishes vehicle requirements based on the state, and Uber has a list of state-specific requirements as well as a set of overall requirements. Lyft and Uber also both have several different types of cars, ranging to encompass a wide variety of events, such as an everyday ride, a more upscale experience, and a large car able to seat more passengers. Lyft even allows you to rent a car to drive with, which is a setup that is extremely similar to taxicabs, but without such stringent requirements. Overall, this is designed to give users the highest degree of customization – but also includes dangers.

In some cities, they may also require an in-person vehicle examination, in accordance with local laws. This would seem to be a no-brainer, but the issue is, it doesn’t always work that well. In some cities, drivers have reported being required to bribe dispatchers in order to receive a car, and the taxi licensing fees are still high, although nowhere near as high as they used to be. Taxi companies can often afford to pay these fees, even as the rideshare industry changes the landscape in terms of who is hailing cabs, but for individuals, the investment into a taxi medallion is life-changing, and not always in a good way. People who paid these medallion fees ten or twenty years ago are finding themselves unable to pay off the loans they took, essentially putting themselves out of a job.

Ratings

Driver and passenger ratings are extremely important for ridesharing apps, and they are used as a form of safety policing in Uber and Lyft. Because ridesharing exists in an app that has a one-to-five-star system built into it, drivers and passengers are able to rate each other as soon as they complete the ride, and in many cases, they can leave a comment if they feel it’s necessary. This helps the companies to not only keep an easy eye on drivers who consistently receive low ratings, but also to ensure that passengers are not a danger to the driver either. Unfortunately, the system is not unflawed.

To create an overall driver rating, Lyft uses the last 100 ratings, while Uber uses up to the last 500. Both use average driver ratings in your area as a baseline, and consider drivers to be doing poorly when their rating drops below what’s typical for others around them. Neither company will pair a driver and passenger together again if they rate each other three stars or lower. In addition, if one party does give the other a low rating, they are able to comment on why they did so, sometimes reporting a serious problem that the company needs to address — whether they felt unsafe, the other party did something suspicious, or they feel as though the quality or safety standards are not being met. This allows the company to do something about the problem instantly. This is done for every single ride, giving the rideshare apps the ability to determine if their drivers are being kind, courteous, and safe on every pick-up.

Taxis, on the other hand, do not generally have this system. There are some taxi companies that operate within apps, but they do so in an entirely different manner from rideshare apps, and there may not be the same rating or follow-up system that Lyft and Uber uses. If taxi passengers want to complain about a driver, or vice versa, there are extra steps that they have to take in order to do so. Some people don’t have the time to go online or call through an automated system, and many times, the problem is forgotten by the point where an individual does have the time. In addition, complaining about a taxi driver requires that you note the driver’s medallion number or license plate; Uber and Lyft, on the other hand, automatically link your ride rating to your driver, and maintain a history in the app.

Where Uber & Lyft Go From Here

Many people have criticized Uber and Lyft for their negligent safety screening procedures, and not without basis. There have been assaults in both Uber and Lyft cars, and these assaults have made headlines, where people have argued whether Uber and Lyft are more dangerous than taxis – or if the assaults that happened are just overhyped. Less talked about are the numerous stories of assaults and harassment by passengers against Uber or Lyft drivers. In both case, these “lesser” safety procedures are part of what allow ridesharing services to charge low prices, but they can also leave riders and drivers more vulnerable than their taxi counterparts.

Uber Lyft Background Checks

So, where is the middle ground between extremely strict safety and accessible pricing? This is a constant battle, and one that will likely not be decided on anytime soon. Certainly, there are things that both Uber and Lyft can do to make their riders and drivers safer, but their riders will have to decide if they’re willing to pay the price. Is the risk worth the benefit? Is the cost worth the potential increase in safety? These are questions that Uber and Lyft will have to figure out this year.

What do you think Uber and Lyft can do to make their platforms safe for riders and drivers? Let us know below.