WHAT CARS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR Lyft? – Lyft CAR REQUIREMENTS

Lyft is the second largest ridesharing company after Uber. It is based in San Francisco, California, United States.

Many people who are interested in working for Lyft, have one common question: “what cars are eligible for Lyft?” or “Does my car qualify for Lyft?”

In this article, we will provide you with all that you need to know about Lyft car requirements. While this article helps you familiarize yourself with the most up-to-date vehicle requirements for Lyft, we recommend that you also check your specific Lyft city requirements.

To best answer your question about the vehicle's requirements, we divided this article into sections for each Lyft option. Lyft offers different service options like Lyft, LyftXL, Lyft Lux, and Lyft Black LUX.

Depending on which option(s) you are interested in joining, read through the requirements carefully and confirm that your vehicle is eligible. Otherwise, you might need to buy, rent, or lease a new qualified vehicle.  

What is Lyft?

Lyft is the second largest ridesharing company in the United States after Uber. Before we get into Lyft, it is important to understand the meaning of “ridesharing” first.

Ridesharing is a new way of commuting using a cheaper option than regular taxis. Also, ridesharing allows you to know who is driving you from point A to point B, which provides more safety.

Lyft first started in 2012 and grew rapidly in the United States. Like most ridesharing companies, Lyft has an app that you can install on your phone. Using this app, you can request a ride from one place to another.

All Lyft payments are cashless, meaning, the company charges your credit card that is attached to your account.

Lyft car requirements

 

Lyft offers different service options like regular Lyft, LyftXL, Lyft Lux, and Lyft Black LUX.

In this section, we will walk you through car requirements for each Lyft service option.

 

• Regular Lyft car requirements 

 

 

The first service option that Lyft offer is the regular Lyft. In this option, you can request a car that seats up to four passengers. Below are the vehicle requirements for regular Lyft:

 

• Model requirements

 

All regular Lyft vehicles have to be four-door cars. Lyft has specific model year requirements that vary from city to city. 

For instance, your car is eligible to work for Lyft if it is 2010 or newer in Bloomington. However, Decatur and Kankakee accept cars that are 2006 or newer. All other cities except Chicago accept vehicles 2004 or newer.

Lyft also has a list of ineligible vehicles that it does not accept. Here is the complete list of ineligible vehicles for Lyft:

• • • •  Chevrolet: Aveo, Aveo5, Metro, Volt
      • Daewoo: Lanos; Ford: Fiesta
      • Hyundai: Accent
      • Kia: Rio, Rio 5-Door
      • Rio Cinco, Rio5
      • Mazda: Mazda 2
      • MINI: Cooper, Cooper Clubman, Cooper Countryman, Cooper Countryman Hybrid, Cooper Hardtop, Cooper S, Cooper S Clubman, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman All4, Cooper S Countryman All4 Hybrid, Cooper S Countryman Hybrid, Cooper S Hardtop
      • Pontiac: G3
      • Scion: xD

 

• Exterior & interior requirements

 

All Lyft vehicles must not have any major cosmetic damages

 

• Title requirements

 

Lyft does not accept vehicles with rebuilt or salvage titles. 

 

• Inspection requirements

 

Any vehicle must pass an inspection test before being eligible to work for Lyft.

 

• Drivers requirements

 

While this article focusses on Lyft vehicle's requirements, it is important to note that not every driver is eligible to work for Lyft.

If you would like to join Lyft, you have to pass a background check, and you must have your name listed on the insurance policy.

 

• LyftXL car requirements 

 

 

LyftXL is the second service option that Lyft has. It seats six passengers, and it is a minivan. LyftXL costs the passenger more than the regular Lyft option; therefore, if you work as a LyftXL driver, expect to make more money than a regular Lyft driver. 

In general, LyftXL can cost about 1.5 times the regular Lyft price. Some of the main requirements for the LyftXL cars are:

 

• Seating requirements

 

All LyftXL vehicles must seat at least six passengers

 

• Model requirements

 

LyftXL has the same model requirements as the regular Lyft cars

 

• Order requests options

 

A LyftXL driver has the option to access both regular Lyft and LyftXL requests. It is important to note here that a LyftXL driver can not choose ONLY to accept LyftXL rides. That's why, as a LyftXL driver, you should not be frustrated with receiving cheaper requests since this is part of the deal.

 

 

• Lyft LUX car requirements 

 

Lyft LUX is the third service option that Lyft offers. It is a more luxurious option that costs the passengers more money while seating only four people.

That been said, all Lyft LUX vehicles must be at least entry-level luxury models, usually sedans. Here is the detailed list of Lyft LUX requirements:

 

• Seating requirements

 

All Lyft LUX vehicles must seat at least four passengers.

 

• Model requirements 

 

While most Lyft LUX vehicles must be 2014 or newer, this requirement might change from city to city.

 

• Lyft LUX vehicle's examples

 

Some of Lyft LUX vehicles examples include most luxury brands like:

• • • Acura: MDX, MDX Hybrid, RLX, RLX Hybrid
    • Audi: A4 Allroad, A6, A7, A8, E-Tron, Q5, Q7, Q8, S5 Sportback, S6, S7, S8, SQ5
    • Bentley: Bentayga, Continental Flying Spur, Mulsanne
    • BMW: 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, ActiveHybrid 5, ActiveHybrid 7, M5, M6 Gran Coupe, X3, X4, X5, X5 M, X5 Hybrid, X6, X6 M, X7.

Follow this link for the full list of qualified vehicles for Lyft XL

 

• Lyft Black & LUX Black XL car requirements 

 

 

The last and most luxurious option for Lyft is the LUX Black and the Black XL. They cost the top price between all of Lyft's options. 

If you are working for Lyft, expect to earn the maximum if you are part of the Black LUX and Black XL group.

That been said, this option requires very specific requirements that are the most strict between all the options. These requirements include:

 

• Model requirements

 

All Black LUX and Black XL vehicles must be 2016 or newer.

 

• Exterior & interior requirements

 

All Black LUX and Black XL vehicles must be painted in black. Besides, they must have a leather-like or leather material. They do not allow any cloth seating in this Lyft option.

 

• Drivers requirements

 

Even if you were able to have a qualified vehicle, there are certain drivers requirements that you need to make sure you have before being able to work for this option.

All Black LUX and Black XL drivers must maintain a rating of 4.7 or higher, on average. 

Black LUX and Black XL vehicles examples

There is a full list of vehicles that are eligible for this Lyft category. Some of these vehicles include:

• • • Acura: RLX, RLX Hybrid
    • Audi: A6, A7, A8, E-Tron, Q7, Q8, S5 Sportback, S6, S7, S8, SQ5
    • Bentley: Bentayga, Continental Flying Spur, Mulsanne
    • BMW: 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, ActiveHybrid 5, ActiveHybrid 7, M5, M6 Gran Coupe, X4, X5, X5 M, X5 Hybrid, X6, X6 M, X7
    • Cadillac: CT6, CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS

What is Lyft's vehicle inspection?

Like any other ridesharing company, Lyft has its vehicle inspection that your car has to pass. 

This inspection has to be done by a state-certified mechanic. You can get all the details about what to inspect when you apply.

Here are some of the main areas the inspection includes:

 

• Tires inspection 

 

The first thing the mechanic should inspect is the tread in your tires. Using the penny technique, you can check if the tires have sufficient tread. Insert a penny between the tire tread, and the penny should reach Lincoln's head.

 

• Windows inspection

 

All the vehicles windows must roll up and down without any problem. Also, they must not have any major cracks or any cracks that might affect the driver's vision.

 

• A/C and heat inspection

 

For your vehicle to pass Lyft's inspection test, the A/C and heating system should be functioning properly.

 

• Wipers inspection

 

Your mechanic must confirm that the wipers are in good condition and they function just fine

 

• Lights inspection

 

All lights must be functioning and in good condition. This includes all lights: the headlights, the turn signals, the reverse lights, and the brake lights.

 

• Horn inspection

 

Your mechanic must also inspect the horn and make sure it is functioning properly

 

• Seat belts inspection

 

All seatbelts must function properly and must be installed on all seats, including the driver's seat.

 

• Body inspection

 

Lyft will not accept any vehicle with major body damages or dents

 

• Muffler and tailpipe inspection

 

The mechanic should confirm that your muffler and tailpipe meet the state's standards in your area. 

Frequently asked questions related to Lyft's car requirements

In addition to the main Lyft car requirements, here is the list of the frequently asked questions related to this topic:

 

• What will happen if my car gets too old?

 

Lyft performs a yearly review of all vehicles. When a certain vehicle gets too old, the system will automatically disqualify it. 

For example, if your city requires that a certain Lyft vehicle has to be 2006 or newer, the following year, this requirement will change to 2007 or newer. If your car is 2006, it will be disqualified from working for Lyft, and therefore, you would have to either buy a new car, rent or lease a different one. 

Lyft provides a couple of months' heads up for any vehicle that is due for renewal. Therefore, keep an eye on your messages through the app or the email to stay up to date and not be surprised.

 

• My vehicle got some damage recently, can I still work for Lyft?

 

Answering this question depends heavily on the person who is inspecting you. If the mechanic mentioned that you have major damage in your vehicle, your vehicle will probably not pass the inspection and, therefore, not allow you to drive it in Lyft. 

In general, experts mention that a fist-sized ding in a vehicle is not considered major damage. Anything beyond that is considered major, and your vehicle might get disqualified.

 

• Are there specific permits to drive for Lyft?

 

In most United States cities, you do not need a specific permit to drive for Lyft. However, some cities do require a permit. To get a clear answer to this question, visit this page and find your state. Under your state's name, you can find specific instructions about permitting (if any).

 

• My car looks very nice, but it is not new enough to qualify for Lyft, do they have any exception?

 

Lyft does not have any exceptions when it comes to model years. If your car looks like brand new and it is old, you can not drive it for Lyft.

 

 

• Do I have to obtain specific insurance to drive for Lyft?

 

While you do not need to have specific insurance to work for Lyft, you must let your insurance company know about you working for Lyft. 

 

There are some policy gaps here. If you got involved in an accident while working for Lyft, and if your insurance company knew, they might not accept your claim. 

They might even cancel your policy in some situations. 

 

• What if my car does not qualify for Lyft?

 

If you discovered that your car does not qualify for Lyft, there are other nice options you can choose from. You can rent or lease a vehicle through Lyft.

Lyft has partnered with several car rental companies in the United States. 

There are some pros and cons of renting a car instead of buying it. When you rent a car, you do not have to worry about qualifications requirements since Lyft is taking care of all of that. 

On the other hand, renting a car costs you much more than driving your car for Lyft.