Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) info for drivers
To create a smooth airport experience for you and your passengers, read the rules below.
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Rules for all airports
Airport officials will issue administrative citations to drivers who don’t follow the rules. If you violate airport rules or regulations, you’re responsible for paying any tickets you receive.
To help avoid a ticket, review the following information carefully.
Lyft emblem rules
At an airport, be sure to always:
- Display your Lyft emblem in the lower right hand (passenger side) of your front windshield while giving Lyft rides.
- Remove the emblem if you’re giving a non-Lyft ride.
If you’re a newly approved driver, you should receive the emblem soon. If you didn't get an emblem or need a new one, place an order in your Dashboard. While waiting for it to arrive, you may print a temporary emblem.
Airport conduct
Always follow instructions given by airport personnel.Airport officials could give you a citation if you:
- Stop or pull over in crosswalks.
- Park anywhere outside of a designated staging area or in the taxi/shuttle areas (unless otherwise specified).
- Display any form of advertising on or in your vehicle.
- Pick up or drop off in an unauthorized location.
Note: This isn’t a complete list of actions that call for citation at the airport. Always follow instructions from airport officials.
Waybill
Airport authorities may ask you for a waybill, which shows your latest ride. Learn how to access your waybill.
EWR general info
For real-time updates on last flights in, as well as operational changes, please visit EWR airport's Twitter account.
Map
Waiting for requests
Wait in the designated staging area pictured above. You’ll only get added to the queue once you're in the staging area.
If you’re going to the terminals from the staging lot and driving north, take a left onto Basilone and follow and follow the signs to the appropriate terminal.
If the staging area is full, you must leave the airport. Unless notified from within the app, you can't wait for requests anywhere else on airport property, or use any other parking lots, while in driver mode.
How the queue works
The queue is predominantly First In, First Out (FIFO), which means:
- The driver, in driver mode, who waits in the staging area for the longest amount of time, gets the next request.
- Your physical location within the staging area doesn’t affect your spot in the queue.
- If you exit the staging area or log out of driver mode, you'll lose your spot.
You can view your position in the queue in the app.
Note: FIFO may have exceptions, such as Short Ride Bump.
Cancellations
Passenger cancellations don't affect your place in line. Go back to the staging area if your passenger cancels. As long as you're back within 15 minutes, you’re placed at the front of the queue.
Driver cancellations and missed requests do affect your place in line. You can miss or cancel up to 3 rides before getting placed at the back of the queue.
Pickups
Pick up passengers from Arrivals, at your passenger’s carrier of choice. Please follow signage above external doors which notes terminal, level, and door to locate your rider.
Passenger delayed
If your passenger is significantly delayed during pickup, go back to the designated staging area. Don’t wait or circle back. Ask the passenger to cancel and request another ride when they’re ready.
Pre-dispatch
While waiting for requests, you may receive a text and/or an app notification telling you to go toward the terminal. While en route, you should receive a ride request. If you don’t, go back to the staging area. As long as you're back within 15 minutes, you'll be placed at the front of the queue.
Short ride bump
If you’ve waited in the queue, and a passenger requests a short ride from the airport, you may qualify for a higher queue position after you drop off your passenger. You'll receive a message after drop-off saying you have the option to return to the staging area for a preferred spot in the queue.
Note: If you give a ride before returning to the staging area, you may still qualify for a preferred spot in line.
Ride-Ready Zone
While you're in the staging lot, you may get a notification telling you to drive to Terminal A.
If you get a ride request while you're on the way, give the ride as normal.
If you don't get a ride request, continue to the Ride-Ready Zone in Terminal A. You can wait for a request in the pickup area for up to 15 minutes in Zones 7 and 8.
Always start in the staging area. Don’t go straight to the curb unless directed to do so by the app.
Rematch
The rematch feature matches you with additional passengers shortly before or after completing a drop-off. After you drop off a passenger, you can receive a ride request for up to 1 minute without returning to the assignment area.
If you don’t get a rematch, leave the airport immediately. Go to the staging area to accept additional airport requests.
TLC and non-TLC drivers
If you’re a New Jersey driver (non-TLC), you won’t receive ride requests in New York City. If you pick up a passenger in New Jersey, and their ride ends in New York City, return to New Jersey to receive another ride request.
Drop-offs
Go to the terminal entrance, and drop off passengers curbside at their carrier of choice.
Rematch
The rematch feature matches you with additional passengers shortly before or after completing a drop-off. After you drop off a passenger, you can receive a ride request for up to 1 minute without returning to the assignment area.
If you don’t get a rematch, leave the airport immediately. Go to the staging area to accept additional airport requests.