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Portland Driver Information

This page provides information about vehicle, driver, and document requirements, state regulations, insurance coverage, and city-specific requirements, needed to drive with Lyft in the state of Portland.
If you drive or are applying to drive in any other city in Oregon, see Oregon state driver requirements.
To apply to drive in Portland, submit an application online or in the Lyft Driver app –– download it from the App Store (iOS) or the Google Play store. To be approved to drive, applicants must meet these requirements.
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What you need to drive with Lyft in Portland
Drivers are required to maintain current documents. Failing to update a required document before the expiration date results in temporary deactivation.
Use your Lyft Driver app or Driver Dashboard to upload your documents. To add documents in the app, tap 'Account' in the main menu, then 'Documents.
Vehicle requirements
  • 2009 or newer
  • 4 doors
  • 5-8 seats, including the driver's
  • Not a taxi, stretch limousine, or non-Express Drive rental vehicle
  • Not titled as salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt or any other equivalent classification
Portland drivers are required to keep a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and phone mount in their vehicle.
You’ll  need to have these three items at the time of inspection in order to pass. These items will be available for purchase at our approved third-party inspection locations.
See if your vehicle qualifies for premium ride types to earn more on each ride.
In select cities, you can rent a car through Express Drive with standard insurance included. Rental vehicles must be rented through the Express Drive program to be approved for use on the Lyft platform.
Driver requirements
  • Valid driver’s license — Temporary or out-of-state licenses are also acceptable
  • 25 or older
  • 1 or more consecutive years of driving history
  • Pass a driver screening, which reviews your driving history and criminal background check. Learn more about driver screenings.
  • Any smartphone that can download and run the Lyft Driver app See phone software recommendations.
  • No more than 1 minor violation on your DMV check within the past 12 months
Document requirements
Vehicle registration
Drivers must provide proof of vehicle registration and keep a non-digital copy of their vehicle registration in their vehicle. Vehicle registration expires annually.
Acceptable temporary registration documents in Portland: 
If you're waiting for your permanent registration, we accept the following temporary documents. Select a document to see an example image.
Not acceptable registration documents in Portland:
Personal vehicle insurance
Drivers are required to have personal vehicle insurance and keep a non-digital copy of their personal insurance in their vehicle. Personal vehicle insurance plans vary, and must be updated before your policy’s expiration date.
Portland insurance requirements 
Portland drivers must keep a non-digital copy of the TNC insurance in their vehicle. Print a copy of the insurance here.
TNC drivers are not required to purchase or maintain an insurance policy that provides TNC coverage. Insurance maintained by the TNC does not include collision coverage for affiliated TNC drivers unless the policy secured and maintained by the TNC expressly states otherwise.
Drivers' personal insurance may be subject to cancellation or may not provide coverage because a driver uses a vehicle in connection with a TNC. Insurance coverage is provided by the TNC on a primary basis from the first dollar of every claim unless a policy secured by the TNC expressly states otherwise.
Lyft drivers will not receive any material benefit or incentive of any kind from Lyft for securing personal TNC insurance coverage. Effective January 2nd, 2016, one year of driving experience in the United States is sufficient to meet the minimum requirement for Lyft applicant driving experience.
Vehicle inspection
Drivers are required to pass a vehicle inspection before being approved to drive. Approved drivers will need an updated vehicle inspection annually.
First-time applicants must complete an inspection at one of our certified locations. You can find an inspection location in your Lyft Driver app.
Print this form and bring it to the inspection.
You'll also have to bring the following documents:
Once completed, upload your inspection form to your Lyft Driver app.
To upload your inspection form:
  1. Open the Lyft Driver app’s menu.
  2. Tap on 'Account.'
  3. Tap 'Documents.'
Inspections are valid until the marked expiration date. If no expiration date is marked, Lyft will require a new inspection to be done one year after the inspection date.
Business License
The city or county where you live may require you to obtain a business license. Refer to your local city or county's website for these requirements.
Keep your business license in your vehicle in case the authorities ask to see it.
Select a city for local requirements:
Portland Business License
All Portland drivers must apply for a City of Portland Business License, on the City of Portland Revenue Division website.
For new applicants: For detailed instructions on how to get your City of Portland Business License, visit our Portland Business License How-To Guide.
For existing drivers: For detailed instructions on how to get your new City of Portland Business License number, visit our Guide to getting your new Portland Business License number.
Portland drivers who also give rides in Vancouver, WA should be aware of business license requirements for the City of Vancouver.
Vancouver Business License
The city of Vancouver, Washington, requires that each person or entity conducting business in the city limits obtain a city business license. The city does offer an exemption from paying the city business license fees if the business is qualified for one of the city’s nonprofit or other exemption criteria – e.g., estimates generating less than $12,000 in annual gross receipts in the city. As of March 16, 2017, the city stopped accepting Determination of Exemption Checklist forms to claim an exemption from the business license and associated fees.
The city is partnered with the Washington State Business Licensing Service (BLS) for the handling of its city business licenses – including those that are exempt from paying city business license fees. Directions to apply for the license, online or on paper, are found at www.bls.dor.wa.gov/cities/vancouver.aspx. For assistance with the application process, please contact BLS by phone (800-451-7985) or email (bls@dor.wa.gov)
Note: If you estimate generating less than $12,000 in average annual gross receipts in Vancouver city limits, you can select to be exempt from city business license fees when completing the City Addendum portion of the application. You'll still be charged a non-refundable state application fee (currently $19).
Portland For-hire Driver Permit
The City of Portland requires all drivers to obtain a Portland driver permit. Drivers are required to display these permits in their vehicle in a location visible to riders at all times while operating as a Lyft driver. The City of Portland will automatically process a permit for a driver after they are approved on the Lyft platform. No action is required by the driver.
A permanent driver permit will be mailed to the shipping address associated with the driver’s Lyft account. If you have not received your permit in two months, please contact PBOT Private For-Hire Transportation at 503-823-7483.
Failure to display the Portland driver permit is a Class D violation subject to penalties provided in Chapter 16.40.930 of the Private For-Hire Transportation Regulations.
Portland City Quiz
Portland drivers must successfully complete the Portland City Quiz training.
Take the quiz under the 'Tutorials' tab in the Lyft Driver app or Dashboard. After completing the quiz, submit your quiz score percentage in the 'Portland City Quiz' field in the 'Documents' tab of the Lyft Driver app.
Emblem requirements
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Lyft trade dress emblem
Local laws in Portland require drivers to display two Lyft emblems when in driver mode: one on the front windshield and the other on the rear windshield. See the image below for placement instructions. Failure to display your Lyft emblems may result in citations or a fine, so make sure to display them every time you drive with Lyft.
Heads up: Drivers must also clearly write their Portland Business License number on each trade dress emblem they display.
You will still need to display a rear emblem even if you have a tinted rear windshield.
Example of front and rear windshields for purpose of illustrating emblem placement.
Image of the Lyft emblem.
After you’re approved to drive, your Lyft emblems will arrive within 1-2 weeks. If you didn't get your emblems or need new ones, place an order in your Lyft Driver app or Dashboard. You can also print temporary emblems while waiting for the official ones to arrive.
Airport Displays
Keep a Lyft emblem displayed at all times while giving Lyft rides at any Oregon airport.
If you’re giving a non-Lyft ride at the airport, make sure to remove your Lyft emblem before entering airport property.
View driving requirements for specific airports in Oregon.
Portland driver regulations
Be sure to follow these rules when giving rides in Portland, and keep an eye on your email for important updates from Lyft.
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Hourly driver mode limits
Lyft and Portland regulations state that drivers may not spend more than 12 hours in driver mode within a 24-hour period. After that, drivers must take a break for a minimum of 6 consecutive hours.
See Lyft's mandatory break and time limits for more information.
Required Compliance materials
All drivers in Portland are required to keep the following materials in their vehicle while in driver mode. All materials are provided to drivers when they complete their vehicle inspection.
  • TNC vehicle insurance: Keep a physical copy of your TNC vehicle insurance in your vehicle's glove box.
  • Phone mount: We're all about safety. Your phone mount makes it easier to keep your hands on the wheel, and your eyes on the road.
  • Fire extinguisher and first aid kit: Leave both items in your trunk, in case of an emergency.
Distracted Driver law
As of October 1, 2017, Oregon's Distracted Driving law is in effect. This law applies to all drivers in the state. Learn more here.
Accident reporting in Portland
City of Portland regulations require that drivers on the Lyft platform report any accidents to both Lyft and the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) within 24 hours at 503-823-5185.
You can also report an accident online by visiting PBOT's website and selecting "File a Vehicle Crash Report" in the bottom left corner of the page.
Portland field audits
Portland regulations allow for random field audits at any time. Keep all required compliance documents with you to ensure you’re prepared in case a Portland enforcement officer requests to see them.
Best practices
  • Display all required emblems and placards
  • Always have your driver’s license and insurance document
  • Follow all airport rules
  • Don't accept street hails
  • Don't accept cash for rides
  • Don't wait in taxi lines
Know your insurance
Review Lyft's coverage here.
Moving to or from Portland
If you're already a driver in a different state, and you're moving to Portland, contact us with the following info:
  • The date you're moving
  • Your new shipping address
  • Clear photos of your vehicle registration. If you were already required to upload your vehicle registration when you became a driver, you do not need to send it in again.
Moving from Portland to a different state? Find your new market here to see what steps you’ll need to take.

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