New York City Driver Information
This page provides information about city regulations, document requirements, and insurance coverage, needed to drive with Lyft in New York City.
If you're a driver in any other city in New York State, visit this page instead.
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What you need to drive with Lyft in NYC
To drive in New York City, you must be at least 19 years of age.
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
All vehicle requirements in New York City are governed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). All vehicles must meet the following criteria:
- 2007 or newer.
- Be an active TLC Vehicle licensee.
- 4 doors.
- 5-8 seats, including the driver's .
- Not a taxi, livery, stretch limousine, or street hail livery.
- Not titled as salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt or any other equivalent classification .
Document requirements
See details and sample images of each required document below.
Driver's License
Drivers are required to have a valid driver's license. Driver's license can be from any state, as long as you have a current TLC driver license.
New York State or New Jersey vehicle registration
Drivers are required to upload a copy of their New York State or New Jersey vehicle registration.
New York State registration example
TLC inspection
You must submit one of these two:
- Blue Base sticker
- TLC inspection certificate
Inspections are valid until the marked expiration date.
TLC driver license
Drivers must have a TLC Driver License issued by the Taxi and Limousine commission (TLC).
Vehicle insurance
All drivers must have a valid vehicle insurance in their Lyft Driver app. Upon expiration, all drivers must upload their new vehicle insurance.
Document to update
- FH-1 Insurance
Ask the vehicle or fleet owner for the updated insurance documents at least 1 week prior to the expiration date on your FH-1.
What happens if you do not update your insurance documents by the expiration date? Your vehicle will be deactivated until you update the required documentation.
FH-1 Insurance
What is this document? Standard driver insurance certificate
Who needs it? All TLC vehicle drivers (you!)
Who’s name is on the document? The owner of the car
How to upload your vehicle insurance documents
When should I upload my vehicle insurance documents? Before your policy expiration date
New York City driver regulations
Make sure to follow these rules when giving rides in New York City, and to keep an eye on your email for important news and updates from Lyft.
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Hourly Driver Mode limits
In addition to Lyft's mandatory break requirement, New York City regulations prohibit drivers from:
- Providing rides for more than 10 hours in a 24-hour period. Drivers can reset the 24-hour period by taking a break for 8 hours.
- Providing rides for more than 60 total hours during a calendar week.
Only time spent in actual rides counts toward these limitations.
Best practices
- Follow all airport rules
- Don't accept street hails
- Don't accept cash for rides
- Don't wait in taxi lines
- If you run into any issues on the road, let us know
Moving to or from New York City
Note: There’s currently a waitlist for drivers in New York City because of TLC regulations. If you’re moving to New York City, or want to switch back in the future, you’ll be added to the waitlist until spots become available.
If you're already a driver in a different state, and you're moving to New York City, send us a message with the following info:
- Your name, phone number, and email address associated with your Lyft account
- The city you are currently driving in
- A photo of your New York state driver’s license
Moving from New York City to a different state? Find your new market here to see what steps you'll need to take.