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Washington D.C. airport information for drivers

To ensure a smooth airport experience for you and your passengers, make sure to familiarize yourself with the rules below. Tap each link to jump to detailed instructions on each section:
The following information applies to all airports:
Airport officials will issue administrative citations to drivers who do not follow the rules. You are responsible for paying any tickets you receive for violating airport rules and regulations.
Lyft emblem
  1. Keep your Lyft emblem displayed in your lower right hand (passenger side) of your front windshield at all times while giving Lyft rides.
  2. If you are giving a non-Lyft ride at the airport, make sure to remove your emblem before entering airport property.
  3. If you’ve just been approved to drive, you should receive your Lyft emblem shortly. If you didn't get one or need a new one, place an order in your Dashboard. While waiting for it to arrive, you may print a temporary emblem.
Image of the Lyft emblem.
Conduct at the airport
  1. Do not stop or pull over in crosswalks.
  2. Do not park in red zones or taxi/shuttle areas unless otherwise specified in the rules above.
  3. Always follow instructions given by airport personnel.
  4. If you run into any trouble, like a regulatory citation, contact us. We're here to help 24/7.
Waybill
  1. Airport authorities may ask you for a waybill, which shows your latest ride. Click here to learn how to access your waybill.
Permitted Airports
Drivers on the Lyft platform are responsible for knowing and following all airport regulations in order to avoid receiving administrative citations from the airport. Lyft is available at the following airports in Washington, D.C.:
Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Map of Dulles International Airport
Waiting for requests:
  1. Wait in the designated staging area (TNC Lot). Only drivers within the designated staging area (TNC Lot pictured above) are added to the queue.
  2. The queue is first in-first out. The driver who has been waiting within the staging area in driver mode the longest gets the next request. Your physical location within the staging area does not affect your spot in the queue, but if you exit the staging area or log out of driver mode, you will lose your spot.
  3. If the staging area is full, you must leave the airport. You may not wait for requests anywhere else on airport property or use any other parking lots while in driver mode.
  4. Passenger cancellations don't affect your place in line. If your passenger cancels on you, head back to the staging area. As long as you're back within 15 minutes, you'll be placed at the front of the queue.
  5. Driver cancellations and missed requests do affect your place in line. You can miss or decline up to 3 rides before getting placed at the back of the queue.
  6. You can view your place in line in the app. Learn how to view your position in the queue here.
Pickups:
  1. Pick up passengers from the lower level pickup area (3rd curb) in zones 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F or 3G
    1. The Lyft app moves the passenger's pin to an approved pickup area. If you're having trouble finding each other, make sure you have both gone to the pin's location and are on the correct level of the airport.
  3. Do not wait or circle back at the airport if the passenger is delayed. IAD requires you to proceed to the TNC lot.
  4. Pre-dispatch: While waiting for requests, you may receive an SMS and an in-app note directing you to head toward the terminal. While en route, you should receive a ride request. If you do not, head back to the staging area. As long as you're back within 15 minutes, you'll be placed at the front of the queue. More information on pre-dispatch can be found here.
  5. Short ride bump: If you receive a request for a short ride from the airport after waiting in the queue, you may qualify for a higher queue position after you drop off your passenger. You’ll receive an SMS after dropping off to let you know you have the option to return to the staging area for a preferred spot in the queue. Please note, if you give a ride before returning to the staging area, you may still qualify for a preferred spot in line.
Drop-offs:
  1. Drop off passengers at the pickup zone on the arrivals level at locations 3D–3E. Do not drop off riders on the departure level.
  2. Do not wait at the airport after drop-off. If you'd like to accept additional requests, you must leave airport property and head to the TNC lot.
Ronald Reagan Airport (DCA)
This image is a map of the Ronald Reagan airport. It includes staging lot, pickup, and drop-off areas.
Waiting for requests:
  1. Wait in the designated staging area Only drivers within the designated staging area (pictured above) are added to the queue.
  2. You may see multiple airport staging lots in the app. You can choose any available lots and it won't affect your place in the queue. The app will show how many drivers are waiting in each staging lot.
  3. The queue is first in-first out. The driver who has been waiting within the staging area in driver mode the longest gets the next request. Your physical location within the staging area does not affect your spot in the queue, but if you exit the staging area or log out of driver mode, you will lose your spot.
  4. If the staging area is full, you must leave the airport. You may not wait for requests anywhere else on airport property or use any other parking lots while in driver mode.
  5. Passenger cancellations don't affect your place in line. If your passenger cancels on you, head back to the staging area. As long as you're back within 15 minutes, you'll be placed at the front of the queue.
  6. Driver cancellations and missed requests do affect your place in line. You can miss or decline up to 3 rides before getting placed at the back of the queue.
  7. You can view your place in line in the app. Learn how to view your position in the queue here.
Pickups:
  1. Terminal 1: Pick up passengers in the designated areas on the second curb, in front of the terminal on Aviation Circle.
  2. Terminal 2: Pick up passengers on the lower level in the designated areas on the second curb by doors 6, 7, and 8.
    1. As you approach Terminal 2, follow the signs to turn right and arrive at the inner side of the second curb (rideshare area).
  4. The Lyft app moves the passenger's pin to an approved pickup area. If you're having trouble finding each other, make sure you have both gone to the pin's location and are on the correct level of the airport.
  5. Do not wait or circle back at the airport if the passenger is delayed. DCA requires you to proceed to the TNC lot.
  6. Pre-dispatch: While waiting for requests, you may receive an SMS and an in-app note directing you to head toward the terminal. While en route, you should receive a ride request. If you do not, head back to the staging area. As long as you're back within 15 minutes, you'll be placed at the front of the queue. More information on pre-dispatch can be found here.
  7. Short ride bump: If you receive a request for a short ride from the airport after waiting in the queue, you may qualify for a higher queue position after you drop off your passenger. You’ll receive an SMS after dropping off to let you know you have the option to return to the staging area for a preferred spot in the queue. Please note, if you give a ride before returning to the staging area, you may still qualify for a preferred spot in line.
Drop-offs:
  1. Terminal 1: Drop off passengers in the designated area on the second curb, on Aviation Circle.
  2. Terminal 2: Drop off passengers on the upper level at departures, at the passenger's airline of choice.
  3. Do not wait at the airport after drop-off. If you'd like to accept additional requests, you must leave airport property and head to one of the staging areas.

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