Maryland 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 Maryland.

To apply to drive in Maryland, 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.

Skip to:

1. What you need to drive with Lyft in Maryland
2. 1. Vehicle requirements
   2. Driver requirements
   3. Document requirements
   4. Emblem requirements
3. Maryland driver regulations
4. 1. Hourly driver mode limits
   2. Virginia rides
   3. Ft. Meade access
   4. Best practices
5. Know your insurance
6. Moving to or from Maryland

What you need to drive with Lyft in Maryland

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 to upload your documents. To add documents in the app, tap 'Account' in the main menu, then 'Documents.

Vehicle requirements

1. 2013 or newer
2. 4 doors
3. 5-8 seats, including the driver's
4. Not a taxi, stretch limousine, or non-Express Drive rental vehicle
5. Not titled as salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt or any other equivalent classification
6. Not subject to any open safety recalls issued by a vehicle manufacturer or posted online by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

To self-certify:

1. Open the app menu and tap 'Vehicles and Devices.'
2. Tap ‘Your Vehicles’ and select the vehicle you want to update.
3. Under the ‘Manage Car’ section, tap ‘View documents.’
4. Select ‘Vehicle recall certification.’
5. Select your applicable recall statement from the drop down list.
6. Check the self-certification box.

Vehicle safety recalls

To self-certify:

1. Open the app menu and tap 'Vehicles and Devices.'
2. Tap ‘Your Vehicles’ and select the vehicle you want to update.
3. Under the ‘Manage Car’ section, tap ‘View documents.’
4. Select ‘Vehicle recall certification.’
5. Select your applicable recall statement from the drop down list.
6. Check the self-certification box.

Check for any open vehicle recalls here.

Rental vehicles must be rented through the Express Drive program to be approved for use on the Lyft platform.

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Driver requirements

1. Valid driver’s license — Temporary or out-of-state licenses are also acceptable.
2. You must be 25 years or older to drive.
3. Pass a driver screening, which reviews your driving history and criminal background check. Learn more about driver screenings.
4. Any smartphone that can download and run the Lyft Driver app. See phone software recommendations.
5. Transportation Network Operator (TNO) license — Maryland drivers must provide consent during the application process, and Lyft will apply for the license on your behalf.
6. 1. You may not be able to give rides in Maryland if you do not have a REAL ID driver’s license. Learn more about REAL IDs and the process to obtain one.

*Only drivers with a non-temporary DC, MD, or VA driver's license are eligible for pickups originating in DC. Temporary licenses will not be accepted.

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Document requirements

1. Driver profile photo: Learn how to take the best photo
2. Vehicle registration
3. Personal vehicle insurance
4. Virginia, Maryland, or D.C. State Vehicle Inspection Certificate
5. 1. Verify your vehicle has been inspected
6. Vehicle recall self-certification
7. TNO License

Virginia, Maryland, or D.C. State Vehicle Inspection Certificate

You are required to have your vehicle inspected. Your vehicle inspection must be from one of the following states, and must be an official state inspection (no emissions inspections):

1. Maryland
2. Virginia

We recommend contacting your local mechanic to confirm they offer state inspections. See a list of locations that will complete a Maryland State Inspection for your vehicle here.

Inspections are valid until the marked expiration date. If no expiration date is marked, Lyft requires a new inspection one year after the inspection date.

Note: Maryland regulations require that vehicles 10 years or older be inspected every 6 months.

Already have a completed inspection form? Submit it through the Lyft Driver app.

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Verify your vehicle has been inspected

You can use the Maryland State Police lookup tool to verify car has passed a Maryland State Inspection in the last year. To do so, visit this website and search your vehicle's VIN.

If your vehicle has an approved vehicle inspection, the result will say 'Pass.'

If you don't have a copy of your state inspection document, take a screenshot of your vehicle's inspection info on the Maryland State Police website. The photo must include the VIN, inspection date, and result. Upload the screenshot as your state inspection document in your Lyft Driver app. To add documents in the app, tap 'Account' in the main menu, then 'Documents.

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Vehicle recall self-certification

If you are a driver in Maryland, you are required to self-certify that your vehicle(s) is either:

1. Free of any open recalls issued by the vehicle’s manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), or
2. There is an unavailability of parts for an open recall issued by the vehicle’s manufacturer or NHTSA, and you agree to remediate the recall as soon as practicable on a date not to exceed 90 days from the availability of parts.

To self-certify:

1. Open the app menu and tap 'Vehicles and Devices.'
2. Tap ‘Your Vehicles’ and select the vehicle you want to update.
3. Under the ‘Manage Car’ section, tap ‘View documents.’
4. Select ‘Vehicle recall certification.’
5. Select your applicable recall statement from the drop down list.
6. Check the self-certification box.

Check for any open vehicle recalls here.

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TNO License

All Maryland drivers must apply for a TNO (Transportation Network Operator) license. You'll be prompted to give consent in the Driver app, and Lyft will apply for a TNO license on your behalf.

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Emblem requirements

Drivers are required to display the Lyft emblem while in driver mode. The Lyft emblem is Lyft’s official trade dress. It helps passengers and law enforcement identify your vehicle.

The Lyft emblem should be displayed in the lower corner of the rear passenger side window. Make sure to remove the emblem when you are not in driver mode.

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, order one in your Lyft Driver app or Dashboard. While waiting for it to arrive, you may print a temporary emblem.

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Maryland driver regulations

Be sure to follow these rules when giving rides in Maryland, and keep an eye on your email for important updates from Lyft.

If you are a Maryland Driver, you agree that if Lyft permanently deactivates you from the Lyft Platform, you will return or destroy all Lyft trade dress in your possession. You also agree to notify Lyft within three business days if you are convicted or arrested for a violent crime, felony, sexual offense, drug-related offense, or any other offense that may reasonably bear on your fitness as a driver.

In addition to reporting a concern or problem directly to Lyft here, passengers may also register a complaint or concern by contacting the Maryland Public Service Commission here.

Skip to:

1. Hourly driver mode limits
2. Virginia rides
3. Ft. Meade access
4. Best practices

Hourly driver mode limits

In Maryland, Lyft’s standard time limit for driver mode applies. See Lyft's mandatory break and time limits for more information.

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Virginia rides

The state of Virginia requires you to complete a safety inspection.

If you haven't already, upload your registration and inspection certificate (with your VIN and inspection date clearly visible) in the Lyft Driver app.

Here's an example of what the inspection certificate looks like:

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Ft. Meade access

Ft. Meade, like any other military base, has access restrictions. If your access to the base has been restricted, please visit the Ft. Meade Visitor Center at 902 Reece Rd, Fort Meade, MD 20755. Military base access restrictions are not controlled by Lyft.

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Best practices

1. Display all required emblems and placards
2. Always have your driver’s license and insurance document
3. Follow all airport rules
4. Don't accept street hails
5. Don't accept cash for rides
6. Don't wait in taxi lines

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Know your insurance

Review Lyft's coverage here.

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Moving to or from Maryland

If you're already a driver in a different state, and you're moving to Maryland, send us a message with the following info:

1. The date you're moving
2. Your new shipping address
3. A clear photo of your vehicle registration*
4. A clear photo of your Maryland or Virginia vehicle inspection**

*If you were already required to upload your vehicle registration when you became a driver, you do not need to send it in again.

**If you were already required to upload a Maryland or Virginia inspection when you became a driver, you do not need to send it in again. See more details here.

You will also be required to sign the Maryland TNO application if you have not already. See more details here.

Please note: vehicles in Maryland must be from 2007 or newer.

Moving from Maryland to a different state? Find your new market here to see what steps you’ll need to take.

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