Skip to Content

    Lyft Direct

    Lyft Direct is a debit card and bank account designed for Lyft drivers, and gives you access to:
    • Instant payouts: Get paid instantly after every ride with no transfer fee.
    • Mobile banking: Make deposits, pay bills, transfer funds, and more.
    • Cashback rewards: Earn cashback rewards at select gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores.
    Unlike Express Pay, Lyft Direct transfers your earnings at no extra cost. Express Drive renters will receive instant payouts once their weekly rental fees are covered.
    We work with a company called Payfare to provide Lyft Direct. You’ll need to complete an application to get a Lyft Direct debit card and bank account.
    Skip to:

    Applying for Lyft Direct

    To apply for a Lyft Direct account:
    1. Open the Lyft Driver app main menu, then tap ‘Account’.
    2. Tap ‘Pay and tax info.’
    3. Tap ‘Set up Direct Pay.’
    After you confirm your personal info, Payfare will run an identity verification check. If Payfare can't confirm your info, they'll contact you for extra documents to finish your application.
    Note: This isn’t a background or credit check, and it won't impact your credit.
    By applying for Lyft Direct, you agree to Lyft Direct Rewards Terms and Conditions.
    Back to top

    Activating your card

    When you apply for Lyft Direct, you'll receive a debit card by mail within 10 business days after approval.
    To activate your Lyft Direct debit card:
    1. Open the Lyft Direct app.
    2. Tap ‘Manage card’ from the dropdown menu.
    3. Tap ‘Activate your card’, then either scan the QR code or manually enter the card details.
    4. Create your PIN.
    Once activated, you'll need to turn on automatic payments. From the Lyft driver app, select ‘Payment Info,' then ‘Manage card.'
    You can also select ‘Report a lost or stolen card’ if your debit card cannot be recovered or was never delivered. If reported lost or stolen, you can expect a new card within 5-10 business days.
    Back to top

    Linking Lyft Direct to my driver account

    Once approved, you can link your Lyft driver account to your Lyft Direct account by downloading the Lyft Direct app.
    You’ll be asked to enter the same mobile number that’s on your Lyft account.
    Payfare will text you a verification code so you can link your Lyft account. You can change your phone number later after you’ve set up your Lyft Direct account.
    Back to top

    Setting up Lyft Direct payouts

    After you’re approved, you'll receive a debit card within 10 business days.
    To set up instant payouts, you need to activate your card and link it to your Lyft Driver app.
    To activate your Lyft Direct debit card:
    1. Open the Lyft Direct app.
    2. Tap ‘Manage card’ from the menu.
    3. Tap ‘Activate your card’, then either scan the QR code or manually enter the card details.
    4. Create your PIN.
    To turn instant payouts on or off:
    1. Open the Lyft Driver app menu.
    2. Tap ‘Pay info.’
    3. Tap ‘Direct pay.’
    4. Turn on or off.
    Back to top

    Cashback rewards and discounts

    Cashback rewards

    With your Lyft Direct card, you can earn cash back on qualifying purchases at select locations:
    • Up to 7% on gas and public EV charging for top drivers*
    • 4% at restaurants
    • 1% on groceries
    • 1% on a rotating bonus category
    *The cash back amount for gas and public EV charging is determined by your Lyft Rewards tier:
    • 7% for Platinum drivers
    • 3% for Gold drivers
    • 2% for Silver drivers
    • 1% for all other cardholders
    Earn an additional 1% at select locations with Mastercard Easy Savings.
    Here's the rotating bonus category for January 1 - March 31, 2023:
    • 1% cash back from qualifying fast food merchants.
    Go to the ‘Rewards’ tab in your Lyft Direct app to see qualifying merchants for the current bonus category. You can also search for eligible places, track your reward history, and redeem rewards.

    Discounts on auto maintenance

    Drivers who use Lyft Direct can get exclusive discounts with our auto service partners.
    Jiffy Lube
    Show your Lyft Direct card to get $15 off the purchase of a Signature Service® Oil Change and tire rotation.
    National Tire and Battery and Tire Kingdom
    Show your Lyft Direct card to get one of the following discounts:
    1. 5% off tires
    2. 10% off services
    3. $16 off a conventional oil change
    4. $15 off a full synthetic oil change
    Pep Boys
    Show your Lyft Direct card to get 20% off retail purchases and services at Pep Boys locations.
    Back to top

    Debit card fees

    There are fees for some value-added services available through Lyft Direct:
    • $1 fee for digital personal checks, including postage
    • $2.50 fee plus extra surcharges at select ATMs
    • 3% foreign exchange fee
    • $5 card replacement fee
    There are no payment transfer or overdraft fees with your Lyft Direct account. You’ll never pay account maintenance or low-balance fees.
    If there isn't enough money in your account, the transaction will decline and no fees will incur.
    Refer to the Stride Bank Account Agreement for a full list of fees.
    Back to top

    Viewing or updating your info

    You can view or update your info anytime from the dropdown menu in the Lyft Direct app.
    To update your contact info:
    1. Tap ‘Settings.’
    2. Tap ‘Edit profile’ to update all that applies.
    From the 'Settings' tab, select 'Bank Details' to view your account number. You can also tap on the gear icon to see and download your bank account e-statements.
    To reset your debit card PIN, tap ‘Manage Cards’ then ‘Change your PIN’.
    If you don’t see payouts in your bank account:
    1. Tap ‘Help.’
    2. Tap ‘Payouts and transactions.’
    3. Tap ‘Payouts from Lyft.’
    4. Provide some more info if requested, then select ‘Submit.’
    If you need to update anything else, Payfare will reach out to you.
    Back to top

    Issues

    Lyft Direct is a secure bank account and is separate from your Lyft account. For banking issues related to your Lyft Direct account, you need to contact Payfare’s support team.
    You should contact Payfare if you have a question about any of these topics:
    • Bank details
    • Debit card fees
    • Payouts
    • Refunds
    • Rewards
    • Transactions
    For general Lyft Direct questions, you can get help through the Lyft Direct app. Below are ways to contact Payfare for common issues where you need to provide more info.

    Transaction disputes and refunds

    You can handle all transaction issues with Payfare through your Lyft Direct app menu:
    1. Tap ‘Dispute a transaction.’
    2. Fill out the form with your email address and transaction details.
    All refunds are processed within seven days of filing. If you don’t see the refund after seven days, contact Payfare.

    Problems with instant payouts

    If you don’t see payouts in your bank account, go to your Lyft Direct app menu, then:
    1. Tap ‘Help.’
    2. Tap ‘Payouts and transactions.’
    3. Tap ‘Payouts from Lyft.’
    4. Provide more info if requested, then tap ‘Submit.’
    Back to top

    Lyft Direct terms

    Back to top
    See also:

    Still need help?