Rate card earnings
In most regions, driver earnings are based on Upfront Pay. Driver earnings are based on a rate card if Upfront Pay isn't available or a ride changes significantly.
To see your ride earnings for a ride, go to the 'Driving History' tab in your Dashboard.
When your ride earnings are calculated based on your Rate Card, they include a ride’s:
- Base fare
- Time
- Distance
You’ll keep 100% of your tips and have opportunities to earn bonuses.
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Ride earnings calculation when a rate card applies
When your ride earnings are calculated based on your Rate Card, the rates are based on the:
- Ride mode.
- Region where the passenger is picked up.
This calculation includes a base fare, time, and distance.
- Base fare: the amount you earn for starting a ride
- Time: the amount you earn for every minute you drive
- Distance: the amount you earn for every mile you drive
The calculation for your earnings starts one minute after you tap ‘Arrive’ in your app. If you pick up a passenger within one minute of arriving, the calculation starts when you tap ‘Pick up.’
After you cancel or drop off a ride, we no longer track the time and distance of the trip. If you accidentally cancel or end a ride early, you should ask your passenger to request a new ride.
Check out The Driver’s Guide to Pay to learn how to maximize your earnings.
City rates
To check the rate card for a specific ride, type the pickup address into the search bar above the map.
The rate card in your Dashboard shows your city’s rates for each ride type.
Select different ride types (such as Lyft Lux or Lyft XL) to compare how much you’ll earn for each type of ride.
Each ride’s rate is calculated based on the requested ride type. For example, if you accept a standard Lyft ride, you'll earn the standard rate. If you accept a Lux ride, you'll earn the Lux rate.
Tips
You receive 100% of your tips from passengers.
Passengers can tip in their Lyft app after the ride ends. It’s also fine for them to tip with cash.
Bonuses
Some bonuses are added directly to your ride earnings for certain rides—such as Ride Streaks.
Your Lyft app will let you know if you’re eligible for a bonus. Follow the instructions in your app to get the bonus.
Passenger payments
Passengers are charged an upfront price for their rides. This amount is based on the estimated time and distance of the ride, plus any applicable tolls.
This upfront price also includes Lyft’s fees and any third-party fees. These fees don’t impact the amount you earn, and won’t be reflected in your 'Driving History' tab.
Passengers may also be charged for cancellations and no-shows.
When you get paid
Your earnings are automatically transferred to your bank account every Tuesday.
If you don’t want to wait for your weekly payout, you can get paid sooner with Express Pay or Lyft Direct.
Minimum & maximum fares
If you’re a Washington driver, learn more about minimum rates in your state.
There’s a minimum and maximum fare limit for every ride. These limits are based on the Rate Card for the region where you pick up the passenger.
Minimum fare
The minimum fare is the lowest amount you can earn for a ride. If a trip is very short, your earnings will be rounded up to this amount.
Maximum fare
The maximum fare is the highest amount you can earn for a ride. The Lyft app prevents passengers from requesting a ride if it would exceed the maximum fare.
Passengers should choose a different form of transportation for long-distance travel. Unusually long rides may be subject to review.
Subregion rates
Some cities have subregions with different rates. If you pick up a ride in a subregion, your ride earnings will be based on those rates.
You can see any subregion rates for your area in your Rate Card.
If a bonus requires a certain number of rides in your region, rides that start inside a subregion will also count toward the requirement.
California guaranteed rates
For all rides picked up in California, you’re guaranteed to earn:
- At least 120% of the applicable minimum wage for booked time
- An additional 34 cents per booked mile
Each ride's booked time and distance is counted from the moment you accept a ride request, until you drop off your passenger.
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