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Seattle, King County, & Tacoma 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 Seattle, King County, & Tacoma.
If you're a driver anywhere else in Washington, visit this page instead.
To sign up to drive in Seattle, King County, & Tacoma, 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.
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What you need to drive with Lyft in Seattle, King County, & Tacoma
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. 2009 or newer
  2. 4 doors
  3. 5-8 seats, including the driver's
  4. Not a taxi, stretch limousine, or rental vehicle
  5. Not titled as salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt or any other equivalent classification
See if your vehicle qualifies for premium ride types to earn more on each ride.
Driver requirements
  1. Valid driver’s license (A temporary license is also acceptable.*)
  2. 25 or older
  3. Pass a driver screening, which reviews your driving history and criminal background check. Learn more about Washington's background check standards.
  4. Any smartphone that can download and run the Lyft Driver app. See phone software recommendations.
Document requirements
Required documents before being approved:
  1. Driver profile photo: Learn how to take the best photo.
  2. Vehicle Registration (out-of-state vehicle registration is also acceptable)
  3. Personal vehicle insurance. The following insurance types are not accepted:
    1. For-Hire insurance.
    2. Commercial insurance.
    3. Commercial insurance certificate.
    4. Declaration page.
  5. Vehicle inspection
Note: If your vehicle registration is from Texas, you must provide the actual vehicle registration document. Texas vehicle registration stickers are not permitted.
Vehicle inspection
Drivers in Seattle, King County, and Tacoma are required to pass a vehicle inspection:
  1. Find an approved mechanic here.
  2. Print this form and have the mechanic complete it with their inspection.
  3. Once completed, upload your inspection to your Lyft Driver app.
To upload your inspection form:
  1. Open the Lyft Driver app's menu.
  2. Tap on 'Account.'
  3. Tap 'Documents.'
We recommend calling ahead to confirm price and availability.
Documents you'll need after being approved
These items are required by local ordinance for all rideshare drivers in your area.
Additional documents to drive in nearby regions
Emblem requirements
Display the following in your vehicle:
Lyft emblem
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.
Example of vehicle decal placement in middle top of windshield.
Drivers are required by the King County and the City of Seattle to display the Lyft emblem (pictured below) while in driver mode. You'll receive your Lyft emblem at an inspection event or in the mail. The Lyft emblem should be displayed in the lower corner of your windshield on the passenger side every time you enter driver mode. Make sure to remove the emblem when you are not in driver mode.
Image of the Lyft emblem.
If you didn't receive your emblem or need a new one, place an order in your Lyft Driver app or Dashboard. While waiting for it to arrive, you may print a temporary emblem.
King County and City of Seattle For-Hire Permit
All TNC drivers are required to carry a For-Hire Permit and display a TNC Vehicle Decal in Seattle, King County and SeaTac Airport.
Lyft will submit an application on your behalf for your For-Hire Permit and TNC Vehicle Decal. Once approved, Lyft will let you know your permit and decal have been issued and you must pick them up at King County Licensing within 30 days.
The address is King County Licensing, King Street Center, Customer Service Center South Lobby, 201 South Jackson Street #206, Seattle WA 98104.
Please note that For-Hire Permit applications can take up to 2 to 4 weeks to process. You can operate as a driver in Seattle and King County while your application is processing. However, you may receive a citation if you pick up passengers at SeaTac Airport without a For-Hire Permit and/or TNC decal. Lyft will renew your For-Hire Permit on your behalf with King County. Make sure all the following are up-to-date in your Lyft Driver app, so we can process your application quickly:
  1. Driver’s license
  2. Vehicle insurance
  3. Vehicle inspection
  4. Vehicle registration
For-Hire Permit
This is an example of the King County / SEA For-Hire Permit.
King county and City of Seattle TNC vehicle decal
When you receive your For-Hire Permit from King County, you'll also be given a green TNC decal. This should be placed in your windshield and kept there at all times while in driver mode.
TNC Decal
This is a sample Seattle TNC Decal.
City of Seattle and Washington State Business License
All drivers in Seattle, King County, and Tacoma must obtain two unique business licenses: one for the City of Seattle and one for Washington State. You can apply online or through the mail.
Additional business licenses needed to drive in nearby regions:
City of Seattle business license
City of Seattle Business License example
Defensive Driving Certificate
All drivers in King County, Seattle, and Tacoma are required to take the NSC Defensive Driving course. If you have previously completed the NSC Defensive Driving course, no need to take it again, simply upload your completion certificate to your Lyft Driver app. To add documents in the app, tap 'Account' in the main menu, then 'Documents.
Note: The course must be completed on a computer, and cannot be completed on a mobile phone.
If you have not previously completed the course, follow the instructions below:
  1. Visit http://www.safetyserve.com/LYFT.
  2. Select "New Student," and then "New Student Registration."
  3. Type in LYFTDDC as your access code and submit.
  4. Choose a login ID and password on the registration page, and submit. NOTE: Make sure to use the phone number and email address linked with your Lyft account so we are able to verify your completion of the course.
  5. On the “My Courses” page, select “Safety,” and then “NSC Defensive Driving 10th Edition R3.”
  6. Complete the course, and upload your confirmation to your Lyft Driver app.
If you've already taken the course and need help accessing your certificate, contact the course provider, Safety Serve, at 1-800-775-1484.
This is an example of the certificate of completion for the NSC Defensive Driving Course.
King County and City of Seattle Quiz
All drivers are required to complete the online King County and City of Seattle Quiz. You can access the quiz in the 'Tutorials' tab of your Lyft Driver app or Dashboard:
  1. Go to your Account.
  2. Tap 'Tutorials'
  3. Tap 'Seattle Quiz'
We'll also email you the link after you've applied to drive.
The quiz takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and you'll need to score 80% to pass. The results will automatically be uploaded to your account upon completion. You'll receive an email with next steps shortly after passing the quiz.
TNC Driver Fitness Self-Certification
Washington drivers must self-certify they are physically and mentally fit to drive. You can self-certify in the app by opening the main menu and tapping 'Account,' then 'Documents.'
Local Business Licenses
City of Tacoma Business License (Tacoma only)
If you pick up passengers using the Lyft app in Tacoma, WA, you are required to get a local business license. You can apply for a City of Tacoma Business License here.
This is an example of the Tacoma Business License.
Everett Business License
If you pick up passengers using the Lyft app in Everett, WA, you are required to get a local business license. You can apply online or through the mail. Find out more on the City of Everett's Website.
Thurston County Business Licenses (Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey, and Yelm)
If you pick up passengers using the Lyft app in Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey or Yelm you are required to get a local business license. You can apply online and learn more by following these links:
  1. City of Olympia
  2. City of Tumwater
  3. City of Lacey
  4. City of Yelm
Hourly driver mode limits
In addition to Lyft's mandatory break requirement, Seattle & King County regulations require that drivers:
  1. Take a 10-hour break after being in driver mode for 12 total hours within a 15-hour period
  2. Take a 10-hour break after being in driver mode for 12 consecutive hours within a 24-hour period
Minimum rates for Seattle
For trips that begin in the City of Seattle, drivers will earn the greater of $5.81/trip OR $0.66/min + $1.55/mile regardless of whether the trip ends in the City limits or not.
For trips that begin outside the City of Seattle but end within City limits, the same rates will apply for the part of the trip that took place within City limits.
For other benefits that you will receive as a Washington driver, please visit the Washington Driver Information page.
Suggested 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
Know your insurance
Review Lyft's coverage here.
Moving to or from Seattle, King County, & Tacoma
If you're already a driver in a different state, and you're moving to Seattle, King County, & Tacoma, send us a message with the following info:
  1. A clear photo of your driver's license
  2. A clear photo of your vehicle registration (out-of-state vehicle registration is also acceptable)
  3. A clear photo of your personal vehicle insurance
  4. City of Seattle approved vehicle inspection
Drivers who are active duty military and their dependents can have out-of-state vehicle documents. Select 'Contact us' below to verify your or your spouse's active military duty status.
Note: If your vehicle registration is from Texas, you must provide the actual vehicle registration document. Texas vehicle registration stickers are not permitted.
Moving from Seattle, King County, & Tacoma to a different state? Find your new market here to see what steps you’ll need to take.

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