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Washington Driver Information

If you're a driver (or are applying to drive) in Seattle, King County, or Tacoma, visit this page instead.
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 Washington.
To sign up to drive in Washington, 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 Washington
If you're a driver in Seattle, King County, or Tacoma, visit this page instead.
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 titled as salvage, non-repairable, rebuilt, or any other equivalent classification
  5. Not a taxi, stretch limousine, or non-Express Drive rental vehicle
See if your vehicle qualifies for premium ride types to earn more on each ride.
In select cities, you can rent a car through Express Drive with standard insurance included. Rental vehicles must be rented through the Express Drive program to be approved for use on the Lyft platform.
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 Washington's background check standards.
  4. Any smartphone that can download and run the Lyft Driver app. See phone software recommendations.
Document requirements
  1. Driver profile photo: Learn how to take the best photo
  2. Personal vehicle insurance. The following insurance types are not accepted:
    1. For-Hire insurance.
    2. Commercial insurance.
    3. Commercial insurance. certificate.
    4. Declaration page.
  4. TNC Driver Fitness Self-Certification
The following insurance types are not accepted:
  1. For-Hire insurance
  2. Commercial insurance
  3. Commercial insurance certificate
  4. Declaration page
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.'
Emblem requirements
Drivers are encouraged 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.
Shows where to place Lyft emblem on front windshield.
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’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 Lyft Driver app or Dashboard. While waiting for it to arrive, you may print a temporary emblem.
Washington driver regulations
Be sure to follow these rules when giving rides in Washington, and keep an eye on your email for important updates from Lyft.
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Hourly driver mode limits
In Washington, Lyft’s standard time limit for driver mode applies.
Washington background check standards policy
Individuals in the state of Washington may be ineligible to drive on the Lyft platform if their background check results reveal:
  1. More than three minor driving violations in the last three years, such as:
    1. Traffic light violations
    2. Minor speeding tickets
    3. Minor traffic violations
    4. Non-injury accidents
  3. One major driving violation in the last three years, such as:
    1. Driving while license is suspended or revoked
    2. Serious speeding violations
    3. Failure to stop at scene of accident
  5. One serious driving violation in the last seven years, such as:
    1. Reckless driving
    2. Hit & run
    3. Racing
    4. Accident involving injury
    5. Attempting to evade law enforcement
    6. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or refusing to submit to a chemical test
  7. Any of the following criminal convictions in the last seven years:
    1. Certain drug offenses
    2. Felony drug offenses
    3. Fraud
    4. Theft
    5. Property damage
    6. Obstruction related offenses
  9. Any of the following criminal convictions at any time:
    1. Homicide (murder, manslaughter, unintentional killing)
    2. Terrorism and terroristic threats
    3. Serious obstruction of justice (treason, violation of protection order, failure to register as a sex offender, escape)
    4. Serious theft and property offenses (robbery, burglary, carjacking, arson)
    5. Any sexual offense (rape, sexual assault, prostitution, child pornography)
    6. Assault offenses (battery, strangulation, domestic violence)
    7. Disorderly behavior with violence
    8. Child and elder abuse (abandonment, endangering welfare of children)
    9. Harassment offenses (blackmail, hate crimes, stalking, threats)
    10. Kidnapping offenses (abduction, false imprisonment, human trafficking)
    11. Weapons offenses
    12. Organized crime
    13. An attempt, conspiracy, solicitation, or accessory to any of the above crimes
  11. Any outstanding or unresolved criminal proceeding, the conviction for which would result in disqualification
  12. Any outstanding or unresolved warrant for arrest
Washington Paid Sick Time
In compliance with Washington TNC laws, you will earn paid sick leave when you perform rides within the state of Washington. You will accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 40 hours spent driving with a passenger in the state.
You may use paid sick time for the following reasons:
  1. Physical or mental illness, injury, or health condition. This includes the need for a medical diagnosis, care, or treatment or preventative care.
  2. Provide care for a family member with a mental or physical illness, injury, or health condition. This includes the need for a family member’s medical diagnosis, care, or treatment or preventative care.
  3. Reasons related to domestic violence against you or a family member.
  4. Reasons related to sexual assault or stalking against you or a family member.
  5. If your family member’s school or place of care has closed by order of public official for any health-related reasons.
During a deactivation or other status that prevents you from performing services on the platform, subject to some exceptions.
Paid sick time eligibility
At this time, only drivers who give rides in Washington are eligible for paid sick and safe time. Drivers may use paid sick time during a deactivation, unless they have been deactivated due to a verified allegation of sexual and/or physical assault.
Redeeming accrued paid sick time
To access your paid sick time:
  1. Go to your Lyft Driver app.
  2. Tap the dollar amount at the top of the screen.
  3. Scroll to the bottom, and tap ‘Washington Paid Sick Time.’
You can request paid sick time once enough hours accrue.
To redeem your accrued sick time, you must have at least 4 hours of accrued sick time. A paid sick time hour is worth your total earnings divided by your total time with a rider over the past 12 calendar months. You can redeem in 4 hour increments up to your accrued paid sick time balance.
Workers compensation
Washington drivers are covered by the state workers’ compensation system as a “covered worker” like many other workers in the state. Under the program, Washington drivers will have access to insurance for injuries sustained while picking up and driving with a rider.
As a part of the workers’ compensation program, a small percentage of earnings for rides in Washington will be deducted and paid into the system, just like any other covered worker in Washington. Learn more about the program.
Minimum rates for Washington
For all trips that begin in Washington, drivers will earn the greater of $3.37/trip OR $0.38/min + $1.31/mile, regardless of whether the trip ended within Washington.
For trips starting outside of Washington, these same rates will apply for the portion of the trip that happened within state limits.
For trips that begin within 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 ended within the City limits or not.
For trips that begin outside the City of Seattle but end within City limits, these same rates will apply for the portion of the trip that happened within City limits.
Note: If you rent a vehicle through Express Drive, you’ll be subject to a $0.17 per mile deduction (or $0.44 per mile for City of Seattle rides) for any Lyft rides given using the rented vehicle. The deduction may reduce your earnings below the minimum compensation requirements set forth under Washington law.
See the below linked notice of rights for additional information.
Cancel policy for Washington
Our cancel policy for drivers applies in Washington. You’ll also need to follow the correct steps for pickups to receive a cancellation fee.
When you’re picking up a ride, you should always:
  1. Tap to arrive when you’re at your passenger’s pickup location.
  2. Wait for your passenger at their pickup location.
  3. Wait until your passenger is in your car before you tap to pick them up.
If there’s a driver conduct issue, you may not receive a cancellation fee.
If you are driving to a pickup location, and you already have a passenger in your car, you won’t receive a cancellation fee. You’re already paid for that time and mileage.
Washington no-show fees
Washington drivers get a no-show fee when a passenger isn’t at their pickup location. If this happens:
  1. Tap to arrive at the pickup location.
  2. Wait for the timer to count down to 0:00 without moving from the pickup location.
  3. Respond if the passenger contacts you.
  4. Cancel the ride by tapping 'Passenger is no-show,' then tap 'Confirm no-show.'
Drivers won't get a no-show fee if they're too far from the pickup location.
Preferred Language Translations - Notice of Rights / Deactivations
Select your preferred language to view each Notice of Rights document:
Select your preferred language to view each Deactivation Notice document:
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 Washington
If you're already a driver in a different state, and you're moving to Washington, 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
If you're a driver in Seattle, King County, or Tacoma, visit this page instead.
Moving from Washington to a different state? Find your new market here to see what steps you’ll need to take.

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