What Are Requirements for Lyft Drivers?
When your Lyft driver gets into an accident that injuries you or damages your property, your St. Louis Lyft accident lawyer will conduct a full investigation to determine what exactly happened. One of the aspects of your accident that we’ll investigate is if your driver met the full requirements of the rideshare company at the time of the accident.
Before 2017, rideshare apps weren’t allowed in Missouri. HB 130 in Missouri made it possible for rideshare apps, like Lyft, to be available in cities like St. Louis, and put extra regulations in place for drivers. Lyft is required to hold a permit to operate in the state and must pay an annual permit fee of $5,000 to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The app must display a picture of the driver picking up their rider as well as their license plate so their identity can be confirmed. The app must issue an electronic receipt to the rider. In terms of hiring drivers, Lyft must process hires by requesting this information from them:
- Name, address, age, and driver’s license
- Vehicle registration and automobile liability insurance
- National criminal background check
- Check of the U.S. Dept. of Justice National Sex Offender website
- Driving history report
If the driver is not at least 25 years old, doesn’t have a valid license, registration, or insurance, or has more than three moving violations in the past three years, then they cannot be a driver for the company. Other disqualifiers include one major violation in the past three years, being on the sex offender list, or, in the last seven years, a conviction of driving under the influence, fraud, sexual offense, theft, or using a motor vehicle to commit a felony.
On top of these regulations, Lyft also has requirements for its St. Louis drivers. Their car must be a 2008 model or newer, have four doors, and seat between five and eight people—including the driver. The Lyft emblem must be displayed on the lower right-hand side of the windshield while on duty. Entering airports requires extra precautions, as Missouri airports are strict about the conduct of rideshares on their property. Mainly, Lyft drivers must stay in the staging area if they have not accepted a ride request.