Lyft News

Improving safety and connecting our community: Nationwide Rider Verification, Restroom Finder, and more new features for drivers

Nov 19, 2024

We've listened closely to our driver community and built our latest suite of features with their needs top of mind. At the heart of these updates—from increasing peace of mind for drivers by verifying rider identities, to making it easier for drivers to take a break—is our unwavering commitment to putting our customers first.

Today, we're announcing a suite of features aimed at improving safety and connection for our driver community.

We want Lyft to be the safest way to get around. 

  • Nationwide Rider Verification. Following a successful regional pilot, our Rider Verification program is rolling out across the U.S., and we're verifying millions of riders to help drivers confirm that riders are who they say they are. Through Rider Verification, we’re holding ourselves and our entire community more accountable.

    • With Rider Verification, we're also rolling out a new accept screen experience to give drivers more rider information, including name, rating, photo, and verification badge, before they accept a ride for greater peace of mind.

  • Easier dashcam registration. Our new dashcam registration process makes it easier for drivers to register their device with Lyft. When they do, Lyft notifies riders that they may be recorded before entering the vehicle.

  • Dashcam beta program. We recently teamed up with Nexar to conduct beta testing through a program that provides dashcams to drivers. This program is part of our ongoing work to provide drivers and riders with opportunities to receive tools that help promote safety on our platform.  

  • Road safety improvements. With our newest navigation features, drivers will now be notified if they are picking up or dropping off riders in highly trafficked areas like bus or bike lanes. In addition, drivers in select markets can now see safety alerts if their route goes through a traffic enforcement or school zone.

Rider Verification

We’re making it easier for drivers to take breaks and connect to the broader driver community.

  • Restroom Finder. Now, only on Lyft, drivers can help other drivers find more reliable places to take a break. In response to driver feedback around the challenges of finding safe and accessible restrooms, our new, community-driven Restroom Finder feature allows drivers to easily discover, rate, and add restroom locations. The feature also highlights restrooms that are highly rated by Women+ Connect drivers, offering additional peace of mind for women and the non-binary community. This feature is now available in select regions, with more to come soon.

  • Real-time road alerts. Drivers can submit feedback about traffic, accidents, hazards, road closures, and more when navigating with the Lyft app. The map will display real-time alerts to help other drivers reach their destinations efficiently and safely.

Restroom Finder

"We’re working to enhance safety and connection for the Lyft community," said Michaela Smiley, Senior Director and Head of Community Safety at Lyft. "Drivers have been asking for rider verification, and we're proud to be delivering this important feature. Lyft is a community where everyone belongs—whether you’re in the driver's seat or the back seat, we'll always treat you with respect and work to improve safety on our platform."

To learn more about Lyft's comprehensive approach to safety, please visit our website.