Your peace of mind is our peace of mind.
We’re here for you every step of your Lyft experience.
KEEPING SAFETY A PRIORITY
We screen and educate every driver
If someone doesn’t pass our professionally-administered background checks, they can’t drive for Lyft. It’s as simple as that.
Drivers must submit a valid driver's license, social security number, vehicle insurance, and more (some states have additional requirements).
Our background checks include: a social security number trace, a nationwide criminal search, a county court records search, a federal criminal search, as well as a US Department of Justice 50-state sex offender registry search.
Anyone whose background check shows violent crimes, sexual offenses, or other disqualifying felonies is not allowed to drive on the platform. Learn more.
We don’t stop after just one background check. Continuous background checks allow us to quickly deactivate any drivers with disqualifying criminal convictions. In addition, we’re soon launching continuous driving record checks in partnership with SambaSafety.
In October, 2019, all drivers will participate in a Community Safety Education program that we’re developing in partnership with RAINN, the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the US.
Features to help you feel safe and secure while you ride
Match the ride
Always check that the car matches the license plate, make and model displayed in your Lyft app. Also, take a look at your driver’s photo and name.
Share your trip info
You can share your location and route with a friend or loved one. (They can also follow along in real-time.)
Contact protection
We hide your contact info for your privacy. Whenever you call and text a driver through the app, they won’t see your phone number, and you won’t see theirs.
In-ride 911
You can get emergency help right from your app. We’ll give you a clear view of your current location and vehicle info so you can quickly share with emergency dispatchers.
Predicting when someone needs help
Coming soon: In some cases, if we notice your ride has stopped too soon or for an unusual amount of time, drivers and riders will hear from Lyft. We’ll ask if you need support, and if necessary, we’ll give you the option to request emergency assistance.
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK
Ratings mean action
Riders and drivers can rate each other after every ride. Your feedback is important, so feel free to let us know if something about your experience wasn’t right.
Know that your ratings are always anonymous. We use your feedback to improve the quality of all rides — and to decide what actions should be taken for the rider or driver involved.
If you rate a driver three stars or fewer, you’ll never be matched with them again through the app. If something wasn’t right, please leave detailed feedback so we can investigate and take appropriate action.
We also look into low-rated rides and may deactivate users to help keep the community safe.
Our Trust & Safety team is ready 24/7
We have a dedicated Trust & Safety team that’s available to speak with you and assist you through our around-the-clock Critical Response Line. However, if you’re having an emergency, please always call 911 first.
Safety advice from fellow riders and 5-star drivers
We’ve gathered some best practices from top riders and drivers in the Lyft community.
1. Request your ride from a safe place
An indoor location, for example, reduces time spent waiting on the street. Choose a pickup spot where your driver can easily pull over. (This means no bus stops or other no-stopping zones.) Give yourself enough time to make sure it’s the right car.
2. Pick the best car for your group
Before hopping in, match the license plate, car make and model, and driver’s name with what you see in your app. At night, the Lyft Amp, a colorful device that sits on many driver dashboards, can help you find your driver.The color of the Lyft Amp in your driver’s car should match the color shown in your Lyft app.
3. Share your trip info with loved ones
They’ll see your location in real-time. You can also check out your driver’s route in your app to see how you’re getting to your destination.
4. Choose your comfort level
If anything makes you feel uncomfortable, you have the option to end the ride at any time. Your address or contact info won’t be shown in your driver’s ride history.
5. Exit curbside
Check for vehicles, scooters, bikes, and people before exiting the vehicle. (And make sure you haven’t left anything behind, such as your phone or keys, etc.)
We’re all in this together.
When it comes to safety, we must all hold ourselves to the highest standard to create a welcoming and safe space for all. That’s why we require riders to review and accept Lyft’s Community Guidelines before you request a ride. By agreeing to these guidelines, you commit to treat one another with care and respect.
Thanks for riding with us
Learn more about safety at Lyft.