Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers | September 19, 2025 | Car Accidents
Thinking about driving for Uber or Lyft in California? It can be a great way to earn extra cash, but there are important rules you need to follow. These rules cover your car, you as the driver, and even your insurance. Understanding these policies is super important, especially if you get into an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle.
Uber and Lyft Vehicle Requirements
Both Uber and Lyft have specific requirements for the car you use:
- Model year: For Uber, your car needs to be 16 years old or newer. Lyft currently requires vehicles that are model year 2008 or newer. Some cities might have even stricter rules, so always check the companies’ websites for exceptions in your area.
- Seating: Both companies require vehicles with four doors that can carry at least four passengers (not counting the driver).
- Condition: Your car needs to be in good working order, with no major cosmetic damage. This means no big dents, missing parts, or cracked windshields. They might also require an inspection of your vehicle before you can start driving.
- Registration: It must be registered in California.
- Insurance: You need to have valid personal auto insurance. We’ll talk more about this in a later section.
- No salvage titles: Cars with “salvage” or “rebuilt” titles are usually not allowed. These are cars that have been significantly damaged in the past.
- No commercial branding: Uber doesn’t allow any commercial branding on their vehicles, like taxi signs or big company logos. It should look like a regular private car.
These rules can change over time, so it’s best to check Uber and Lyft’s websites for the most up-to-date information. Both companies also have car rental programs that drivers may be able to use if they do not have an eligible vehicle.
Driver Eligibility for Uber and Lyft
Just like your car, you as the driver need to meet certain standards to drive for Uber or Lyft:
- Age: You must be at least 25 to drive for either company. Uber allows drivers under 25 who signed up to drive before August 12, 2024, but this is generally the only exception.
- Driving experience: Both companies require at least one year of driving experience in the United States. If you qualify for Uber’s “drivers under 25” exception, you’ll need three years.
- Driver’s license: You need a valid California driver’s license.
- Driving record: Uber and Lyft will check your driving record. They look for major moving violations (like a DUI), a lot of smaller tickets, or a history of reckless driving. Generally, a clean driving record is a must.
- Background check: Both companies will perform a background check on your criminal history. This is to ensure passenger safety.
- Smartphone: You need a smartphone to use the Uber or Lyft driver apps.
Like the vehicle eligibility rules, the criteria for drivers are in place to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort. These rules are also subject to change, so always check the company’s website for the most up-to-date requirements.
How Does Insurance Work for Uber and Lyft Drivers?
This is one of the most confusing, but most important, parts of driving for Uber or Lyft. It’s easiest to think about your insurance coverage in three different periods:
Period 1: App On, Waiting for a Request
Your personal insurance policy generally will not cover you during this time because you’re driving for a commercial purpose. Most individual policies exclude “for-hire” driving.
During this period, both Uber and Lyft provide limited liability coverage. If you cause an accident, their insurance might cover damages to other people or property, usually up to $50,000 per person for bodily injury, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage.
Period 2: Matched with a Rider, On Your Way to Pick Them Up
Once you accept a ride request and are driving to pick up your passenger, Uber and Lyft’s much higher insurance coverage kicks in and includes:
- Up to $1 million in third-party liability covers damages if you injure someone else or damage their property.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you and your passengers if someone else hits you and doesn’t have enough (or any) insurance.
- Contingent comprehensive and collision coverage can help cover damage to your car. It’s “contingent” because it only applies if your personal insurance denies coverage first, and it usually has a deductible (an amount you have to pay first).
Period 3: Rider in Your Car, Driving to Their Destination
For both Uber and Lyft drivers, the same high-level coverage from Period 2 continues while the passenger is in the vehicle.
Why This Insurance Information Matters for Accidents
Understanding this insurance structure is critical if you are ever in an accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle as a driver or passenger. If another driver hits you, or if you cause an accident, knowing which insurance policy applies (your personal, Uber’s, or Lyft’s) is the first step to getting things sorted out. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate this complex situation.
If you were in Period 1 and relied only on your personal insurance, you could be denied coverage, leaving you personally responsible for damages. As an Uber or Lyft passenger, you need to know that the rideshare company’s high-limit insurance should cover your injuries and damages.
If an Uber or Lyft driver hits you, figuring out what “period” they were in during the accident is essential. This will determine which insurance policy (the driver’s personal or the rideshare company’s) will be responsible for your medical bills, car repairs, and other losses.
Contact Our San Diego Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation After an Uber or Lyft Accident
An accident involving an Uber or Lyft vehicle can be stressful. Awareness of the companies’ eligibility and insurance policies beforehand can make a huge difference in how smoothly things are resolved.
If you need help navigating your Uber or Lyft crash case, call our car accident attorneys at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
For more information, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
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