How to Drive for Lyft in South Carolina

What you need to do to start driving for Lyft

To drive for Lyft in South Carolina, you must meet Lyft's requirements, pass a background check, and have your vehicle inspected. Lyft does not hire you as an employee — you work as an independent contractor, which means you set your own hours but are responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and vehicle maintenance.

The process takes roughly two to four weeks from application to your first ride. You will need to upload documents, wait for background clearance, schedule a vehicle inspection, and activate your account. During this time, you can continue other work.

Lyft operates in South Carolina's major cities and surrounding areas, including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach. Check Lyft's website to confirm service is available in your area before you begin.

Key Takeaways

• You must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and own or have regular access to a vehicle that meets Lyft's standards.
• Lyft will run a background check that examines your driving record and criminal history going back seven years.
• Your vehicle must pass a third-party inspection covering brakes, tires, lights, and safety features, and you will pay the inspection fee yourself.
• As an independent contractor, you pay self-employment tax, provide your own insurance, and cover all vehicle costs — Lyft does not withhold taxes or provide benefits.
• You can drive whenever you want, but you must maintain an active account and meet Lyft's standards for acceptance rate and cancellation rate.

Personal and driver requirements

You must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid South Carolina driver's license or a valid license from another state. Your license cannot be suspended or revoked. Lyft will check your driving record for violations, accidents, and suspensions over the past seven years.

You also need a Social Security number and a valid email address. Lyft uses your Social Security number to report your income to the IRS and to run your background check. Have this information ready when you start your application.

Your vehicle must be registered in your name or in the name of a household member. If the vehicle is registered to someone else, you will need written permission from that person to use it for Lyft.

Vehicle requirements and inspection

Your vehicle must be a 2008 model year or newer (some cities require 2010 or newer — check your area). It must have four doors, seat at least five people, and be in good working condition. Lyft does not accept vehicles with significant damage, missing parts, or interior stains.

Before you can drive, your vehicle must pass a vehicle inspection conducted by a third-party company that Lyft contracts with. The inspection covers brakes, tires, lights, windshield wipers, seat belts, airbags, and the horn. You schedule the inspection yourself at a location near you, and you pay the inspection fee (typically $20 to $30). The inspection takes about 15 minutes.

Your vehicle must also have current registration and a valid emissions inspection if your county requires one. You will upload photos of your registration and insurance documents during your application.

Background check and approval process

Lyft runs a background check through a third-party screening company. The check examines your driving record, criminal history, and sex offender registry status going back seven years. Lyft may deny your application if you have serious traffic violations, DUI convictions, reckless driving charges, or certain felonies.

Minor traffic violations like speeding tickets usually do not disqualify you, but Lyft reviews each case individually. If your application is denied, Lyft will tell you the reason. You can reapply after one year if your denial was based on a specific incident.

The background check typically takes five to ten business days. During this time, you can upload other required documents. Once your background clears, you will receive an email telling you to schedule your vehicle inspection.

Insurance and tax responsibilities

Lyft provides contingent liability coverage while you have a passenger in your vehicle or are on your way to pick one up. This coverage is secondary to your personal auto insurance, meaning your own insurance pays first. You must carry personal auto insurance at all times — Lyft's coverage does not replace it.

Many personal auto insurance policies do not cover commercial driving. Contact your insurance company and tell them you plan to drive for Lyft. Some companies will add a rideshare endorsement for a small fee; others may require you to switch to a commercial policy. Do this before you start driving, because driving without proper coverage can void your policy.

As an independent contractor, you are responsible for paying self-employment tax on your earnings. Lyft will send you a 1099-NEC form at the end of the year showing your gross income. You will owe federal self-employment tax (currently 15.3% of your net earnings) plus state and federal income tax. Set aside money from each ride to cover these taxes, or make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS. The IRS website has worksheets to help you calculate what you owe.

How much you earn and what it costs

Lyft pays you per ride based on distance and time. The exact rate varies by city and changes periodically. You can see the rate card for your area on Lyft's website before you start driving. Rates are typically $0.70 to $2.00 per mile and $0.10 to $0.30 per minute, but these figures vary.

You keep 100% of fares and tips. Lyft does not take a commission on tips. However, Lyft does take a service fee from the base fare (the distance and time charge), which is usually 20% to 25% of the base fare. You see the breakdown for each ride in the app.

Your costs include gas, maintenance, insurance, vehicle registration, and taxes. The IRS allows you to deduct either your actual expenses or a standard mileage rate (currently 67 cents per mile for business use, though this changes yearly). Track your mileage carefully — this is your largest deduction. You can also deduct car washes, oil changes, repairs, and a portion of your insurance premium.

Account maintenance and deactivation

Once you are approved and driving, you must maintain an acceptance rate of at least 80% and a cancellation rate below 20%. This means you must accept at least 80 out of every 100 ride requests sent to you, and you can cancel no more than 20 out of every 100 accepted rides. If your rates fall below these thresholds, Lyft may deactivate your account.

You must also maintain a rating of at least 4.6 stars (on a scale of 5). Passengers rate you after each ride. If your rating drops below 4.6, Lyft will send you a warning and may deactivate you if it does not improve.

You can pause your account temporarily if you need a break, or you can deactivate it permanently. If you deactivate, you can reapply later, but you will need to pass the background check and vehicle inspection again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive for Lyft if I have a DUI on my record?

Lyft typically denies applications from drivers with DUI convictions within the past seven years. If your DUI is older than seven years, it may not appear on your background check. If your application is denied, you can reapply one year later and explain any changes in your circumstances.

What if my vehicle fails the inspection?

If your vehicle fails, you will receive a report listing what needs to be fixed. You can get the repairs done and schedule a new inspection. There is no limit to how many times you can retest, but you will pay the inspection fee each time.

Do I need commercial auto insurance to drive for Lyft?

You need at least personal auto insurance that covers rideshare driving. Some personal policies cover it with an endorsement; others require you to switch to a commercial policy. Check with your insurance company before you start driving. Driving without proper coverage can void your policy and leave you liable for accidents.

Can I drive for Lyft and Uber at the same time?

Yes. You can drive for multiple rideshare companies simultaneously. You will need to pass each company's background check and vehicle inspection separately, but you can use the same vehicle and insurance for both.

What happens if I get into an accident while driving for Lyft?

Report the accident to your personal insurance company first. Lyft's contingent coverage is secondary and only covers liability to the other party, not damage to your own vehicle. Your personal insurance should cover your vehicle damage. If the other driver is at fault, their insurance may pay instead. Report the accident to Lyft through the app as well.