When you sign up to be a driver for Uber or Lyft you are making a life-changing career decision that will impact you in more ways than one.
As with all transportation companies, safe driving requires two assets: A safe driver and a safe vehicle. The first asset, the driver is not the issue here, what we will present is how you assure your vehicle is safe and passes the Uber or Lyft inspection.
Now and then Uber will send you a request to check your car, and when you sign up, they demand a car check before you start driving for them. The vehicle test is an annual requirement so before you go out and spend some dollars on a mechanic.
Free Uber Inspection: GreenLight Hub or Spot
However, before you become an Uber or Lyft driver, you must first pass the 19 point checklist. Let’s review the 19 point vehicle inspection, which is how your car is certified fit for use.
Free Lyft Inspection: Lyft Driver Hub
First of all, you must be at least 21 years old, and you must have at least one year of driving experience in the USA, and three years if you are under the age of 23. Naturally, you must have a valid US driver’s license and must drive an eligible 4-door vehicle.
19 Points Checked:
- Headlights
- Tail-lights
- Turn indicator lights
- Stop lights
- Foot brakes
- Emergency/parking brake
- Steering mechanism
- Windshield
- Heat and air conditioning
- Front, rear and side window
- Front seat adjustment mechanism
- Door controls (open, close, lock)
- Horn
- Speedometer
- Body condition/damage
- Muffler and exhaust system
- Condition of tires, including tread depth
- Interior and exterior rearview mirrors
- Safety belts for driver and passengers
Once you become an Uber or Lyft driver you will have to undergo yearly inspections, these do not conform to the 19 points checklist. Uber offers free car inspections, this is a useful service they offer, and it doesn’t come out of the kindness of their hearts, it’s pure business decisions.
They offer free inspection services because they want to know which cars are safe and which are not. By consolidating all the car inspections through their service providers, they reach that goal. YourMechanic is a car maintenance company that partnered with Uber and now offers free services for all Uber drivers.
Although, Uber offers a wide range of inspection sites that include gas stations, a selection of auto-repair shops and also car-parks
Uber also lists inspection notices and schedules on the Uber Movement Website.
If you’re wondering what to bring or prepare for an inspection, the answer is yourself, proof of Uber driver status, an Uber Inspection Form and your car.
By showing the app and your status there, it should cover the Uber driver status. The actual inspection takes about 20 minutes, so you just need to account for travel to and back time.
Lyft inspections are not free, which is a letdown on their part. They do send you a link to al the local care mechanics from whom they accept screening.
The Uber and Lyft inspection forms are similar, but you can’t use one for the other. Variations and companies are competing for the same market niche tend to discourage resource sharing. Once you complete the inspections, upload the form to your application dashboard, and you will get approval within a few days.
I present the main differences between Uber and Lyft in these two tables;
Lyft requirements:
- Current and valid license plates.
- Tires must have sufficient tread.
- Windows must be crack free and must be fully operational.
- A/C and heat must work properly.
- Wipers must be in good condition and work properly
- All car lights must function properly.
- The car horn must function.
- The car Seatbelts must be present and functional
- The front seats must move freely forwards and backward
- The car must be free of dents and large scratches.
- The tailpipe and muffler must be in good condition.
Uber Requirements
- All car lights must function properly.
- The car horn must function
- The braking systems must work properly.
- Car steering must work properly.
- Current and valid license plates.
- Tires must have sufficient tread.
- Windows must be crack free and must be fully operational.
- All car mirrors must be present and complete
- Wipers must be in good condition and work properly
- The car Seatbelts must be present and functional
- The front seats must move freely forwards and backward
- The car body must be free of dents and large scratches.
- The tailpipe and muffler must be in good condition
- The speedometer must work properly.
Notice that the difference between the two companies is stark and obvious. Lyft is less constricting and includes some comfort issues, while Uber wants to be sure the car is mechanically, and safety bound completely.
It is best to be prepared for an inspection, but not because you need to have an inspection proof car, rather, because these requirements do work for you.
By assuring your car is always in top working order and top comfort condition, you are providing a service to both yourself and your customer.
Here is a checklist you must maintain on a daily and weekly basis assuring you will have a safe and smooth ride:
- Always make sure your Wipers are fresh and smooth.
- Check your headlights every night before you start.
- Check your taillights every night before you start.
- Turn indicators (blinkers) and see if they are working
- When you apply your breaks, check to see the stop lights are working.
- Push the horn
- Clean your mirrors daily
- Test your seatbelts daily
- Look at your tires tracks and fill your tires once a week
- When you turn on the ignition, test your heating and a/c.
- Check your in-car entertainment system.
Regarding car condition, this is the time I state; compare yourself to a taxi driver, do you enjoy getting into a clean, comfortable cab with a great driver?
Of course, you do. So why would you want to be any different? What would you do if a dirty, smelly, chugger-banger stopped in front of you and suggested you ride with them, and for a price!