If you want to drive for a ride-hailing service like Lyft or Uber, it might seem like you need to own a car — which can be a tall order, especially since that car usually has to meet certain requirements to be qualified as a vehicle, depending on the company.
That's where Lyft Express Drive comes in. In short, it's a rental program that allows those who don't own a car to become Lyft drivers.
Here's what you need to know about Lyft Express Drive.
What is Lyft Express Drive?
The Lyft Express Drive program lets those who don't own a car use rental cars from agencies — like Hertz, Avis, and Flexdrive — to give Lyft rides.
According to Lyft, the rental period is "flexible with no long-term commitment" and the costs of participating include insurance and maintenance. Your total costs will also depend on your location.
Cars are made available on a first-come, first-served basis, so timing is critical for those who wish to participate.
How to qualify for Lyft Express Drive
To participate, you have to be at least 25 years old, apply to be a Lyft driver, and meet those requirements. This includes being able to pass national and county background checks, as well as a DMV check.
You also have to be located in a place where the program is available, which includes most major cities and even a few smaller ones.
After meeting those requirements and successfully applying to be a driver through Lyft's app, you can apply for a rental car via the company's dashboard for the service, you'd be able to schedule a pickup of the rental car. At that point, you'd provide a refundable deposit and start taking rides.
