How To Rent A Vehicle Through Lyft Express Drive To Drive For Lyft

Did you know you can drive for Lyft without owning a car?

Lyft is a popular ridesharing service that offers plenty of ways for drivers to access the platform. It’s never been easier to start earning as an independent contractor!

While you can no longer rent vehicles as a rider with Lyft, they still offer a rental program for drivers.

Lyft’s Express Drive program is a great way to obtain Lyft rental cars for short-term and even long-term periods.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How Lyft’s rental car system works
• The benefits and drawbacks of Lyft rental cars
• Some tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Lyft rental car.

Let’s begin!

What is Lyft Rental Car?

If you’ve come here to learn how to rent a car from Lyft as a rider: unfortunately, that ship has sailed.

In 2019, Lyft began a ‘Lyft Rentals’ program that allowed users to rent cars through the app. As of September 2023, this program has been discontinued.

This move, confirmed to Bloomberg, follows Lyft’s decision to focus on partnerships with Sixt and Hertz for better national coverage and a smoother booking experience. The shutdown reflects a broader trend of tech companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft slowing hiring amid economic challenges.

However, there are out other places where you can rent a vehicle for a week or longer. This includes Uber Rentals, rental cars from Lyft’s largest competitor.

For drivers, however, it’s a completely different story. Lyft is currently partnered with Hertz and Flexdrive to allow rideshare drivers to rent a car instead of buying one themselves. This new program is called ‘Express Drive.’

What’s more, they even offer cheap rental rates so you can maximize your earnings as a driver. This means that becoming a rideshare driver has never been more accessible.

Renting a car for a few months is a lot cheaper than financing your vehicle. The rental fees are taken directly out of your earnings, making it easier to keep track of your payments.

Lyft offers a few different types of cars to rent, such as SUVs, sedans, and hybrids. However, the availability of these cars differs from city to city.

Why Rent a Vehicle to Drive with Lyft?

Renting a vehicle with Lyft through their Express Drive program is an excellent option if you do not have a car, if your car does not meet Lyft’s requirements, or if you prefer not to use your personal vehicle for ridesharing.

It’s also a great way to try out driving for Lyft without the commitment of purchasing a new vehicle. With Express Drive, you can enjoy the flexibility and earning potential of driving for Lyft without the upfront costs and long-term responsibilities of car ownership.

This program may also be financially sensible if you own a high-end car and wish to avoid the wear and tear that comes with ridesharing.

Express Drive offers a straightforward way to sign up, with clear information on availability and costs, making it a viable choice for many drivers.

How Does the Express Drive Program Work?

The Lyft Express Drive program works much like the standard Lyft driver service.

You use the app to accept passenger rides and earn money from the fare charged to passengers (minus the portion Lyft takes as a commission), plus any tips that passengers give you.

The main difference from the regular Lyft service is that you’re renting the car through one of Lyft’s partner rental agencies.

You pay a weekly rate that varies based on your city.

If you give enough rides, your rental costs can be reduced or even completely paid by Lyft (see below for more details).

What Are the Express Drive Program Requirements?

The requirements to participate in the Express Drive program are much the same as the regular Lyft driver requirements.

In brief, you need to have a valid driver’s license, pass a background and DMV check, and have a mobile device that can run the Lyft driver app.

The only requirements that differ are those related to age, insurance, and vehicle inspection.

Starting with age, you need to be at least 25 years old to participate in the Express Drive program (compared to Lyft’s normal minimum age of 21).

As far as insurance and vehicle inspection, you don’t need to worry about them with the Express Drive program.

Because the program is through Lyft, all vehicles will meet their requirements.

That being said, you are required to bring your rental vehicle in for an inspection every 28 days to the location you rented it.

Insurance is also included, just as it would be with a traditional car rental.

You also don’t have to worry about maintenance, though you will still pay for gas.

How to Use Lyft’s Rental Car Service

Before you start renting a car with Express Drive, you’ll need to make sure you meet the Lyft driver requirements. You also need to be at least 25 years old and submit an application form.

Once all the paperwork has been handled, you’ll be able to rent a car to use for Lyft! This can be done in a few easier steps:

• First, go to your Driver Dashboard.
• Then scroll to the Express Drive section and follow the prompts for choosing a vehicle.

Now, you’ll be able to pick up the vehicle from Hertz or Flexdrive once everything has been approved and you’ve paid the security deposit.

The rental renews automatically every seven days as long as you fulfill the minimum requirement of 20 rides per week.

You’ll also need to make sure you cover the weekly costs, complete any maintenance on time, and ensure you don’t have any outstanding fees to pay.

When you’re ready to return the car, you’ll just need to schedule a return through your Driver Dashboard. You’ll receive the security deposit back up to three weeks after you return the car.

How Much Does Lyft Express Drive Cost?

The Lyft Express Drive program’s cost is dynamic and depends on a few key factors.

Initially, users are required to pay a refundable security deposit, which is returned after the rental period ends.

The weekly rental rate varies significantly based on the user’s location, starting around $219 in some cities and reaching up to $479 in busier areas, such as New York City.

This rate encompasses the base rental fee, basic insurance, vehicle licensing, and, for Flexdrive renters, a personal mileage plan.

Additional costs can include extra insurance coverage and, for electric vehicles, a charging plan. These costs are typically offset against your weekly Lyft earnings, and any shortfall must be covered out-of-pocket.

The specific rental cost is made clear once you begin your application with Lyft. Rentals are billed weekly to the credit card you have registered with Lyft.

To help manage these costs, Lyft’s Rental Rewards program offers a way to reduce rental expenses by completing a certain number of rides.

1. Meet the ride count requirement

Each completed ride counts toward your total weekly ride requirement. A completed ride means that you successfully picked up and dropped off the passenger.

If you’re driving with Lyft Line, each person you pick up and drop off on the route will count as one completed ride.

For the purposes of Rental Rewards, the week goes from Monday at 5 a.m. through to the next Monday at 4:59 a.m.

2. Meet the peak ride requirement

In addition to the general ride count requirement, there will also be a peak ride requirement. Peak rides are those given during Lyft’s busiest hours, when passenger demand is highest. These hours vary from market to market and even from week to week. You can view the requirements for peak rides (and the general ride count requirement) in your Driver Dashboard.

3. Maintain a 90% acceptance rate

An accepted ride is any ride request that you don’t ignore or cancel. As long as you’re accepting the ride requests you receive, this number is easy to maintain. If you dip below a 90% acceptance rate for a given week, you’ll be ineligible for Rental Rewards.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Rental Rewards do not cover rental taxes. You’ll still be on the hook for these charges, even if you earn enough Rental Rewards to cover the rest of the rental cost.

Therefore, while Lyft may claim that your weekly cost could be $0 after they apply Rental Rewards, the reality is that you will still pay something (just a reduced amount).

How Do I Start Renting a Vehicle to Drive with Lyft?

Signing up for Express Drive isn’t much different from the regular Lyft driver application process.

To start with, visit the Lyft Express Drive application page. You’ll need to enter your first name, last name, email address, city, and phone number.

You can also enter a promo code or referral code if you have one. Feel free to use one from another driver or friend if they referred you, or use our promo code RIDESTERLYFT if you like.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll begin the application process. When Lyft asks for your vehicle info, tap or click “Rent Vehicle.”

Note that vehicle availability is limited in certain markets, so you may have to try again another time if no vehicles are available to rent.

Assuming vehicles are available for rental in your market, your next step is to put down a refundable deposit.

The amount of the deposit varies depending on your city; it will be no more than $250 according to Lyft’s website. The deposit is “used to cover any outstanding payment obligations like damages or failed charges once the vehicle is returned.”

Once you’ve put down your deposit, Lyft will send you an email confirming a pickup time for the vehicle. Then, all you have to do is go to the pickup location, get the keys, and begin driving.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Renting with Lyft

The Benefits

One of the main perks of renting a car with Lyft is that it can be a long-term commitment.

You can keep the car for as long as you need it, provided you complete at least 20 rides a week and pay any outstanding fees.

Renting can also be more financially viable than buying a whole new car. If you’re keen to make money on the side with Lyft but don’t have the right car, renting one to use exclusively for Lyft might end up being more cost-effective in the long run.

And because it’s used for work, you won’t have strangers messing up your personal car!

The Drawbacks

While there are lots of benefits to renting a car with Lyft, there are also a few downsides to consider.

Firstly, you can only use the car for driving with Lyft. This means you won’t be able to use other rideshare apps with it.

While you can still use the rental car for personal trips and errands, you might have a mileage limit.

This only applies to rentals through Flexdrive, and you also thankfully get to choose a mileage limit plan that suits you.

Finally, there’s the availability to consider. Rental cars are first come first serve, so you might have to wait a bit before you get your hands on one.

If you can look past the factors, you might find the benefits outweigh the drawbacks of your situation!

Comparison with Other Car Rental Services

Unfortunately, the only rental cars you can use for Lyft are the ones you get through the platform. Third-party rental cars can’t be used.

If you want a rental car for life outside of Lyft, it’s probably best to check out other car rental services.

While Lyft is among the best rental companies, there are plenty of other great ones to choose from.

For example, you might find that Uber is cheaper than Lyft for renting rideshare cars. While Lyft’s rental fees range from $219 to $479 a week, Uber’s base rate is $180 per week.

Another problem with Lyft’s rental car scheme is that as of writing, it’s only available in 40 cities in the US.

In comparison, Uber rentals are available everywhere in the US, and other car rental services such as Sixt, Turo, Enterprise, and Zipcar are available in multiple countries.

So while Lyft rental cars might be good for Lyft, it’s best to shop around a bit before settling on Lyft.

User Reviews and Experiences

There is a lot of debate online around user satisfaction with Lyft’s rental car program.

Some drivers say that due to the long hours you have to work to earn a profit, it’s not worth it.

According to Reddit users, the first 15-20 hours you work are what pays off the rental fees.

The hours you work after this make up your profit, which can fluctuate from week to week like any gig work, Some users also claim you need to work 60+ hours to make it worth the rental rates.

However, other drivers say it’s worth it! Renting a car is a lot cheaper than buying a brand-new one or even paying off a loan.

If you only want to work as a rideshare driver for a few months, renting might be more convenient than buying a new car just for rideshare driving. At the end of the day, you’ll be trashing a rental car rather than your vehicle.

Locations and Availability

As of writing, Lyft Express Drive is only available in major US cities through either Hertz or Flexdrive.

Flexdrive is available in: Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland, OH; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Los Angeles, CA; Milwaukee, WI; Nashville, TN; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; Portland, OR; Sacramento, CA; San Antonio, TX; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads/Norfolk, VA; Washington, D.C.

Hertz is available in: Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Colorado Springs, CO; Dallas/Fort Worth, TX; Denver, CO; Hartford/Manchester, CT; Indianapolis, IN; Kansas City, MO; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; New Haven, CT; New Orleans, LA; Oklahoma City, OK; Orange County, CA; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; Sacramento, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Stockton, CA; Tucson, AZ; Washington, D.C.

Lyft doesn’t currently have any plans to expand its rental program to more cities.

Tips for a Smooth Rental Experience with Lyft

Renting a car to drive for Lyft is a fairly simple process!

To get the most out of your car, make sure you pay any outstanding balances as soon as you can so you can keep earning.

There are also plenty of ways you can make it more cost-effective.

For example, driving in a popular, busy area will mean more ride offers. The quicker you earn money, the faster you’ll pay off the rental rates – meaning you’ll have more time to earn.

When choosing a rental car, you can also opt for a fancier car such as a Tesla. Although the rental rate might be higher, it’ll be worth it. People pay more money for a nicer ride!

Keeping the car tidy and clean is another great way to make money. Riders will appreciate a clean car and might give you a higher tip.

Another hot tip is to use a dashcam for security. That way, if there’s any damage to your car, you can easily report it to Lyft.

However, for general maintenance, it might be quicker (and cheaper!) to get it done yourself. For example, fixing a flat tire yourself will mean you’ll be back accepting rides faster than going through Lyft (which might take a few days).

Lyft Express Drive FAQ

Now that you have an overview of how Express Drive works, let’s examine a few common questions that new and prospective Express Drive users have:

Wrapping Up

Lyft’s Express Drive program offers rental cars for rideshare drivers who don’t have access to a vehicle.

This can be a convenient and cost-effective solution for anyone interested in trying out rideshare driving.

However, it’s important to consider the potential downsides of renting with Lyft, such as the rental fees, availability, and mileage limits. If these factors don’t both you, Lyft’s rental car program might be a great solution for driving with Lyft.

Happy driving!