The safety of the Lyft community is our top priority, and since the beginning, we have worked to design policies and features that protect both drivers and riders. Our goal is to make every ride— in a car, on a bike, or on a scooter— safe, comfortable, and reliable. Today we’re announcing two new features to enhance the safety and security of the Lyft platform: continuous background checks and enhanced identity verification.
Continuous Criminal Background Checks
Before giving a ride, all Lyft drivers must pass a criminal background check. This background check includes a Social Security number trace, a nationwide criminal search, a county court records search, a federal criminal search, as well as a U.S. Department of Justice 50-state sex offender registry search. To remain on the platform, Lyft requires all active drivers to pass another background check at least every 12 months.
Today, we are announcing an expansion of our background check process to include continuous criminal monitoring. This will provide Lyft with daily monitoring of its active drivers and immediate notification of any disqualifying criminal convictions. Any driver who does not pass both the annual and continuous screenings will be barred from our platform. By expanding its screening solutions through two of the top background check companies in the country, Lyft is further enhancing its ability to detect criminal activity and providing an additional level of safety across the platform.
Enhanced Identity Verification
We are announcing today a new, enhanced identity verification process, combining driver's license verification and photographic identity verification to prevent identity fraud on our platform. Potentially fraudulent drivers will be required to provide evidence that they are carrying the approved driver’s license as well as a real-time photo of their face, which will be used to verify that the driver’s identity is authentic.
This enhanced identity verification process will layer onto the variety of security tools we already use to detect early signals of fraud, and such potentially fraudulent drivers will be required to complete this verification process in order to continue driving on our platform. Fraud is an issue that many industries and companies face each day, but it is rare at Lyft.
We continuously move quickly and decisively to permanently ban these individuals from our platform, and accelerate the launch of anti-fraud measures already in development.
Together, these actions will layer on top of our already robust security features, which include:
All individuals applying to drive with Lyft must submit a valid driver's license, Social Security number, vehicle insurance, and more.
Certain serious convictions, including for violent crimes and sexual offenses, will result in disqualification from the Lyft platform. We do not allow drivers on our platform whose background check results include: violent crimes, sexual offenses, and other disqualifying felonies.
We have strict driving standards that prohibit drivers who have more than three minor violations in the past three years (like accidents or traffic light violations), a major violation in the past three years (such as driving on a suspended license or reckless driving), a DUI or other drug-related driving violation in the last seven years, or any driving-related convictions in the last seven years (such as hit-and-run or felonies involving a vehicle). These standards may vary slightly in certain regions based on local laws. Driving record checks are re-run at least annually, and any driver who does not pass these checks is deactivated from the platform. And these requirements work in concert with our safety products and policies already in place to protect our community:
Lyft provides license plate numbers in the app for riders to match with the vehicle, photos of the driver and vehicle, and details on the vehicle’s make, model, and color.
We provide real-time ride tracking through the Share Location feature, to share updates with friends and loved ones on your ride and estimated time of arrival.
Lyft takes all user ratings and driver feedback very seriously. Our two-way rating system enables riders and drivers to rate each other anonymously after every ride. If a rider or driver rates someone 3 stars or below, they’ll never be matched with them again-- and we review all rides with low ratings and concerning feedback to determine if action should be taken for the rider or driver involved.
We do not tolerate harassment or violence on our platform, and such behavior can and does lead to a permanent ban from our service.
We have a dedicated Trust & Safety team available through a 24/7 Critical Response Line to report any safety concerns.
Drivers can dial 911 from within the app, which will display the driver’s current location and vehicle information (including license plate number), making it easy for them to tell 911 dispatchers the details.
In select markets, Lyft drivers are able to use the Amp, a display that sits on a driver’s dash and acts as a beacon, changing color (including green, yellow, purple, and grey) to match the rider’s app and help them identify their ride more easily.
We are committed to always exploring new, innovative ways to improve the experience for all users, and most importantly, to keep our community safe.