New Benefits for New York Drivers
Great news for drivers in New York: By January, you’ll have access to more benefits while maintaining your flexibility as an independent contractor.
We’re continuously advocating for new benefits for drivers. Here’s what to expect from our recent agreement with the New York Attorney General and how to take full advantage of these benefits.
What’s new
Guaranteed minimum earnings: If you’re a rideshare driver in New York State, you’ll have guaranteed minimum earnings if you aren’t already covered by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission’s Minimum Driver Pay Rules. Your guaranteed minimum earnings will start at $26 per hour and will include time spent driving to pick up a rider and time spent with a rider in your vehicle (known as engaged time), for trips originating within New York State.
Paid sick time: You’ll be eligible to accrue and redeem paid sick time.
Educational payment: All drivers will receive a one-time payment for up to one hour of time spent viewing educational materials. The payment will be $15 per hour or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Deactivation appeal process updates: You will be able to connect directly with Support, right in the app, about deactivations.
A drivers’ fund to provide additional resources to eligible New York drivers: Lyft is paying $38M into a driver fund to be distributed by the New York Attorney General’s Office. To learn more, contact the Settlement Administrator at LyftNYAGsettlement.com, or call (800) 433-5314.
Frequently asked questions
When will these benefits be available to me? These benefits will be available by January 2024.
Who is eligible for these benefits? Anyone who gives a ride within New York state is eligible for these benefits.
What are the new guaranteed minimum earnings, and how are they calculated? Drivers will be paid a minimum of $26 per hour for all time spent between accepting a ride request and dropping off a rider.
This minimum earnings standard applies to all trips with a pickup in New York State that aren’t covered by the NYC TLC Minimum Driver Pay Rules. Trips originating in New York City will continue to be covered by the TLC’s Minimum Driver Pay Rules.
The $26 rate will increase to $26.39 as of March 1, 2024, to $26.78 as of June 1, 2024, and will be adjusted for inflation annually beginning in March 2025.
At the end of every earnings period, if your earnings (not including tips) are below the minimum then you will receive an additional payment to make up the difference by the next earnings period.
How are the pay standards within and outside NYC different? Here’s how statewide and New York City pay standards for drivers are structured:
Within NYC: The TLC’s Minimum Driver Pay Rules are based on both a time and mileage component set by the NYC TLC here.
Outside NYC: In the rest of New York state, the structure is based on a time component ($0.4333/minute) and includes the time spent between accepting a ride request and dropping off a rider.
Can I apply for support from the new drivers’ fund? You may have access to distributed funds as overseen by the New York Attorney General. For more information on eligibility and how to request a payment, contact the Settlement Administrator. The Toll Free Number for the Lyft settlement is (800) 433-5314, or visit LyftNYAGsettlement.com.
How do I accrue paid sick time? You’ll accrue one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours of engaged time, up to 56 hours per year. Unused hours will roll over to the next year.
Drivers who are eligible for the NYC TLC’s Minimum Driver Pay for High-Volume for Hire Services Rules will be compensated at $17 per hour. This is in addition to the 6% per-trip amount for paid time off that drivers currently receive for NYC trips under NYC TLC’s Minimum Driver Pay Rules.
The $17 rate will increase to $17.25 as of March 1, 2024, to $17.51 as of June 1, 2024, and will be adjusted for inflation annually beginning in March 2025.
New York drivers outside of New York City will be compensated at their average hourly earnings rate from the previous quarter or $26 per hour, whichever is higher.
The $26 rate will increase to $26.39 as of March 1, 2024, to $26.78 as of June 1, 2024, and will be adjusted for inflation annually beginning in March 2025.
How do I use paid sick time? Once you’ve accrued at least four hours of paid sick time, you can withdraw funds from your account. You can use paid sick time whenever you need it, like when you don’t feel well or when caring for a sick family member.
You’ll soon be able to access your paid sick time in the Driver app. Tap your earnings amount and then select ‘New York Paid Sick Time.’ You’ll see how many hours you’ve accrued and how to redeem them.
How do I get my educational payment? The educational payment will appear in your weekly earnings summary automatically as a one-time bonus after you’ve completed one ride. The payment will be $15 per hour or the applicable minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Can I still go online at any time? Yes, you can continue to go online at any time.
Can I still decline rides? Yes, you're always free to decline ride requests.
Can I still keep 100% of my tips? Yes, you’ll always receive 100% of your tips.
What can I do if I disagree with a deactivation decision? If you’ve been blocked in the Driver app, you can connect directly with customer support right in the app. Once you start a ticket, Lyft Support will reach out to discuss your case. (Note: This is in addition to the deactivation appeals process previously implemented through our agreement with the Independent Drivers Guild.)