In order to drive for Lyft in 2025 and ensure you meet requirements, passing a vehicle inspection is very important. Here, you’ll learn all about Lyft vehicle inspection process, including what is required, how much it costs and what the experts suggest.

What Is the Importance of Lyft Vehicle Inspections

Before any vehicle can be used on the Lyft platform, Lyft requires it to pass a thorough safety inspection. As well as shielding passengers, this ensures drivers are protected from problems resulting from accidents. Routine examinations discover problems that may reduce the vehicle’s efficiency or its safety.

What Lyft Requires for Vehicle Inspection

Lyft usually needs vehicles in most states to meet the listed requirements:

Overview of What All Vehicles Should Have

• Doors and Seatbelts: All vehicles need to be equipped with four doors and a total of five seatbelts so each person has one.  
• Vehicle Age: The standard vehicle age is different in every location. Some states have a rule that vehicles cannot be more than 15 years old.  
• Registration and Insurance: Vehicles must come with valid registration and insurance papers at inspection.

19-Point Inspection Checklist

The standard Lyft vehicle inspection covers the following components:

1.      Headlights

2.      Tail Lights

3.      Turn Indicator Lights

4.      Stop Lights

5.      Foot Brakes

6.      Emergency/Parking Brake

7.      Steering Mechanism

8.      Windshield

9.      Safety Belts for Driver and Passenger

10.  Rear Window and Other Glass

11.  Windshield Wipers

12.  Front Seat Adjustment

13.  Doors (open/close/lock)

14.  Horn

15.  Speedometer

16.  Bumpers

17.  Muffler and Exhaust System

18.  Tires, Including Tread Depth

19.  Interior and Exterior Rearview Mirrors

How to Get Your Vehicle Inspected

Lyft offers several options for completing your vehicle inspection:

1. Certified Mechanics

You can visit any state-certified mechanic to perform the inspection. Simply download the appropriate inspection form for your state from Lyft’s website, have the mechanic complete it, and then upload the completed form to your Lyft driver profile.

2. Virtual Inspections

Services like RideShare Mechanic offer virtual inspections via video chat, allowing you to complete the inspection from your driveway. This option is convenient and often available on short notice.

3. Self Inspection Services

Platforms like Self Inspection provide AI-enhanced inspection services where you capture and submit photos and videos of your vehicle. Certified inspectors then review the submissions to ensure compliance with Lyft’s standards.

Inspection Costs and Frequency

Costs

Inspection costs vary depending on the method and provider:

• Certified Mechanics: Typically charge between $20 and $50.
• RideShare Mechanic: Charges $30 for a single inspection or $55 for both Uber and Lyft inspections.
• Self Inspection: Charges a flat fee of $29 per inspection.

Frequency Lyft requires vehicle inspections at the following intervals:

• Initial Inspection: Before you start driving.
• Annual Inspection: Every 12 months or every 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Note: Some states may have additional requirements. For example, Maryland requires vehicles 10 years or older to be inspected every 6 months.

What to Do If the Car Won’t Move

What do you do if your car doesn’t meet the inspection requirements?

• Check the Report: The report from the inspector will clearly mention what was found.
• Take Care of all Identified Problems: Solve the problems that you identified.
• Re-Inspection: Make sure repairs are checked again after they are finished by re-scheduling a meeting.

Some services, for example Self Inspection, will let you see which repairs need your attention.

Steps to Guarantee You Pass the Inspection on Your First Try

• Give Your Vehicle a Good Cleaning: It looks nice and could reveal any problems.
• Pre-Check Essentials: Before any journey, test all lights, brakes and signal systems are operating properly.
• Check Tires: Examine the pattern of your tread and look for anything having to do with damage to your tires.
• Test Safety Features: Simply check that seatbelts, horns and mirrors are all working properly.
• Address Warning Lights: Check to be sure that there are no caution lights showing on your dashboard.

Taking care of your car and detecting any issues quickly often allows it to pass inspection without trouble.

Conclusion

It is very important to finish your vehicle inspection with Lyft to make your rideshare service safe and dependable. If you meet the requirements, pick the ideal way to inspect the car and keep your vehicle well maintained, you’ll be confident and have an easy time driving.