Vehicle and Driver Requirements for Uber and Lyft in Florida

Paul Brannon | August 9, 2022 | Uber/Lyft Accidents

Vehicle and Driver Requirements for Uber and Lyft in Florida

In recent years, the taxi service sector has been upended by ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. Uber and Lyft contract with private individuals who use their own vehicles for transportation instead of driving a vehicle owned and maintained by a taxi company.

Despite their differences, both businesses have stringent regulations for their drivers and the vehicles used to transport consumers.

Uber and Lyft Vehicle Requirements 

Both Uber and Lyft have requirements for their drivers. Neither ridesharing service permits drivers to pick up passengers in sub-compact, two-seater vehicles. 

Uber’s registered cars must be under 15 years old. Lyft requires the vehicle to be a 2010 model or newer. In Florida, all vehicles must have a minimum of four operational doors and five seatbelts.

Other prerequisites for Uber and Lyft vehicles are as follows:

  • The car must be in decent shape with no aesthetic issues
  • The vehicle must have valid Florida registration and tags
  • There cannot be any advertising on Lyft or Uber vehicles
  • SUVs need to have a minimum of eight seatbelts
  • No automobiles with salvage titles are permitted

Each business has a list of vehicles that are and aren’t allowed. Uber also offers high-end cars for premium fares.

Uber and Lyft Insurance Requirements 

All drivers employed with ridesharing companies must have insurance coverage, which protects them even if they log out of the app and are driving on personal time.

However, Uber and Lyft each offer restricted coverage in the event of an accident while drivers are signed in and waiting for a fare. Each ridesharing firm also provides additional coverage if the driver has a passenger in the vehicle, including contingent, comprehensive, and collision coverage. 

Uber and Lyft Driver Requirements 

Each company investigates each of its prospective drivers, including their driving and criminal history. A contractual driver gets removed from the ridesharing list if they are arrested or commit certain traffic infractions. Drivers may lose their positions for DUI, DWI, or dangerous driving citations.

Additional Florida driving requirements include:

  • Copies of your driver’s license, insurance documents, and car registration
  • At least three years of driving experience (Uber) or one year (Lyft)
  • A clear background check
  • Minimum age of 21 (Lyft) or 23 (Uber)

Both services will instantly terminate a driver’s participation if they commit serious traffic infractions or get charged with crimes. 

Both businesses allow for a certain number of moving offenses, although three or more in three years may result in a driver losing their job. These offenses consist of:

  • Violating traffic laws 
  • Running stop signs or traffic lights
  • Driving with an expired license or tags
  • Speeding

A mishap while logged into the app may potentially result in removal.

What to Do After an Uber or Lyft Accident in Florida

Unfortunately, auto accidents happen to even the best Uber and Lyft drivers. Here are some pointers to make the post-accident process easier if you are hurt in a crash involving Uber or Lyft:

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Call 911 or get to the emergency room right away if you’ve been hurt or you think you’ve been hurt.

File a Report with the Police 

Any accident in Florida that results in property damage or bodily harm should be reported to the police. A police report will also be valuable information in any legal action going forward. 

Document Everything

Following a stressful event, it’s normal to forget important information. Make notes about your accident, including the intersection, the time of day, the state of the roads, and other details you think are useful.

Take Pictures

Photographs of injuries, car damage, and road evidence like skid marks are all essential in proving a case.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer If You’ve Been Involved in a Rideshare Accident in Florida 

After seeking medical attention, it’s best to consult a personal Injury Lawyer after an accident involving Uber or Lyft. These claims can be complex, but an experienced lawyer will guide you through the process to ensure you get the compensation you need.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Northwest Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Destin car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297