How Much Can You Really Make Driving for Lyft? 10 Ways to Earn More Money in 2024

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A multitude of ridesharing apps have hit the market since Uber launched in 2009. One of the most successful is Lyft, founded shortly after Uber in 2012. The little pink sticker can be found everywhere on major highways and in busy city streets.

There’s a lot of information floating around about how much you can earn when driving for Uber. But what about the earning potential at Lyft?

Lucky for you, we’ve researched the earning potential at Lyft and have compiled a list of tips to maximize your earnings, including access to our Lyft driver referral link where you can earn extra rewards for signing up.

In 2018, Lyft calculated and published it’s estimated median earnings for drivers. They delineated earnings based on two separate definitions for “working time”; when a driver is online, driving toward a passenger, and driving a passenger versus when a driver is driving toward a passenger and driving a passenger.

[/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe image_id=”14387|full” custom_aspect_ratio=”100″ lightbox=”no” alt=”Earn with Lyft” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”center” hover_type=”none” bordersize=”3″ caption_style=”off” caption_align_medium=”none” caption_align_small=”none” caption_align=”none” caption_title_tag=”2″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://www.tastyreferrals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Earn-with-Lyft.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”10px” alignment=”center” /][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container type=”flex” hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” align_content=”stretch” flex_align_items=”flex-start” flex_justify_content=”flex-start” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” container_tag=”div” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” absolute=”off” absolute_devices=”small,medium,large” sticky=”off” sticky_devices=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_transition_offset=”0″ scroll_offset=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”2_3″ align_self=”auto” content_layout=”column” align_content=”flex-start” content_wrap=”wrap” center_content=”no” target=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” order_medium=”0″ order_small=”0″ hover_type=”none” border_style=”solid” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center center” linear_angle=”180″ background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”true” border_position=”all” first=”true” min_height=”” link=””][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]

When a driver is driving toward a passenger and driving a passenger, they can earn a median income of $29.47 per hour or $31.13 per hour in the top 25 markets. Here are 10 ways to maximize your Lyft earnings:

1. Bonuses & Promotions

Lyft offers several bonuses and promotions during busy times and in busy locations. The times and locations where bonuses are offered will change week to week and the bonus amount will vary in correlation to these factors.

There are both real-time and scheduled bonuses. Real-time bonuses will appear when there is a high demand for rides near you. Scheduled bonuses will be set at the beginning of the week, usually by 5 am on Monday, and are visible through the Lyft app.

Lyft also has something called a Personal Power Zone, where drivers can earn a single-ride bonus when there are more passengers than drivers. These will show up on the map in the Lyft driver app in real time or before large events.

2. Tips

According to Glassdoor reports, based on 106 reported salaries, the average yearly tip earnings for Lyft drivers was $695. However, these tip reports ranged from $254 to $3,000 per year.

The tips a Lyft driver receives is dependent on several factors. For one, drivers who offer amenities like food, water, and entertainment, and who provide elite customer service, will likely earn more tips.

However, based on a 2019 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, 60% of rideshare passengers reported that they never tip. Of those that did, the average tip was $3. Unlike professions in the food service industry, rideshare drivers are not expected to earn the majority of their pay from tips.

3. Luxury Service Tiers

Depending on what car you drive, you may be able to participate in luxury drive mode. Here are the types of vehicles that qualify as luxury service tiers:

Lyft Lux: SUVS with leather four seats or high-end sedans
Lux Black: Premium black car, leather interior, four seats
Lux Black XL: Premium SUV, black exterior, leather interior, accommodate up to 6 passengers

These luxury modes are available in at least 80 U.S. cities. Check Lyft’s Cities page to see if you live and drive in a qualifying city.

4. Lyft Rewards

Lyft offers a rewards program where drivers can earn extra rewards depending on their tier: silver, gold, or platinum. Essentially, you earn points for every eligible dollar you make during peak driving times The more points you earn, and the higher your driver score, the higher tier you unlock.

The points you need to qualify for each tier will vary by market. In order to reach a silver tier, you’ll need a driver score of at least 60%. For gold and platinum, you’ll need a score of at least 80%.

[/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe image_id=”14389|full” custom_aspect_ratio=”100″ lightbox=”no” alt=”Lyft Rewards” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”center” hover_type=”none” caption_style=”off” caption_align_medium=”none” caption_align_small=”none” caption_align=”none” caption_title_tag=”2″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://www.tastyreferrals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Lyft-Rewards.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”10px” alignment=”center” /][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]

5. Cashback on Purchases with Lyft Direct

What exactly is Lyft Direct? It’s a debit card that Lyft offers through their driving app. To apply for a card, simply open your app, go to “payment info” in the dropdown menu and select apply for Lyft Direct.

Through the Lyft Direct card, drivers can earn the following cashback rewards at select locations:

4% at restaurants
1% on gas
1% on groceries
1% on a rotating bonus category

While you only earn rewards as you spend, Lyft Direct still offers a way to save and earn perks on purchases that you might already be making like groceries, gas, and eating out.

6. Location

If you’re unsure of whether or not you’ll be able to make a decent living driving in your city, check out Lyft’s rate card page. Here you’ll be able to see how much you can get paid per mile per minute in your region.[/fusion_text][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]

7. Time of Day You Drive

[/fusion_text][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]Drivers that plan their driving time around pre-scheduled bonuses will maximize their earnings. As for the bonuses that pop up in real time, after a while driving in your region you may be able to anticipate where and when ride demands will be higher.

Also, driving around peak travel times like morning/evening commutes and weekend nights will increase the likelihood of higher earnings. If there is a big event coming up in your area, planning to drive around this event can also maximize earnings as there are typically higher demands for rides before and after large events.[/fusion_text][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]

8. Safe Driving Incentive for Express Drive Renters

To participate in the safe driving incentive, you don’t need to sign up, your ratings and progress will automatically update in your app. The way it works is every Monday the app will check your progress against the safe driving targets. If you’ve met the targets from the previous week, you’ll earn the 10-20% increase for the following week.

Your smart driving percentage is based on the amount of rides you’ve given without an unsafe driving report over a two-month period. Your rating will be an average of your most recent 100 rides. To ensure you earn this bonus, drive safely to maintain a high safe driver percentage and promote customer satisfaction to maintain a high rating.

Keep in mind that you are only eligible for this perk if you are a Lyft Express Drive renter.[/fusion_text][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]

9. Stay Busy

[/fusion_text][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]When you set out to drive for a shift, try to accept back-to-back rides. Not only does this increase the likelihood of earning bonuses and promotions, but it can also help you earn more money. You can get more out of your time when you complete several rides per hour.[/fusion_text][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]

10. Lyft Driver Referral

Similar to other ridesharing apps, Lyft offers referral incentives when a new driver signs up using your Lyft driver referral link. The Lyft driver referral link is set for the specific region you drive in.

[/fusion_text][fusion_imageframe image_id=”14390|full” custom_aspect_ratio=”100″ lightbox=”no” alt=”Sign up with a Lyft referral link” linktarget=”_self” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” align_medium=”none” align_small=”none” align=”center” hover_type=”none” caption_style=”off” caption_align_medium=”none” caption_align_small=”none” caption_align=”none” caption_title_tag=”2″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″]https://www.tastyreferrals.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Sign-up-with-a-Lyft-referral-link.png[/fusion_imageframe][fusion_separator style_type=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” flex_grow=”0″ top_margin=”10px” alignment=”center” /][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]To access your Lyft driver referral link, simply go to Lyft.com on your browser, click Driver referrals from the dropdown menu, and enter your friends’ email addresses to send them invites. When your friend opens the invite, they’ll find your Lyft driver referral link where they can apply to be a new driver.

Sometimes the referral incentives will change depending on region, but generally the referring driver will earn a bonus and the new referred driver will be eligible for a guaranteed rate.[/fusion_text][fusion_text rule_style=”default” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” sticky_display=”normal,sticky” text_transform=”none” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″]

Final Thoughts

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In short, maximizing your earnings on Lyft all comes down to using the app to your advantage. Learn about all of the rewards, incentives, promotions, bonuses, and features that are available to you to improve your driving experience and build a successful driving business.

We recommend keeping track of your earnings in relation to the areas and times you drive each shift. This can help you recognize positive and negative trends in your earnings. If you find that your earnings are higher when you drive in the evenings versus mornings, then you’ll want to alter your driving schedule to ensure you’re out during peak times.

And seriously, don’t underestimate the value of the Lyft driver referral link. This is an easy way to earn rewards for yourself and your friends. It’s basically free money and who doesn’t love that? 2024is the year for side hustles and flexible work, there’s no better time to get driving for a ridesharing app.

Click here to start a new Lyft driver application.

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