Driving with Lyft is a great way to earn money on your own schedule. But before you can start picking up passengers in Toronto, you’ll need to meet the City’s requirements and complete a few key steps. In this post, we’ll walk you through the process from start to finish.
Step 1: Complete City-Approved Training
In Toronto, all vehicle-for-hire drivers (including Lyft, Uber, taxis, and limousines) must complete a city-approved course before they can start driving passengers.
The course is offered online, takes about four hours to complete, and covers topics such as safely transporting passengers, navigating city driving, providing service to passengers with accessibility needs, preventing racism and discrimination, and the laws that govern vehicle-for-hire drivers.
At the end of the course, you’ll take a short test to confirm your understanding of the material. Once you pass, you’ll receive a certificate of completion, which you’ll need to upload to Lyft as part of your application.
Step 2: Apply to Drive with Lyft
Once you’ve completed your training, you can apply to drive with Lyft. You can start filling out the application online through Lyft’s website or in the Lyft Driver App, which is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Before you apply, make sure that you meet Lyft’s Driver Requirements:
- Be at least 25 years old
- Hold a valid Ontario Class G driver’s licence
- Have at least three years of licensed driving experience
- Own a smartphone capable of running the Lyft Driver app
Step 3: Decide on How You’ll Secure a Car
Not every driver has a car ready to go, and that’s okay. You’ve got two main options: buying or leasing. The key thing to remember is that your car has to meet Lyft’s Vehicle Requirements:
- Must be seven years old or less
- Have four doors and five to eight seats (including the driver’s)
- Be registered with valid Ontario licence plates
- Be equipped with snow or all-season tires from December 1 to April 30
Buying
Buying a car, whether new or used, gives you the most control. Since Lyft only requires cars that are seven years old or newer, you don’t necessarily need something brand new. In fact, many drivers choose a used car because it lowers the upfront cost.
If you don’t want to pay the full cost upfront, you can also choose to finance your purchase. Financing is simply taking out a loan, usually through a dealership or bank, and making monthly payments until the car is paid off. This means you can spread out the cost and get driving sooner, but you’ll also have to pay interest on the loan.
To buy a car, visit a traditional dealership or browse online through sites like AutoTrader or Clutch. From there, you can then explore payment options either through the dealer or your bank.
Best if: you want full ownership, unlimited mileage, and plan to drive regularly.
Leasing
Leasing can be a good option if you want lower monthly payments or access to a newer car without committing to a full purchase. When you lease, you’re essentially renting the car long-term from a dealership for a set period of time, usually two to four years, and making fixed monthly payments. At the end of the term, you can either return the car, buy it out, or start a new lease.
The main drawback is that most leases come with mileage caps, and some lease agreements explicitly prohibit using the car for ridesharing. That’s why it’s so important to read the fine print and confirm with the dealership that Lyft driving is allowed before signing anything.
If you’re interested in leasing, you can start the process through a traditional dealership.
Best if: you want a newer car under warranty, lower upfront costs, and don’t drive enough to reach mileage restrictions.
Step 4: Get Vehicle Insurance
Once you’ve secured a car, the next step is getting it insured. In Ontario, that means setting up a personal auto insurance policy in your name for the vehicle you plan to drive. To do this, you can either directly contact an insurance company, like Aviva or belairdirect, or work with a broker who can shop around and compare rates on your behalf. You can also use an online platform like Surex to quickly compare quotes.
Once your policy is active, you’ll receive an insurance slip, which you should always keep in your car alongside its registration.
Step 5: Provide Documents
Lyft requires several documents to verify that you’re eligible to drive in Toronto. Once you’ve started the application process, you’ll be asked to upload photos of the following:
- Vehicle Registration: The official registration for the car you plan to drive with Lyft.
- Vehicle Insurance: Proof of insurance for the same car that shows your name, insurance company, policy number, and expiry date.
- Driver Profile Photo: This picture will be visible to riders and used to verify your identity.
- Safety Standard Certificate (SSC): Get your car inspected by a licensed mechanic and upload the certificate within 36 days of passing the inspection.
- Proof of Work Eligibility: Such as your Canadian passport, birth certificate, permanent resident card, or work permit.
- Driver Training Certification: You will have received this after completing a city-approved course.
You’ll also need to pass a driver screening, which checks your driving history and criminal record.
Step 6: Wait for Approval and PTC Licence
After providing all the documents in Step 5, Lyft will review your application and apply for a Private Transportation Company (PTC) Licence with the City of Toronto on your behalf.
When your application is approved and your PTC Licence has been issued, Lyft will notify you directly with the next steps. From there, you’ll be able to go online and begin driving passengers in Toronto.
Final Thoughts
Getting started as a Lyft driver in Toronto is easy once you know the steps: complete the training, upload your documents, and wait for your PTC Licence to be issued. From there, you’ll be set to get on the road and start earning.
Looking to drive for Uber? Check out our post on How to Become an Uber Driver in Toronto.
