Rebeka Barefield
If you’re a new driver, these Lyft driver tips will help you make the most of your gig. From learning how to use the Lyft driver app efficiently to increasing your earnings, these tips can kickstart your Lyft career.
Table of Contents
How to Make the Most of the Lyft App
The Lyft app offers numerous features that can optimize your time on the road:
1. Familiarize Yourself with the App’s Key Features
Always swipe to confirm arrival rather than sending messages, and avoid unnecessary communication. Efficient usage saves time, improving productivity.
2. Auto-Accept Rides
Turn on the automatic ride acceptance feature to avoid constantly checking your phone. This helps you focus on driving rather than managing requests manually.
3. Pre-Recorded Messages
Keep in mind that you can only send pre-recorded messages to your riders unless they send a message first. If you are familiar with them, you will be able to communicate swiftly and minimize distractions while driving.
4. Monitor Other Lyft Drivers
Download the Lyft app for riders and keep an eye on the driver density in your area. If there are too many drivers, move to a less saturated area to increase your chances of securing more Lyft rides.
5. Go Offline before Breaks
When you need a break, mark yourself as “offline” while finishing your last ride. This prevents new requests and avoids hurting your stats by declining rides, which can affect bonuses.
6. Utilize Lyft’s Special Settings
Use the “Arrive on Time” setting to find rides that get you to your destination by a certain time. The “Head to Destination” filter is useful when heading home, as it finds rides that align with your route.
7. Choose Your Payout Method
Lyft earnings are typically paid out every Tuesday, but you can also request immediate cashout for a small fee, or for free with Lyft Direct. Stay on top of these payout schedules to manage your finances efficiently.
8. Achieve Bonuses
Lyft bonuses include streaks (completing multiple rides in a row), ride challenges (earning extra for completing a set number of rides in a timeframe), and the Earnings Guarantee, meaning that you are entitled to a minimum amount of pay if you finish a certain number of rides in a given timeframe. Furthermore, the app will indicate bonus zones and timeframes that reward you with bonuses.
How to Increase Tips from Your Lyfts
Boosting tips can be a great way to maximize your overall earnings:
1. Keep a Clean Car
A clean car creates a positive first impression. Riders appreciate the effort, and this simple step can lead to better tips. You can even use air refreshers and add decorations.
2. Offer Amenities
Stock up on items like water, gum, or phone chargers to enhance the rider experience. These small gestures often result in generous tipping.
3. Be Friendly and Professional
Politeness goes a long way. Striking up a light conversation or offering to help with luggage shows you care about the rider’s experience.
How to Save Money on Gas
Saving on gas is crucial to maximizing Lyft driver earnings:
1. Track Fuel Efficiency
If your car doesn’t track fuel efficiency, simply calculate it by driving with a full tank, then refueling again and dividing the number of gallons refueled by the miles driven. This helps you stay aware of how much fuel you’re using on each shift.
2. Mindful Driving
Avoid sudden braking and acceleration. Smooth driving habits not only improve fuel efficiency but also contribute to a safer driving experience.
3. Choose the Right Locations
Try heading for smaller towns if driving to big cities results in fuel-consuming commutes, and avoid busy airports where you may waste time waiting in long queues. This strategy can save you both time and fuel.
4. Use Gas Price Apps
Try using specialized apps to find the cheapest gas stations in your area. Reducing fuel costs directly increases your Lyft earnings.
Deduct Gas from Your Taxes by Tracking Miles
As a Lyft driver, tracking miles for tax deductions can save you a significant amount on your taxes.
1. Maximize your Tax Deductions
Instead of deducting gas expenses, consider the standard mileage deduction. This often results in larger savings and it accounts for wear and tear on your car, gas, carwash, insurance, repairs, etc. Furthermore, it is easier to track business miles than to organize receipts and guess the percentage you use your car for business.
1. Track your Lyft Miles Using Apps
The Lyft driver app includes a mileage tracker, but consider using additional apps like MileageWise for accurate records. This ensures that you deduct all eligible miles from your taxes, not just your online miles.
3. Track Other Deductible Expenses
Beyond miles, you can also deduct expenses like internet and phone bills, amenities, and equipment. This comprehensive approach ensures you’re getting the most out of your Lyft career from a financial perspective.
Read more here about Lyft driver requirements and tax responsibilities here.
These Lyft driver tips will help you not only increase your Lyft earnings but also enhance your driving experience. Whether it’s managing the Lyft driver app, improving tips, or saving on gas, following these strategies can lead to a more successful and rewarding time on the road.
FAQs
Maximizing earnings as a Lyft driver involves utilizing app features like “Auto-Accept Rides” and “Head to Destination” filters, monitoring driver density to find areas with higher demand, and leveraging bonuses such as streaks and ride challenges. Maintaining a clean vehicle and offering small amenities can also improve your chances of receiving tips.
Lyft drivers can earn bonuses such as streaks for completing consecutive rides, ride challenges for fulfilling a set number of rides in a specified timeframe, working in bonus zones or timeframes, and an Earnings Guarantee. If your earnings fall below the guaranteed amount after a certain number of rides, Lyft will pay the difference as a bonus.
To take a break without impacting your stats, go “offline” in the Lyft driver app while you’re on your final ride. This prevents new ride requests from coming in and avoids declining rides, which can hurt your acceptance rate and bonus eligibility.
The Lyft driver app includes a mileage tracker, but using additional apps like MileageWise can ensure accurate records of both online and offline miles. Tracking miles allows you to take advantage of the standard mileage deduction, which often results in greater tax savings than deducting gas expenses alone.
Download MileageWise’s automatic mileage tracker app from Google Play or the App Store & try it for free for 14 days. No credit card required!
MileageWise | TripLog | MileIQ | Everlance | Driversnote | SherpaShare | Hurdlr | Excel | |
User Ratings (Trustpilot) | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||
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Android App User Ratings |
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Average Possible Business Mileage Deduction | $12,000 | $6,300 | $8,400 | $6,500 | $6,000 | $5,600 | $5,600 | $200-$2,000 |
Imports Trips and locations from Google Timeline | ||||||||
Produces IRS-Proof Mileage Logs | ||||||||
Creates Retrospective Mileage Logs | ||||||||
AI Wizard Technology for Mileage Recovery | ||||||||
Sampling / Recurring Daily Trips | ||||||||
Mass Distance Calculation | ||||||||
Built-In IRS Auditor for 70 Logical Conflicts Correction | ||||||||
Web Dashboard | ||||||||
Mileage Tracker App | ||||||||
Vehicle Expense Tracker | ||||||||
Manual Trip Recording | ||||||||
Bluetooth Auto Tracking - with no hardware needed | ||||||||
Plug'N'Go Auto Tracking | ||||||||
Vehicle Movement Monitoring | ||||||||
Battery and Data Friendly | ||||||||
Other Software Integrations | ||||||||
Trip List Import from other Mileage Trackers | ||||||||
Trip List Import from GPS | ||||||||
Shared Dashboard for Teams | ||||||||
Features are all related to mileage tracking | ||||||||
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