Happy Scents

How was it working with Lyft?

People ask me so I start to blog about it. I only get to work with Lyft for couple of months or so using my Nissan Altima (above car) in Chicago last year before I had an accident (not my fault, no injuries and not with a passenger). It will be a whole different story.

Lyft for me is like someone will drive for you in their own car. I will just get a lift or a ride especially in downtown Chicago where parking sucks and very expensive for example. It is a transportation like a cab but has an app on the phone where you can put the location/ multiple locations or rideshare and find the costs on the spot and choose. I was using the lyft app as a passenger before in a situation where I couldn’t drive so its a no brainer I decided to work for them instead of uber.

I applied online and was given instructions what to upload (identifying information) and to go to the hub. I went on Lyft hub around Old Irving Park neighborhood along blue line. We (I and a few applicants) were given orientation, background check, books, car inspections and stickers. I upload a lyft driver app different from passenger.

DO’s and DONT’s while driving for Lyft:

• For me it is good as an extra income or second job because there is hours where there is no passengers/ customers unless you love driving and working for yourself. You have to know that early hours 5-10 am or peak hours during the afternoon has many passengers. It is before and after work/school hours.
• It is considered self-employed 1099 so use Quickbooks or Taxbot (quite expensive) for car expenses and mileages which is tax deductible. I suggest to check first because with current Trump administration there was changes in tax laws.
• Put all stickers provided in front and back windshield because there is a fine especially in airport if you pick up passengers without it. There is a designated place to pick and drop off passengers in airports, malls, hotels and etc. Safety is number one priority for you and your passengers.
• Don’t pick up a passenger if they are more than your car’s capacity and seat-belts. Kindly refuse and let them know to order a lyft XL. If they refuse to go down, don’t go. One customer ordered and you will be shocked so many people enter your car (based on experience grrr). They don’t declare how many passengers so they can pay less but getting caught over this is not worth it. Rate him on app so you will not be paired up with the customer again.
• Don’t pick up a passenger without a car seat for babies and kids. Car seats are required for safety. Don’t break the law to get high ratings or please a passenger.
• Learn common routes around Chicago even lyft provide waze, and google maps for navigation. Do not rely on those especially Wacker Drive on downtown (navigation/gps don’t work). It was really frustrating for me and the passenger. It was my fault because I don’t have sense of location sometimes but customer threw a fit when I was trying to find a solution. Always rate a passenger after and explain your side.
• Please do car wash, use car diffuser (because I love essential oils), provide small bottle water, candy or let a passenger charge his/her phone. Aside from safety, they rate for ambiance and cleanliness too.
• Customers/Passengers especially in downtown require you to know the tourist spots because you will drive them there. It was nice to revisit your city, names and stories behind because I encounter passengers from out of state. It was nice talking to different people as well. They give nice tips for friendliness too.
• Don’t work late at night because people from bars/clubs (some are so drunk) need a ride. Puking and throwing up in your car was so gross. Clean up fee is so minimal and will not cover the cleaning of the inside of your car.
• They will put people in your queue especially if they choose rideshare (with another passenger) in a local, downtown or suburbs. Call people back if you can’t pick them up and let them know if you can especially for safety reasons. You will get a low ratings if you don’t answer the calls. Make sure everything is hands-free phone and navigation.
• Make you sure you have a good primary insurance aside from rideshare insurance.
• Get a cam dash if possible because protecting yourself from passenger assault and other drivers’ reckless behaviors. Don’t be too complacent. Your life is far more important and your car is your business so protect both.

I will definitely go back driving for lyft but not immediately with my new car. I have a good experience and definitely recommending it. I just have to take the learnings with me and set my anxieties aside. If you want to work with lyft, use my code DARYL252816. Have a safe driving!