Vehicle Inspection for Uber & Lyft Drivers in New York

Of all the cities in the US, New York is one of the most unique when it comes to transportation in general, and the RideShare industry is no exception. There are some unique regulations which won’t allow Uber or Lyft drivers in New York City to use RideShare Mechanic for their vehicle inspections, but regardless, the process is actually quite simple. Just for your own knowledge, all vehicle requirements in NYC are dictated by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC).

The first step in becoming approved to drive for Uber or Lyft in New York is to obtain a TLC license and renew it every 2 years through LARS (License Applications, Renewals, and Summonses). You’ll need to fill out the application (using your e-mail address) and pay the applicable fees.

After you have your TLC license, one important regulation to note is that the vehicle must be inspected at least once every 4 months at the DMV inspection facility. This a New York state requirement. Note that the inspection is NOT done at the TLC’s inspection facility and Uber will not coordinate or help you set your appointment- this is something you have to do independently of Uber.

So where should you go for the mandatory inspection every 4 months? You can head to any DMV-regulated inspection station and they will provide you with an updated inspection sticker after you complete the inspection, which will keep you in good driver status with Uber.

You can find a list of inspection locations here. Failing to comply with inspection requirements may result in fines and penalties from the TLC. So always keep in mind that you are responsible for your own compliance with the TLC rules, and should they arise, you are responsible for dealing with any incidents resulting in violations of the rules.

Vehicle Inspection in New York suburbs

The regulations mentioned in the previous section were specific to New York City. Other cities such as Long Island and Westchester have different requirements. In state inspection / NY requires each registered vehicle to receive an inspection every 12 months.

Uber vehicle requirements in New York

Do you know what Uber inspectors look for during an Uber vehicle inspection in New York? While inspections may vary according to local regulations, there are certain requirements that all driver should meet before they can be Uber approved. These include: no cosmetic damage, be a 4-door vehicle with space for at least 4 passengers, younger than 10 years old, and have fully-functional seat belts for all passengers.

Vehicle requirements for Uber

• 4-door car or minivan
• Model year 2006 or newer unless otherwise stated (NOTE: Some vehicle models have a higher minimum year requirement)
• Good condition with no cosmetic damage
• No commercial branding
• Your vehicle must have a vehicle emissions inspection at a NYS DMV inspection facility

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TLC insurance and plating

• Your vehicle must have commercial insurance, TLC plates, and be affiliated with a base
• You must be listed as an insured driver on the vehicle’s insurance policy

New York Uber vehicle inspection form

• Receive inspection form at a TLC’s Safety & Emissions Facility

Uber Greenlight Hub Locations in New York

Uber Greenlight Hubs can be found all across the country, offering a place where drivers can go in person to complete their Uber vehicle inspections and also receive assistance on their driver account. For New York, you can find a Greenlight Hub at the following addresses:

Buffalo Greenlight Spot – North Delaware, NY

2636 Delaware Ave, Sprint Store Buffalo, New York 14216

Long Island Greenlight Spot – Westbury, NY

1230 Corporate Dr, Sprint Store Westbury, New York 11590

Long Island Greenlight Spot – Bay Shore, NY

1732 Sunrise Highway, Sprint Store Bay Shore, New York 11706

Queens Greenlight Hub – Long Island City, NY

31-00 47th Avenue, First Floor of the Falchi Building Long Island City, New York 11101

Bronx Greenlight Hub – Crotona Park, NY

961 East 174th Street, New Horizons Shopping Mall Bronx, New York 10460

Lyft vehicle requirements in New York

The vehicle requirements for Lyft can vary slightly among different states, however there are base requirements that all vehicles must meet, such as: valid insurance and registration, 4-door car, at least 5 seatbelts, pass the 19-point vehicle inspection.

One thing that is worth noting about the first point is that the car does not need to be registered in your name; however, your name must be on the insurance.

Vehicle requirements

• 2004 or newer
• 4 doors
• 5-8 seats, including the driver’s
• No taxis, livery vehicles, limos, black cars, or other for-hire vehicles

Document requirements

• New York State driver’s license
• Vehicle registration
• Personal vehicle insurance
• Driver photo

New York Lyft vehicle inspection form

• Receive inspection form at a TLC’s Safety & Emissions Facility

Lyft vehicle inspection locations in New York

If you prefer to take your vehicle to a physical location for an inspection (as opposed to using RideShare Mechanic’s virtual inspection service), you can do an online search for “Lyft Inspection” + “THE NAME OF YOUR CITY”.

Inspection location other than RideShare Mechanic:

You can go to a certified mechanic in your local area or better yet, stay at home while you have a complete vehicle inspection over video chat with RideShare Mechanic!