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A simple guide for bringing animals on a Lyft ride
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For most owners who don’t have their own means of transportation, getting from one place to another with their pets is always a big challenge. Not everyone will let you bring your dog inside their cars or cabs either due to personal hygiene, company policy, or medical conditions. Lyft understands these kinds of problems; that’s why it doesn’t prohibit pet owners from using its service. All you have to do is let your Lyft driver know. However, unless your dog is a legitimate service dog, not a pet or companion, it is still up to the driver's discretion to transport you or not.
Things You Should Know
- While service animals are always accepted, other types of pets are up to the driver to accept or deny.
- Inform the driver that you have an animal as soon as you book the ride.
- Companion animals, therapy dogs, and emotional support pets are not considered service animals.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Getting a Lyft Ride
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Open the Lyft app on your phone. Tap the app’s icon from your phone’s home screen to open it. -
Request a ride. Tap the “Request a Lyft” button from the app’s screen, and the nearest driver will arrive to pick you up.- You’ll also receive some basic information about the driver, including his or her name, the car they’re driving, and their contact number
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Section 2 of 3:
Informing the Driver
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Call the driver’s number displayed on Lyft. Take your phone and immediately contact the Lyft driver before he or she comes to pick you up. -
Inform the driver that you have your pet with you. Let the driver know that you’re with your pet before they arrive so that they know what to expect and make needed adjustments.- If you are a service dog handler traveling with your legitimate service dog (one that performs trained tasks to mitigate your disability) you do not have to call the driver. You may choose to but, by federal law, you are not required to call ahead.
- Drivers with medical conditions like allergies have logical reasons why they need to decline from giving you a ride. However, the law still protects service dog handlers and their dogs. If a driver must refuse you for medical reasons, they must notify Lyft immediately and Lyft must send another driver to you immediately.
- Lyft abides by the American Disability Act and has a No-Discrimination policy, which covers people who have service animals. Drivers who decline to give a lift to people with service dogs will be banned and removed from the Lyft service.
EXPERT TIPFormer Lyft & Uber DriverChristopher Batchelor has been driving for Lyft since July 2017 and Uber since August 2017. He has made more than 3300 combined rides as a driver for these ride-sharing services.Lyft drivers can not turn away a service animal. According to Uber and Lyft driver Chris Batchelor: "Service animals are allowed on Lyft rides, regardless of the service they're providing. As a driver, I always allow animals to come along. I just ask for the animal's name in case they join me in the passenger's seat."
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Take the ride. Once you’ve properly informed the Lyft driver of your companion, just wait for them to arrive and come pick you up at the designated location.
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Section 3 of 3:
Specifics For Service Dogs
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Know the law. In the US, federal law (The Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA) only protects people with legitimate Service Dogs. A Lyft driver is required to transport a service dog handler and their dog and only required to transport a service dog and handler. -
Don't pretend your dog is a service dog if it isn't. It is against the law and punishable by a large fine to falsely represent your pet or companion dog as a service dog. Companion dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support dogs are not service dogs. Although service dog handlers can, if they choose to, call Lyft to tell them they are traveling with their service dog they are not required to. [1] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionDo I have to crate? My dog is well-behaved, and petrified in crate.Community AnswerIt's up to the driver. Ask when you calling ahead. If it's OK, be sure to bring a clean blanket or towel to place on the seat.
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QuestionHow to verify a service dog?RobbieleeactorCommunity AnswerLegally, you only have to answer the question: "What service does the dog provide for you?" Keep in mind that an honest answer is best as making a false statement is against the law. No paperwork or special collar or dog vest is required in California.
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QuestionCan I bring an emotional support dog on a Lyft ride?Community AnswerYes, an emotional support animal has the same rules as a pet. A driver is not legally required to take you anywhere with the dog, however, since it is not a service dog.
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Tips
- If the driver courteously accepts and picks you and your companion up without any issue, don’t forget to give a good tip and leave positive feedback on their Lyft profile.Thanks
- Report any drivers who refuse to pick up people with service animals with them.Thanks
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About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 117,093 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Needed to take cat to vet, and luckily had the cat in a crate or the driver would not have complied. Drivers could carry a doggy blanket to protect their upholstery. Dogs are very willing to lie down on a blanket. " ..." more
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"Needed to take cat to vet, and luckily had the cat in a crate or the driver would not have complied. Drivers could carry a doggy blanket to protect their upholstery. Dogs are very willing to lie down on a blanket. "
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"Yes, very helpful. I do have a therapy dog, uncrated, and will use a blanket or towel. Also, tell the driver beforehand. The article covered everything I asked."
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"I had no idea if Lyft drivers were allowed to give rides to people with dogs. This WikiHow article was well-written, clear and informative."
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"This clarifies the distinction between service animals and pets for Lyft drivers and riders quite nicely."
"Yes, it helped, as I have a small chihuahua that rides with me, registered companion."
