Lyft Introduces “Favorite Driver”

I think the driver community is going to enjoy this latest feature by Lyft. They have been asking about it for a while and finally Lyft took the lead and accomplished it.

Today, Lyft will unveil a new “favorite” driver feature within the existing Lyft app that allows riders to “favorite” a driver to make it easier to match with them in the future. Fun fact: Lyft CEO David Risher helped shape the concept and reviewed designs with the team. 

Here’s How It Works

Lyft is rolling this out in select cities in the coming weeks, with a wider launch in the US and Canada by the end of August. When booking a future scheduled ride, Lyft will prioritize matching riders with their favorite drivers whenever possible. For drivers, it means early access to ride requests from returning passengers and giving them more opportunities and a chance to build loyalty with riders who appreciate great service.

The Inspiration? 

Lyft wanted to find new ways to reward drivers for a job well done. Real moments like the story of Phoenix-based Lyft driver Dina Garrett who has taken rider Monika Hannibal for over 350 rides to various medical appointments, and have since become friends. 

Safety-First Design

Favoriting drivers is one part of Lyft’s ongoing commitment to make the platform the safest way to get around, while giving riders/drivers the tools they need to feel secure. That’s why alongside favoriting drivers, Lyft is also launching driver blocking so riders can prevent future matches with a driver they’d prefer to not ride with again, as well as a Lyft’s Safety Hub that brings all of Lyft’s safety features together for easy access.

Empowering Drivers

Lyft’s goal with letting riders favorite drivers is to find new ways to reward the driver community for providing an excellent ride. When a driver is added to someone’s favorites list, they will be notified and unlock priority access to that rider’s future scheduled ride requests. These opportunities will be clearly marked for drivers as coming from someone who favorited them in the past.

This is another step towards providing additional earnings opportunities and building lasting relationships with riders. When drivers know they're appreciated, it creates a positive cycle. They're motivated to continue providing exceptional service, and you get consistently great rides with people you trust. 

Ready to become someone’s favorite driver? Look out for these features as they start to roll out in select regions in the coming weeks, with a wider launch in the US and Canada by the end of August. Be sure to update your Lyft app and start building those special connections that make every ride better.

• Rider-driven favorites: Riders can mark drivers they’ve had great experiences with as “Favorites.”
  

• Driver notification & priority pings: Favorited drivers receive a notification in the app and gain priority access to that rider’s scheduled ride requests. These rides will clearly display that they come from a rider who favorited them before.
  

• Highlighting appreciation: It’s Lyft’s way of rewarding top-rated drivers and encouraging ongoing, positive interactions between trusted pairs.
  

• Boosts driver earnings and morale: Drivers feel valued, motivating them to maintain excellent service—encouraging a positive feedback loop.
  

• Enhances rider experience: Riders get matched with drivers they already trust and enjoy riding with.
  

• Strengthens community: This feature supports loyalty and helps both sides build rapport over time.

This feature is part of Lyft’s broader initiative to reward safe, consistent, and high-quality driving similar to their “Preferred Driver” program, which boosts ride requests and earnings for drivers with high safety and reliability scores.

Lyft’s new Favorite Driver feature is a smart move that benefits both drivers and riders. It rewards great service by giving top drivers priority access to scheduled rides from passengers who appreciated them in the past. This builds trust and loyalty on both sides, encouraging better experiences and more consistent earnings.

It’s also a subtle way for Lyft to personalize the platform without adding complexity. As a driver, it feels good to be recognized, and as a rider, getting someone you already trust makes every trip smoother. Overall, it's a win-win that strengthens the community and adds real value.

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