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Where once a showy pink mustache decorated the dashboards of Lyft vehicles (God bless the radiators whose airflow was constricted by those big furry things), the Lyft Amp has now claimed its place.
Back in 2016, the brightly branded rideshare company officially retired its signature “Glowstache” and replaced it with a modern, tech-forward dashboard accessory.
Known as the “Amp,” this unique device has made the Lyft experience more recognizable and personalized than ever.
Keep reading to learn about the device, how it works, and how you can receive a complimentary Lyft Amp in your mailbox.
The Lyft Amp is a detachable device designed to improve your Lyft driving experience. The pill-shaped Amp is Bluetooth and LED-enabled and works after being plugged in and paired with your phone.
The Lyft Amp attaches to your car dashboard and acts as an official Lyft sign, making Lyft’s trade dress immediately noticeable.
It’s a way to create a more unique driving experience for you and your passengers and a way to stand out from Uber and other ridesharing services
It is worth noting that the message on the Amp sign cannot be customized. However, in addition to displaying the Lyft logo, the Amp changes to one of five different colors to match your rider’s app.
This is called the “Beaconing” feature.
By making you easier to identify, the Beaconing feature helps riders get to you faster, which means you’ll be en route to earning and receiving your next trip request before you know it.
This is particularly helpful when driving at the airport or at events, where many riders are requesting Lyft rides at the same time, especially if you’re one of many UberX drivers with common car models.
The interior-facing side of the Lyft Amp will automatically greet your rider by name as they’re in the vehicle, as a personalized touch to better the ride experience.
Once you’re en route, your device will update your rider with their estimated time of arrival, so they don’t even need to pick up their phone to check their ride progress.
If you’re on a Shared or Shared Saver trip, the Amp will also announce the next passenger to be dropped off. This is a way for Lyft to guarantee that its drivers are committed to safety by remaining under the trade dress at all times.
When I get picked up by a driver, I love seeing the Lyft amp in their windshield. Since their release, I have always been fascinated with them – especially the fact that the messaging and colors change as the ride progresses.
When I drive, I always have mine plugged in. Not only does it allow your car to be more visible to riders, making it easier for passengers to identify your vehicle, but also adds a professional touch.
If you’re in the market for one, remember that they’re often available through various channels, sometimes even for free or at a nominal cost. However, be mindful of regional regulations as they might affect the legality of using such devices.
In any case, the Lyft Amp can be a cool accessory to have, adding a bit of flair to your rideshare gig.
To start using the Lyft Amp, launch the device and pair it with your phone via the app:
Ensure your phone Bluetooth is on to connect automatically.
They’re actually super easier to use, and require very little once they’re set up. You pretty much don’t need to touch the device beyond its setup phase.
Here’s how to check whether you’re eligible for it:
From there, you can view how many rides you’ve completed and order the device directly from the app if you’re eligible. Note that you’ll be unable to apply for a Lyft Amp if your account has been deactivated.
If you use Lyft Express Drive, your vehicle may come with an Amp by default, so taking care of it is essential to avoid paying damage fees when your rental period expires.
The official Lyft Amp can’t be bought via the official website. It’s only sold on third-party stores such as eBay.
For eligible drivers, Lyft provides the means of dispatching the device to your location without the need to pay any money. But if you’re interested in buying one on eBay, the price range is between $50 and $200.
While the Lyft Amp is largely a fun, useful device for your riders, it’s also highly beneficial to drivers in many ways.
First, the device makes your driving experience far safer. It will notify you when you have a new ride request, keeping your eyes closer to the road.
Plus, it reduces the need for back-and-forth messaging with your passengers, as they’ll be able to quickly identify you from afar by cross-checking their ride’s color on their own Lyft app.
Piggybacking off of this fact, the Lyft Amp additionally speeds up your pick-up process. Cars can be difficult to identify, especially if you’re driving at night, so having an illuminated sign personalized to your rider will end up making a difference.
In rideshare, time really is money.
One final benefit of using the Lyft Amp is that you’ll no longer need a front emblem (also known as a Lyft sticker on your front windshield).
With the Amp, you can easily be identified as a rideshare driver when getting riders to and from the airport, or to exclusive events and rideshare areas — again, speeding up your trips little by little
Using the Lyft Amp likely won’t have a direct affect on your tips, or your ratings for that matter.
This is because the Amp is more of a reflection of Lyft’s attention to detail than your service as a Lyft driver.
However, the technology will only benefit your rider’s pick-up and on-trip experience, so if you provide five-star service on top of that, there’s a strong chance you’ll receive a generous tip.
In 2016, shortly after Lyft launched Amp, Uber launched the pilot of their own color-pairing device called Uber Uber Beacon. It’s not as personalized as the Lyft Amp, but it does help riders recognize their drivers.
However, most Uber drivers are unable to receive this device, as it is only available to those who meet unspecified qualifications in a small amount of cities.
The Uber Beacon still appears to be active, though it’s unclear if the pilot phase has completed or if a wider roll-out will occur anytime soon.
Unfortunately, you cannot customize the messages that roll out on your device. This messaging is controlled by professional team members at Lyft, which helps them update features, while preventing any off-brand messaging or typos that may be unpleasant for your rider.
The official Lyft website states that Amp distribution has been temporarily paused in some parts of the U.S., so you may have to wait for a bit to get yours. But that’s no reason not to go for it, as you’ll be notified as soon as your application is deemed eligible.
Lyft Amps make your vehicle more visible to other drivers, so you further reduce the chances of an accident, ensuring a safe driving experience. It’s also a way to help you stand out from workers of other ridesharing services like Uber.
