Rideshare paid sick leave is paid time off that Uber and Lyft drivers in New York earn while they work: 1 hour for every 30 hours, up to 56 hours a year. It was created by the New York Attorney General's settlements with the two companies in November 2023 (NY AG). You ask for it inside the app.
In one sentence: rideshare paid sick leave is a settlement benefit that pays you for hours you can't drive because you or a family member is sick.
Key numbers with as-of dates
- NYC vs the rest of the state. For trips covered by TLC's minimum pay rules, the settlement set sick pay at $17 an hour, adjusted yearly for inflation. Outside NYC it set a minimum of $26 an hour, also adjusted. The AG explains NYC's lower number: TLC's minimum pay rules "already include an amount for paid time off."
- What counts as work. Uber says you accrue "based on time spent en route or completing trips."
- Uses listed by Uber: your own illness or injury, diagnosis or preventive care, care of a family member, and certain absences related to domestic violence.
- Lyft. Lyft drivers are covered by the same kind of settlement, but we did not find Lyft's 2026 NYC rate on a page we could open.
Where you will see this term
- In the NYC Benefits Hub inside the Uber Driver app, where you see your balance and request time.
- In the AG's 2023 settlement announcement, which also returned $328 million in back pay ($290 million Uber, $38 million Lyft).
- In driver surveys and news about app work: TLC driver survey 2026 results.
Common mix-ups
- Not workers' comp. If you're hurt on a job, the Black Car Fund handles that.
- Not Drivers Benefits. The BCF's Drivers Benefits has disability and critical illness insurance for enrolled drivers; that is separate from sick leave.
- Not "Earn While You Learn." Those are one-time payments for taking BCF classes: Earn While You Learn.
- Not the city's employee sick-leave law. The AG said Uber and Lyft had failed to give drivers sick leave "available to employees under New York City and New York state law"; the settlement created this driver version instead.
How to use it, worked examples, and what to do if refused: paid sick leave for Uber and Lyft drivers.
Frequently asked questions
Where does rideshare paid sick leave come from?
From the New York Attorney General's settlements with Uber and Lyft, announced November 2, 2023. It is not a TLC rule and not a union contract.
How much do I earn?
One hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to 56 hours a year. Uber says time en route to pickups and time on trips both count.
How much is one hour worth in NYC?
Uber says that as of March 1, 2026, one hour redeems for $18.58. The settlement set $17 an hour for NYC trips covered by TLC minimum pay, adjusted every year for inflation. We did not find Lyft's current NYC rate published.
Do yellow taxi drivers get this?
No. The settlements were with Uber and Lyft and cover their drivers.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- NY Attorney General: $328 million from Uber and Lyft (Nov 2, 2023) ag.ny.gov
- Uber: NYC driver benefits (Apr 15, 2026) uber.com
- Drivers Benefits: Eligibility Requirements (effective April 9, 2026) ny.driversbenefits.org
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.