Uber Now Allows Women to Choose Female Drivers and Vice-Versa Across US to Make Rides 'Safer'

Uber now lets women across the US choose to ride with female drivers. This expands a trial that began in a few cities.The feature aims to make rides safer after years of reports of sexual assault and driver misconduct.

Women can request a female driver for a trip, set it as a preference in their account, or book one in advance. Even teens with Uber accounts can use the option.

Uber says this is part of its continuing efforts to improve safety and respond to passenger concerns.

How The Women-Only Option Works

The new 'Women Drivers' feature allows female passengers to request a ride exclusively with a female driver. If a wait is too long, riders can choose another option. Drivers themselves can also set a preference to take trips with female passengers.

Uber says these preferences can be switched off at any time.

According to PBS News, the feature had previously been trialled in cities including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Detroit, before expanding nationwide. Uber first tested a similar option in Saudi Arabia in 2019 after women were granted the right to drive. The company now offers comparable programmes in around 40 countries, including Canada and Mexico.

Uber spokeswoman explained in court documents that the initiative responds to repeated feedback from both female riders and drivers who said they felt more comfortable and secure riding with women.

Male Uber Drivers Pushback

However, not all Uber drivers find it safe for their job, especially male drivers.

In California, two Uber drivers filed a class-action lawsuit saying it discriminates against men. They claim it gives female drivers access to all passengers, leaving male drivers with fewer trips, and reinforces the idea that men are more dangerous.

Drivers say the system can affect their livelihoods, especially in areas where female drivers are scarce or demand for women‑only rides is high. They argue that safety concerns should be addressed with other measures (better checks, training, monitoring) rather than gender restrictions.

Uber argues the drivers agreed to arbitration when joining the app and insists the programme protects public safety.

Lyft faces a similar lawsuit over its 'Women+Connect' feature, which lets women and nonbinary passengers choose drivers of the same gender identity.

Confirmed Assault Cases Involving Drivers

But it's also worth noting that safety has been a major concern for ride-hailing. In the same PBS report, Uber had 5,981 sexual assault incidents in US rides between 2017 and 2018. By 2021–22, this dropped to 2,717 incidents, about 0.0001% of trips.

In 2023, a US federal jury ordered Uber to pay £6.8m ($8.5m) in damages after finding it liable in a lawsuit brought by Jaylynn Dean, who said she was raped by an Uber driver when she was 19. The court determined the driver was acting as Uber's agent, making the company responsible for his actions.

NY Post reported that a 61‑year‑old Uber driver in Kentucky was charged with first‑degree rape and sodomy after allegedly raping a female passenger who passed out drunk during a ride home. Police used GPS and surveillance to corroborate the complainant's account, and the driver confessed during an investigation.

Recently, early this year, four Uber drivers in the Houston area were federally indicted for kidnapping and sexually assaulting female passengers between 2021 and 2025. Houston Chronicle shred that charges included driving victims to isolated locations and attacking them, with DNA evidence and victim testimony key to the cases.

The Only Way to Make Rides Safer

Uber's women-only driver feature is part of its wider efforts to make rides safer. In 2021, the company teamed up with Lyft to create a shared list of drivers removed for sexual assault or other crimes, stopping them from moving between platforms.

The ride-hailing app stresses that drivers are contractors, not employees, but says tools like this women-only option directly address safety worries.

Advocates say the feature gives women practical control over their journeys rather than discriminating against men. Riders can choose a driver they feel comfortable with, and female drivers who prefer women passengers can benefit from more flexibility and a safer work environment.

Uber also points out the programme is optional. Women riders don't have to select a female driver, and male drivers can still pick up female passengers.