Uber Expands Women-Only Ride Feature Nationwide, Facing Backlash from Some Male Drivers

The new Women Preferences option allows women riders to request women drivers, but a lawsuit alleges it discriminates against men.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Uber has announced a nationwide expansion of its Women Preferences feature, which allows women riders to request or reserve trips with women drivers and lets women drivers opt to receive ride requests from women only. While many women have praised the new option, it has caused upset with some male drivers, who have filed a class-action lawsuit alleging the policy unlawfully discriminates against men.

Why it matters

The lawsuit claims Uber's Women Preferences policy violates California's Unruh Civil Rights Act by limiting male drivers' access to rides and income by prioritizing women drivers for women riders. The plaintiffs argue the feature reinforces harmful gender stereotypes about men being less safe drivers.

The details

Under the Women Preferences feature, women riders can request a ride with a woman driver on demand, reserve a trip in advance with a woman driver, or set a preference for women drivers in the app. Women drivers can also opt in to receive trip requests from women riders only. Uber says the feature has been used for over 230 million trips globally and is now available to drivers in more than 40 countries and riders in seven countries, including the U.S.

  • In August 2025, Uber began implementing Women Preferences in select U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco.
  • In November 2025, two California-based Uber drivers filed a class-action lawsuit against the company over the Women Preferences policy.

The players

Uber

An American ride-hailing company that operates a mobile app allowing consumers to book and pay for transportation.

Andre Almond

A Los Angeles-based Uber driver who is a plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit against Uber over the Women Preferences policy.

Hans Ruud

A San Francisco-based Uber driver who is a plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit against Uber over the Women Preferences policy.

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What’s next

The lawsuit is still in its early stages, and Uber has not yet publicly responded in court filings included in the complaint. Meanwhile, Uber says it plans to continue expanding Women Preferences and gathering feedback as the feature rolls out nationwide and internationally.

The takeaway

Uber's Women Preferences feature highlights the ongoing debate around balancing gender equity and anti-discrimination policies in the gig economy. While many women have welcomed the option, the lawsuit alleges it unfairly limits opportunities for male drivers, underscoring the complex challenges of creating inclusive platforms that meet the diverse needs of all users.