Uber Expands Women-Only Driver Option Nationwide to Improve Rider Safety

The ride-hailing app now allows women across the US to request female drivers, part of ongoing efforts to address sexual assault concerns.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Uber has rolled out a nationwide feature allowing women in the US to choose female drivers, expanding a trial that began in a few cities. The 'Women Drivers' option 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.

Why it matters

Safety has been a major concern for ride-hailing, with Uber reporting thousands of sexual assault incidents in recent years. The women-only driver feature gives female passengers more control over their journeys and a sense of security, while also providing female drivers with a safer work environment. However, the move has faced some backlash, with male drivers arguing it discriminates against them and affects their livelihoods.

The details

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. 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, and now offers comparable programmes in around 40 countries.

  • Uber first tested a similar option in Saudi Arabia in 2019 after women were granted the right to drive.
  • Uber now offers comparable programmes in around 40 countries, including Canada and Mexico.

The players

Uber

An American ride-hailing company that has faced concerns over sexual assault incidents involving its drivers.

Lyft

A ride-hailing company that also offers a 'Women+Connect' feature allowing women and nonbinary passengers to choose drivers of the same gender identity.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

Uber's women-only driver feature is part of its wider efforts to make rides safer, addressing longstanding concerns over sexual assault and driver misconduct. While the move has faced some backlash, it gives female passengers more control over their journeys and a sense of security, while also providing female drivers with a safer work environment.