Uber has rolled out a new feature across the United States that allows women to be matched exclusively with female drivers.
Uber has rolled out a new feature
The feature, introduced via a company blog post, gives female passengers the option to request a woman driver through a new setting. Users can also reserve trips in advance with a female driver or adjust their app preferences to prioritise matching with women, although this does not guarantee availability.
If wait times are too long, passengers still have the option to accept a standard ride.
The update also extends to younger users, with teen account holders now able to request female drivers, while female drivers themselves can choose to accept trips only from women. This preference can be switched on or off at any time within the app.
The company has already trialled similar functionality in more than 40 countries for drivers and seven countries for riders, including Spain, Brazil and Saudi Arabia.
In the US, the initiative has attracted legal scrutiny. In November, two California-based drivers filed a class-action lawsuit, arguing that the feature violates the state’s Unruh Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination by businesses.
The claim alleges the policy gives female drivers access to a broader pool of passengers, while male drivers are left competing for fewer fares. It also argues the feature could reinforce stereotypes about safety and gender.
Uber has rejected the claims, stating that the feature supports a “strong and recognised public policy interest in enhancing safety.”
The company said in the court filing: “This feature is a commonsense solution to a longstanding request from both women drivers and riders who told Uber they would feel more comfortable and safer if they could choose to ride with another woman."