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Uber Announces ‘Women Preferences’ Feature
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Last Updated: Jul 25, 2025
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Uber has introduced a new feature in the U.S. that allows women riders and drivers to match with other female users in order to enhance the platform’s safety and comfort.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Uber’s new “Women Preferred” mode launches in three U.S. cities.
- Women can request female drivers for added comfort and safety.
- The feature began in Saudi Arabia in 2019.
The Uber app enables women riders to select female drivers through three different options: on-demand rides with women drivers, reserved rides with women drivers, and a setting to match with women drivers by default.
Uber explains that this feature, called Women Preferences, will begin testing in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit in the coming weeks. The app enables women riders to select female drivers through three different options: on-demand rides, reserved rides, or a default setting to always match with women drivers.
“It’s about giving women more choice, more control, and more comfort when they ride and drive,” said Camiel Irving, Uber’s vice president of U.S. and Canada operations, as reported by CNBC.
Women drivers have the option to select female-only ride requests even during busy hours, and can enable or disable this option at any time.
The feature was first introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2019, after the government granted women the right to drive. The feature has grown to serve 40 nations, while providing more than 100 million trips.
The change comes as Uber faces ongoing criticism over safety concerns, as noted by The Verge. According to its 2024 safety report, there were 2,717 reported incidents of serious sexual assault or misconduct between 2021 and 2022.
Uber instructs female riders to cancel their ride and file a report if a male shows up after they select a female driver. The company plans to enhance the experience through user feedback, educational programs, and strategic partnerships.
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