Uber Women Drivers: Testing the New Female Driver Option

A woman riding in Los Angeles this week was among the first in the United States to utilize Uber’s new “Women Preferences” feature, selecting a female driver through the ride-sharing app.

The feature, launched July 23, 2025, allows riders to request a female driver, reserve a trip with a female driver in advance, or set a preference for female drivers in their account settings, according to Uber. The rollout began as a pilot program in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, cities identified by Uber as having the highest demand for the option.

Uber Vice President of Operations for U.S. And Canada, Camiel Irving, stated the company’s intention is to “give women more choice, more control, and more comfort when they ride and drive.” Irving also noted the feature has been available internationally for six years, originating in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and expanding to over 30 countries, facilitating over 100 million trips with women drivers.

The feature addresses safety concerns that have plagued the ride-sharing industry, with Uber facing thousands of sexual assault claims and related lawsuits. While Uber maintains it cannot guarantee a match with a female driver every time due to availability, particularly during peak hours or in less populated areas, the Reserve function offers riders the ability to pre-book trips with a female driver for increased certainty.

According to Uber, drivers can toggle the “Women Rider Preference” option on or off in their app settings, increasing their chances of being matched with female riders when activated. The company acknowledges that the number of female drivers on the platform is currently lower than the number of male drivers, which may result in longer wait times for riders utilizing the Women Preferences feature.

Uber intends to expand the pilot program to additional cities if the initial launch proves effective, with Irving stating the company aims to “get this into as many cities as we can during this pilot phase.” The company has also highlighted the earning opportunities for drivers, particularly during nighttime hours, while acknowledging some women drivers may be hesitant to accept late-night rides.