Uber rolls out nationwide option to match women riders and drivers amid lawsuit
Mar 10th 2026
Uber is rolling out a feature that lets women riders and drivers request each other nationwide, expanding a pilot despite legal challenges and concerns about supply and inclusion.
- Uber launched a nationwide Women Drivers feature to let female riders and drivers request matches with other women.
- Riders can request, reserve, or set a preference for a woman driver and may choose another ride if the wait is long, while drivers can request female riders and can turn the preference off.
- The rollout proceeds despite a California class action by drivers alleging sex discrimination under the Unruh Act and Uber has moved to compel arbitration.
- Uber says the feature is meant to enhance safety and attract more female drivers, but critics note only about 20 percent of US Uber drivers are women, which could limit availability.
- The option excludes nonbinary users and relies on the gender listed on drivers' licenses, which can affect transgender drivers' access to the feature.
- The change comes amid thousands of reported sexual assaults tied to ride hailing and a recent $8.5 million jury verdict finding Uber legally responsible in a 2023 assault case.