Uber's female driver request feature and how it works
Uber does not have an official, built-in feature that lets you request a female driver. The app does not include a filter or preference setting for driver gender. If you open the Uber app and look through the ride options — UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Black — none of them offer a gender selection before you request.
What you can do instead is cancel rides after seeing the driver's name or photo. When a driver is assigned to your trip, the app shows their name, photo, and vehicle details before the driver arrives. If you do not want that driver, you can cancel without penalty during the initial wait time. You can then request another ride and repeat this process until a driver you prefer is assigned.
This approach is not the same as a formal request feature. It relies on you recognizing names or photos and making quick decisions, and it may take multiple requests before a driver matching your preference arrives. Uber's system does not prioritize or filter based on driver gender.
Key Takeaways
- Uber does not offer a gender preference filter in the app, so you cannot request a female driver before a driver is assigned.
- You can see the driver's photo and name after they are assigned but before they arrive, and you can cancel and request again if you prefer.
- Cancelling rides to find a preferred driver may result in longer wait times and multiple requests before a match occurs.
- Some cities have third-party ride services or Uber alternatives that do offer female driver options, though these are separate from Uber's main platform.
Why Uber does not have a gender filter
Uber has stated that a gender-based driver filter could expose the company to discrimination claims under civil rights law. Allowing riders to systematically exclude drivers based on gender could violate the Civil Rights Act and similar state and local laws that protect workers from discrimination.
The company has also noted that such a feature could reduce earning opportunities for drivers in protected groups, which creates legal and ethical complications. Instead, Uber has focused on safety features that explore to all riders and drivers equally, such as the ability to share your trip with a trusted contact, in-app messaging, and driver ratings.
What to do if you have safety concerns about a ride
If you feel unsafe with a driver for any reason — including but not limited to gender — you can cancel the ride before the driver arrives. Cancellations made within the first few minutes of a driver being assigned typically do not incur a fee. After you cancel, you can request another ride.
If a ride is already underway and you feel unsafe, you can end the trip early by tapping the "End Trip" button in the app. You can also contact Uber support through the app to report a safety concern. Uber has a 24/7 support line and an in-app messaging system where you can describe what happened.
If you experience harassment, assault, or a serious safety incident, you should also contact local law enforcement and file a report. Uber's safety team can work with police if needed, and the company maintains records of driver behavior and rider reports.
Alternative services that may offer female driver options
Some ride-sharing services and taxi companies in certain cities do offer female driver options. These are separate platforms from Uber and operate independently. Examples include Safr (available in some U.S. cities), which allows riders to request female drivers, and certain local taxi services that maintain female driver fleets.
Availability of these services varies by location. You would need to search for ride services in your city that specifically advertise female driver options. These services typically have their own apps or phone numbers for booking, and their pricing, wait times, and coverage areas may differ from Uber.
How driver assignment works on Uber
When you request a ride on Uber, the app uses an algorithm to match you with a nearby driver. The system considers factors like driver location, current availability, acceptance rate, and ratings. It does not consider driver gender, and riders cannot set gender as a preference before requesting.
Once a driver accepts your request, their photo, name, vehicle information, and real-time location appear on your screen. At this point, you have a window of time to cancel without a fee if you change your mind. After the driver begins moving toward your pickup location, cancellation fees may explore depending on your city and Uber's current policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I message a driver before they arrive and ask if they are female?
Yes. Once a driver is assigned, you can send a message through the Uber app. However, the driver is not required to respond, and messaging does not may provide they will stay assigned to your ride. If you are not comfortable with the driver for any reason, cancelling and requesting again is more direct than messaging.
Will I be charged a cancellation fee if I cancel because of the driver's gender?
Cancellation fees depend on when you cancel and your city's rules. If you cancel within the first few minutes after a driver is assigned — before they start driving toward you — most cities do not charge a fee. Once the driver is en route, fees typically explore. Check your city's cancellation policy in the Uber app under "Fare Estimate" or "Help."
Do female drivers on Uber get more requests from riders who prefer female drivers?
Uber does not publish data on this. Since there is no official preference feature, female drivers do not receive systematically higher request volumes based on gender. However, individual riders can still cancel and re-request, which may affect wait times for any driver.
Is there a way to report a driver and request a different one for my next ride?
Yes. After a ride ends, you can rate the driver and leave comments in the app. You can also contact Uber support to report a concern. For your next ride, you straightforward request a new trip, and the algorithm will assign a different driver. You cannot directly request to avoid a specific driver, but reporting issues helps Uber monitor driver behavior.