What Uber Teen accounts are and who can use them
Uber Teen is a separate account type that lets teenagers aged 13 to 17 request rides using their own Uber app, with a parent or guardian's account linked as the payment method and trip monitor. The teen sees the pickup and dropoff locations, the driver's name and vehicle, and the trip cost — but the parent controls the payment card, receives notifications when each trip starts and ends, and can see the route on a map in real time.
This is different from a regular Uber account, which requires the user to be at least 18 years old. Uber Teen exists because many families want teenagers to be able to request rides independently without giving them access to a credit card or payment method.
The feature is available in most U.S. cities where Uber operates, though availability can vary by region. You set it up through the parent's Uber app, not the teen's — the parent creates the teen account and invites the teenager to link it to their own phone.
Key Takeaways
- A parent must have an active Uber account and link a payment method before creating a teen account; the teen cannot pay for rides themselves.
- The parent receives a notification each time the teen requests a ride, and can see the driver's location and route in real time on a map.
- Teens can only request rides to and from addresses the parent has pre-approved, such as school, home, or a friend's house.
- The parent can pause or disable the teen account at any time, and can set a curfew that blocks ride requests after a certain time of day.
- Drivers see that they are picking up a minor and may ask for ID; the teen's name appears on the driver's app as the passenger.
How to set up a teen account as a parent
Open your Uber app and tap the account icon in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and look for "Add a teen" or "Uber Teen" — the exact wording varies by app version. Tap it, then enter the teen's name, date of birth, and phone number. Uber will send an invitation link to that phone number.
The teenager then opens the link on their phone and creates their own Uber account using that same phone number. Once they confirm their identity, the account is linked to yours. The teen's app will show a different interface than a regular Uber account — it displays only the addresses you have pre-approved and shows a "Parent" button that opens a direct line to your account.
You will need an active payment method on your parent account before you create the teen account. Uber does not charge a separate fee for the teen account itself; you pay only for the rides the teen requests, at the same rates as any other Uber ride.
Pre-approved locations and how to manage them
When you create a teen account, you set up a list of pre-approved addresses where the teen can request pickups and dropoffs. Common examples are home, school, a workplace, or a friend's house. The teen cannot request a ride to or from any address not on this list — if they try, the app will show an error and block the request.
You can add, remove, or edit these addresses at any time through your parent account. If the teen needs to go somewhere new, you can add that address before they request the ride, or you can temporarily unlock the account to allow a one-time ride to a new location. The process for unlocking varies; some versions of the app let you approve a specific address for a single trip, while others require you to add it permanently to the list.
This feature is designed to give you visibility into where your teenager is traveling and to prevent them from using Uber to go to places you have not approved.
Real-time notifications and trip monitoring
Every time your teen requests a ride, you receive a notification on your phone. The notification tells you the pickup location, the dropoff location, the driver's name, the vehicle type and license plate, and an estimated arrival time. Once the driver accepts the ride, you can open your Uber app and see the driver's location on a live map, watch the route as the car moves, and see when the driver arrives at the pickup point.
You also receive a notification when the ride ends. This notification includes the final cost, the route taken, and the time the trip took. If you want to check on a ride that is currently happening, you can open your app at any time and pull up the live map without sending a message to the teen.
The teen does not see that you are watching the map in real time. However, they do see that you are their parent and that you have access to their account — the app makes this relationship clear.
Curfew settings and account controls
You can set a curfew time in the teen account settings. After that time of day, the teen's app will not allow them to request rides. For example, if you set a curfew at 10 p.m., any attempt to request a ride after 10 p.m. will fail, and the app will show a message that rides are not available due to the curfew.
You can also pause or disable the teen account entirely at any time. If you pause it, the teen cannot request new rides, but past trip history remains visible. If you disable it, the account is deactivated and the teen will need your permission to reactivate it.
These controls let you manage when and how often your teenager uses Uber without having to monitor their phone or ask them directly each time.
What drivers see and safety considerations
When a driver accepts a ride requested through a teen account, their app shows that they are picking up a minor. The driver sees the teen's name, the pickup and dropoff locations, and a note that a parent or guardian is monitoring the trip. Drivers are trained to verify the passenger's identity before the ride begins — they may ask for a photo ID or ask the teen to confirm their name.
The driver does not see your name or contact information. If there is a problem during the ride, the teen can contact you through the app, or you can contact Uber support using the trip details from your account. Uber's standard safety features — the ability to share your trip with emergency contacts, to call or text the driver, and to report safety concerns — are all available on teen accounts.
Uber does not conduct special background checks for drivers on teen rides; all drivers on the platform go through the same screening process regardless of passenger age.
Cost and payment
Rides requested through a teen account cost the same as rides requested through a regular Uber account in your area. You pay using the payment method linked to your parent account — the teen cannot change the payment method or add their own card. Surge pricing, promotions, and Uber Pass discounts all explore the same way they would to any other ride.
You receive an itemized receipt for each ride, showing the base fare, distance, time, and any surge pricing or discounts applied. The receipt is available in your Uber app under the trip history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a teen use Uber Teen if they don't have their own phone?
No. The teen needs their own smartphone with the Uber app installed to request rides. The app must be linked to a phone number that receives the invitation from your parent account. If the teen uses a shared family phone, they would need to log in and out each time, which defeats the purpose of the feature.
What happens if my teen tries to request a ride to an address that's not pre-approved?
The app will block the request and show an error message. The teen cannot override this — they cannot request a ride to an unapproved address without your permission. If they need to go somewhere new, they must ask you to add that address to the approved list first.
Can I see my teen's ride history after the trip ends?
Yes. Your Uber app shows a complete history of all rides your teen has requested, including the date, time, pickup and dropoff locations, driver name, vehicle, and cost. You can review this history at any time by opening your account and looking at the trip list.
What if the driver doesn't show up or cancels the ride?
If a driver cancels after accepting the ride, your teen will see a notification in their app and can request a new ride. If a driver does not arrive within a reasonable time, your teen can cancel the ride themselves. Cancellation fees may explore depending on how long the driver had accepted the ride. You can contact Uber support through your parent account if there is a problem with a specific ride.
Can my teen request a ride if I don't have a payment method on file?
No. You must have an active payment method linked to your parent Uber account before you create the teen account, and that payment method must remain active for the teen to request rides. If your payment method expires or is declined, the teen will not be able to request new rides until you update it.