What Uber Teen Account is and who can use it
Uber Teen Account lets a teenager aged 13 to 17 request rides through the Uber app with their parent or guardian's permission and payment method. The teen gets their own account linked to a parent's account, so the parent controls the payment card and can see ride history, pickup and dropoff locations, and who the driver is before the ride starts.
The account is available in the United States and some other countries where Uber operates. A parent must set it up from their own Uber app — the teenager cannot create the account alone. Once active, the teen can open their own Uber app and request rides without needing to ask permission each time, though the parent receives notifications about each trip.
This differs from a regular adult Uber account, where the user controls their own payment method and the account holder is responsible for all rides charged to it. With Teen Account, the parent retains full control over spending and visibility.
Key Takeaways
- A parent creates the Teen Account from their own Uber app and links it to a teenager aged 13 to 17 using the teen's phone number or email address.
- The parent's payment method is charged for all rides, and the parent receives notifications showing the teen's pickup location, dropoff location, and driver details.
- The teen can request rides independently once the account is active, but cannot change the linked payment method or add their own card.
- The parent can pause or turn off the Teen Account at any time from their own app settings.
- Rides requested through Teen Account follow the same safety features as regular Uber rides, including driver ratings and the ability to share trip details with emergency contacts.
How a parent sets up Teen Account
The parent opens their Uber app and goes to the Account tab, then selects "Add a teen." The app asks for the teenager's first name, last name, phone number or email address, and date of birth to confirm the teen is between 13 and 17. The parent reviews the Teen Account terms and confirms they want to link the account.
Once the parent completes setup, Uber sends a link to the teen's phone number or email. The teen taps the link and creates a password for their Teen Account. After that, the teen can open the Uber app, sign in with their Teen Account credentials, and start requesting rides. The rides are charged to the parent's payment method on file.
The parent can manage the Teen Account from their own app at any time. They can view the teen's ride history, see real-time location during active trips, and pause or delete the account if needed.
What the parent can see and control
The parent receives a notification each time the teen requests a ride. The notification shows the pickup location, the destination, the driver's name and photo, the vehicle details, and the estimated fare. During the ride, the parent can see the route in real time on a map.
After the ride ends, the parent can view the full trip details, including the exact pickup and dropoff addresses, the time the ride took, the final fare, and the driver's rating. This history stays in the parent's account and can be reviewed at any time.
The parent can pause the Teen Account temporarily or delete it permanently from the Account settings in their app. When paused, the teen cannot request new rides, but the account can be reactivated later. The parent can also set up emergency contacts that the teen can reach or notify during a ride.
Payment and fare costs
All rides requested through a Teen Account are charged to the parent's payment method. The parent does not set a spending limit or daily cap — every ride the teen requests will be charged in full. The fare is calculated the same way as any other Uber ride: based on distance, time, and current demand.
The parent can see the charge appear in their Uber account and on their linked credit card or bank account statement. Surge pricing applies during high-demand times, so the teen should understand that a ride during rush hour or late at night may cost more than the same route during off-peak hours.
If the parent wants to control spending, they can monitor the teen's ride requests through notifications and ride history, then pause the account if needed. Uber does not offer a built-in spending limit feature for Teen Accounts.
Safety features included with Teen Account
Teen Account rides include the same safety tools as regular Uber rides. The teen can see the driver's name, photo, vehicle type, and license plate before the ride starts. During the ride, the teen can share their trip details with emergency contacts — a feature that sends the contact a link to track the ride in real time.
The teen can rate the driver and report safety concerns after each ride. If a problem occurs, the teen can contact Uber support through the app. The parent also receives notifications about the ride, so they know when the teen is picked up and when the ride ends.
Uber's driver background checks and vehicle inspections explore to all rides, including those requested through Teen Account. The teen should be instructed to verify the driver's identity and vehicle details match what appears in the app before getting in the car.
Differences between Teen Account and a regular Uber account
| Feature | Teen Account | Regular Adult Account |
|---|---|---|
| Age requirement | 13 to 17 years old | 18 years old or older |
| Who creates the account | Parent or guardian | The account holder |
| Payment method | Parent's card | Account holder's card |
| Parent visibility | Parent sees all trip details and real-time location | No parent visibility |
| Who controls the account | Parent can pause or delete at any time | Account holder controls everything |
| Spending limits | No built-in limit; parent monitors manually | No limits |
When Teen Account is not available or how to turn it off
Teen Account is available in most places where Uber operates in the United States, but availability may vary by region. If the option to add a teen does not appear in the parent's app, it may not be available in that area yet.
A parent can pause the Teen Account temporarily by going to Account settings and selecting the teen's profile, then choosing "Pause account." The teen will not be able to request rides while the account is paused. To turn off the account permanently, the parent selects "Delete account" from the same menu. Once deleted, the teen's account is closed and cannot be reactivated — a new account would need to be created if the parent wants to restore access later.
The teen cannot delete or pause their own account. Only the parent can make these changes from their Uber app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a teenager use Teen Account to request rides without the parent knowing?
No. The parent receives a notification every time the teen requests a ride, showing the pickup and dropoff locations. The parent can also view the teen's complete ride history at any time in their account. The teen cannot hide rides or request them anonymously.
What happens if the parent's payment method is declined or expired?
The ride request will fail, and the teen will see an error message. The parent needs to update their payment method in their Uber account settings for the teen to request rides again. The parent should check their payment method regularly to avoid this problem.
Can the teen add their own payment card to the Teen Account?
No. The Teen Account is linked only to the parent's payment method. The teen cannot add, change, or remove the payment card. Only the parent can manage payment methods from their own account.
Is Teen Account available in all countries where Uber operates?
Teen Account is currently available in the United States and some other countries, but availability varies by region. Check your Uber app to see if the option to add a teen appears in your Account settings. If it does not show up, the feature may not be available in your area yet.
Can a parent set up Teen Account for multiple teenagers?
Yes. A parent can add more than one teen to their account. Each teen gets their own account linked to the parent's payment method, and the parent receives separate notifications for each teen's rides. The parent can manage all teen accounts from their Uber app.