What Uber Teens is and who can use it
Uber Teens is a feature that lets parents create a separate Uber account for their teenager (ages 13 to 17) linked to the parent's payment method. The teen can request rides through their own app, but the parent controls the account, sees where the teen is going, and pays the bill. It is not a separate service — it is a version of the regular Uber app with parental controls built in.
The teen needs their own phone with the Uber app installed. The parent needs an active Uber account with a valid payment method on file. Uber Teens is available in most US cities where Uber operates, though availability can vary by region.
When a teen uses Uber Teens, they can only request rides — they cannot change payment methods, add money to an account, or modify settings without the parent's permission. The parent sees every ride request, the pickup and dropoff locations, and the cost before and after the ride happens.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Teens links a teenager's account to a parent's payment method, so the parent pays all ride costs and controls the account settings.
- The parent can see the teen's location in real time during a ride and receives notifications when the ride starts and ends.
- The teen cannot change payment methods, request rides outside their allowed hours, or contact drivers they have not used before without parent approval.
- Setting up Uber Teens takes about five minutes and requires both the parent and teen to have the Uber app on their phones.
- Parents can pause the account, set spending limits, and turn off ride requests at any time through their own app.
How to set up an Uber Teens account
Start in the parent's Uber app. Tap the profile icon in the bottom right, then scroll down and select "Uber Teens." Tap "Add a teen" and follow the prompts to enter the teen's name, birthdate, and phone number. You will need to verify that you are the account holder — Uber may ask you to confirm your identity through a code sent to your email or phone.
Once you create the teen's profile, Uber will send an invitation link to the teen's phone number via text or email. The teen opens that link, downloads or opens the Uber app, and creates their own login using their email address and a password. They do not need to enter payment information — the account automatically uses the parent's payment method.
After the teen logs in for the first time, the parent will see the teen's account appear in their own app under "Uber Teens." From that point forward, the parent can monitor rides and adjust settings. The whole process usually takes five to ten minutes.
What parents can see and control
The parent's app shows a real-time map of the teen's location during any active ride. You receive notifications when the teen requests a ride, when the driver accepts, when the ride starts, and when it ends. You can see the pickup address, dropoff address, driver name, vehicle type, and the final cost of each ride.
Parents can set ride hours — a window of time during which the teen can request rides. Outside those hours, the teen's app will not let them order. You can also set a spending limit per week or per month, though this is a soft limit; if a ride would exceed it, the parent receives a notification but the ride can still go through. You can turn off ride requests entirely by pausing the account, which takes effect when ready.
Parents can also manage which drivers the teen can ride with. By default, the teen can only request rides from drivers they have previously used. If the teen wants to use a new driver, they must request permission through the app, and the parent can approve or deny it. This feature is optional and can be turned off if you prefer.
How the teen experiences Uber Teens
The teen's app looks and works almost exactly like a regular Uber app, with one key difference: they cannot change the payment method or account settings. When the teen opens the app, they see the map, can enter a pickup and dropoff location, and can request a ride just as an adult would. The ride request goes to available drivers in the area, and a driver accepts within seconds to minutes.
If the parent has set ride hours, the teen will see a message if they try to request a ride outside those hours — something like "Rides are not available right now." If the parent has set a spending limit and the teen is near it, they will see a warning before confirming the ride. If the teen wants to use a new driver and the parent requires approval, they will see a prompt to request permission, and they must wait for the parent to approve before the ride can start.
The teen can rate the driver and leave feedback after each ride, just like any other Uber user. They can also contact Uber support if something goes wrong during a ride.
Safety features and what they do
Uber Teens includes Share My Trip, which is turned on by default. This means the parent automatically sees the teen's location and route during every ride. The parent does not have to do anything to enable it — it happens automatically when the teen requests a ride.
The app also includes emergency contact settings. The teen can add emergency contacts (in addition to the parent) who can be notified if something goes wrong. The teen can also use Uber's in-app safety features, such as the ability to share their trip with a trusted contact or contact emergency services directly from the app.
Parents should know that Uber Teens does not prevent a teen from requesting rides to unsafe locations or at unsafe times — it only lets the parent see where the teen is going and when. The parental controls (ride hours, spending limits, driver approval) are tools to set boundaries, but they rely on the parent actively monitoring and enforcing them. Uber does not verify the teen's age through ID; it relies on the parent to enter the correct birthdate.
Costs and what you will pay
There is no separate fee for using Uber Teens. The teen's rides are charged to the parent's payment method at the same rate as any other Uber ride in that area. You pay the base fare, distance charge, time charge, and any surge pricing that applies at the time of the ride — the same as if you had requested the ride yourself.
Some cities and regions have different pricing structures (Uber X, Uber Comfort, Uber Black, etc.), and the teen can request any of these options if you allow it. You control which ride types the teen can see in their app through the account settings.
If you set a weekly or monthly spending limit, Uber will notify you when the teen is approaching it, but the limit does not automatically stop rides from going through. You must manually pause the account or adjust settings to prevent further charges.
Pausing, changing, or ending Uber Teens
You can pause the Uber Teens account at any time through your own app. When paused, the teen cannot request new rides, but they can still see their ride history and account information. Pausing takes effect when ready and does not require the teen to do anything.
You can change ride hours, spending limits, driver approval settings, and emergency contacts whenever you want. These changes take effect right away. If you want to end Uber Teens entirely, you can delete the teen's account from your profile. The teen will no longer be able to request rides, and their account will be removed from the system.
If the teen turns 18, Uber Teens automatically converts to a regular Uber account. The teen will then have full control over payment methods and account settings, though the account will still be linked to your original account in your app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my teen use Uber Teens if they do not have their own phone?
No. The teen needs their own phone with the Uber app installed to use Uber Teens. They cannot share a phone with a parent or sibling. If they do not have a phone, they cannot request rides through this feature.
What happens if my teen requests a ride outside the hours I set?
The teen will see a message saying rides are not available during that time, and they cannot complete the request. The ride will not go through, and you will not be charged. The teen can try again during the allowed hours.
Can I see my teen's location when they are not in an Uber?
No. Uber Teens only shows the teen's location during an active ride. Once the ride ends, you can see where they were dropped off, but you cannot track their location after that. If you want to track your teen's location at all times, you would need to use a separate family location app like Find My Friends (Apple) or Google Family Link.
What if my teen loses their phone or deletes the Uber app?
If the teen deletes the app, they can reinstall it and log back in with their email and password. If they lose their phone, you can pause the account when ready through your own app to prevent any unauthorized rides. Once they get a new phone and reinstall the app, they can log back in and resume using it.
Does Uber Teens work in other countries?
Uber Teens is available in most US cities where Uber operates. Availability outside the United States varies by country and region. Check the Uber website or app for your specific location to see if Uber Teens is offered in your area.