What Uber Wav is and who can use it
Uber Wav is a service within the Uber app designed for riders with disabilities who may need extra time boarding, alighting, or stowing mobility equipment. The driver waits longer at pickup and dropoff than in a standard Uber ride, and the rider pays the same fare — there is no surcharge for using Wav.
You do not need a formal disability diagnosis or documentation to request a Wav ride. When you open the Uber app, you can select Wav as your ride type if you want to use it for a particular trip. The service is available in select cities; Uber's website lists which ones currently offer it.
Wav rides are matched with drivers who have completed Uber's training on assisting riders with disabilities. The training covers how to help with wheelchairs, walkers, service animals, and other mobility aids, and how to communicate respectfully during the boarding process.
Key Takeaways
- Uber Wav is a ride option in the Uber app that gives drivers extra time to help you board, exit, and load equipment without charging you more.
- You select Wav as your ride type in the app when you want to use it; no pre-registration or documentation is required.
- Wav is only available in certain cities, which you can check on Uber's website before requesting a ride.
- Drivers who accept Wav rides have completed training on assisting riders with disabilities and working with mobility equipment.
- If a Wav driver cancels or does not show up, you can request another Wav ride or switch to a different Uber service type.
How to request a Wav ride in the Uber app
Open the Uber app and enter your pickup and dropoff locations as you normally would. Instead of selecting UberX or another ride type, tap on the Wav option if it appears on your screen. The app will show you the estimated fare and wait time for a Wav ride in your area.
Once you confirm your request, the app will match you with a driver who has completed Wav training. You will see the driver's name, photo, vehicle details, and real-time location on the map, just as you would with any other Uber ride. The driver will have extra time built into the trip — typically several minutes at pickup and several minutes at dropoff — to help you board safely.
If Wav is not showing as an option in your app, it means the service is not yet available in your location. You can check Uber's list of cities where Wav operates to see if it has expanded to your area.
What happens during a Wav pickup and dropoff
When the driver arrives, they will wait longer than they would for a standard ride. This gives you time to move at your own pace, whether you use a wheelchair, walker, cane, or other mobility aid. The driver has been trained to offer information — for example, helping you into the vehicle, securing a wheelchair in the designated space, or stowing a walker — but will ask before helping and will follow your instructions on how you prefer to be assisted.
At your destination, the driver will again allow extra time for you to exit the vehicle and retrieve any equipment. If you need the driver to wait a few extra moments while you gather your things or prepare to exit, that time is already built into the Wav service.
Service animals travel with you at no extra cost, and drivers are trained to accommodate them. If you have questions about what equipment or information is available, you can message the driver through the app before they arrive.
Pricing and what is included
Wav rides cost the same as a standard UberX ride would for the same route. There is no additional fee for the extra time the driver spends helping you board and exit. Surge pricing — when fares increase due to high demand — can still explore to Wav rides, just as it does to other Uber services.
Your fare covers the ride itself and the driver's extra time at pickup and dropoff. Tips are optional and can be added in the app after the ride ends, the same way you would tip for any other Uber trip.
What to do if a Wav driver cancels or does not arrive
If a driver cancels a Wav ride after accepting it, you can request another Wav ride when ready. The app will match you with a different driver. If Wav rides are not available at that moment in your location, you have the option to request a standard Uber ride instead, though you will not have the extra boarding time.
If a driver is taking longer than expected to arrive, you can message them through the app to ask about their location. If you decide to cancel the ride yourself, you can do so in the app; Uber's cancellation policy for Wav rides is the same as for other ride types.
Accessibility features in the Uber app
The Uber app itself includes accessibility features to make it easier to request a ride. The app is compatible with screen readers on both iPhone and Android, and buttons and text are sized to be readable. You can also call Uber's phone line to request a ride if you prefer not to use the app, though Wav rides must be requested through the app.
If you have trouble using the app or have questions about Wav before you request a ride, you can contact Uber through the Help section in the app or visit Uber's website for support options in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uber Wav available in my city?
Uber Wav is available in select cities only. You can check Uber's website or open the Uber app in your location to see if Wav appears as a ride option. If it does not show up, the service is not yet available where you are, but Uber continues to expand it to new cities.
Do I need to tell the driver I have a disability?
No. When you request a Wav ride, the driver knows you have selected that service type and will be prepared to offer extra time and information. You do not need to explain your disability or provide any documentation. You can message the driver through the app if you want to let them know what kind of help you might need.
Can I bring my service animal in a Wav ride?
Yes. Service animals travel with you at no extra cost in Wav rides, and drivers are trained to accommodate them. If you have a pet that is not a service animal, Uber's standard pet policy applies — you would need to request Uber Pet instead of Wav.
What if I need help that goes beyond boarding and exiting?
Wav drivers are trained to help with boarding, exiting, and stowing mobility equipment. If you need information beyond that — for example, help inside a building — that is outside the scope of the Wav service. You can discuss your specific needs with the driver through the app before the ride begins.
Can I schedule a Wav ride in advance?
Uber allows you to schedule rides in advance through the app. When you schedule a ride, you can select Wav as your ride type if it is available in your area. The scheduled Wav ride will be matched with a trained driver at your requested time.