Uber has nationwide expanded its Women Drivers feature in the U.S., allowing women riders to request female drivers with options to wait, reserve in advance, or enable a broader preference in the app; teen accounts can also request women drivers.

The feature aims to pair women drivers with women riders or provide safer, more flexible matching as part of broader safety improvements in ride-hailing.

Women drivers can opt into a preference to receive trip requests from women riders, helping them tailor earnings opportunities.

The expansion follows a prior pilot in three cities last summer and a late-2025 rollout to 26 cities, now nationwide after recent broadening to 40 other countries previously including Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Mexico.

The Associated Press coverage is partially funded by Pivotal Ventures, with standard journalistic practices maintained.

The source text does not specify exact dates or usage metrics, presenting the update as a general rollout rather than detailed timelines.

Safety concerns around ride-hailing persist, with previous cases leaving Uber liable for about $8.5 million in an Arizona incident and ongoing lawsuits; Uber points to safety improvements and a shared driver database with Lyft.

Uber was recently found partially liable for a driver-related sexual violence case, facing thousands of pending sexual assault and misconduct lawsuits.

Uber argues the feature enhances safety and serves a public policy interest, while pursuing arbitration in related cases.

Lyft had a similar nationwide feature, Women+ Connect, launched in 2024, and both platforms face scrutiny over safety and alleged inaction against rider assaults.

The rollout coincides with rising assault cases, framing the feature as a safety-oriented enhancement for women drivers and riders.

The Women Preferences feature began with a pilot in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, and is also available for Uber Teen Accounts.