Whether you think it’s great for young people who want a bit more independence, or you think this is a terrible idea that will expose them to danger, it’s happening: Teenagers will soon be able to take Uber rides without their parents. Uber unveiled the new policy this week during their annual product showcase, Go-Get. In addition to that change, Uber is also launching group rides and grocery orders, car seats for toddlers, and more.
When will teens be able to take Uber rides?
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Starting May 22, teens will be able to take rides from “select cities” in the U.S. and Canada. But to do so, parents will first need to set up a family profile in the app to link their Uber account with their teenage children. Once that’s complete, kids ages 13 and up will be able to schedule their own rides; soon they’ll also be able to order Uber Eats via the family account.
To set up the family account, follow these steps, per Uber:
- Tap Account > Family to create a Family profile.
- Tap Invite family > Teen > Choose contact and select their name from your contacts.
- Make sure your payment information is up to date before your teen requests their first ride.
- After that, your teen will receive an invite through SMS and will need to complete a mandatory safety onboarding. Once that’s done, they’ll be ready for their first ride.
The program will kick-off on these cities, but Uber will add more with time:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Bloomington, Indiana
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Columbus, Ohio
- Dallas, Texas
- Dayton, Ohio
- Houston, Texas
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Nashville, Tennessee
- New York City + suburbs, New York
- Phoenix, Arizona
- San Antonio, Texas
- Tucson, Arizona
What about safety?
According to Uber, only experienced and highly-rated Uber drivers will be eligible to complete these trips with teens. The new feature will have a built-in live trip-tracking app so parents can see where their teens are at all times as well as a feature for them to contact the driver directly during the trip. They will also have audio recording of the ride, and a PIN verification system so your teen knows he’s getting in the right vehicle.
Once you create the family account, anything your teen orders, be it food or rides, will be completely monitored by the parents. Keep in mind that you will only be notified of their actions, but you will be able to approve or disapprove of their rides.
You can find more information about the program on their FAQ.