Uber Updates Features to Let Teens Ride Alone

Teens, buckle up!

Uber is now allowing teens under the age of 18 to ride alone for the first time as part of a new feature. The new option, which rolls out on May 22, allows teens ages 13-17 to catch rides and be in their own car. Parents and guardians will have the ability to monitor their location remotely through the Uber app.

This feature will be available to teens in New York City, Atlanta, Dallas and Houston as well as some areas in Canada. The program is expected to expand to more cities in the future.

According to CNN, teens have to go through a different process to acquire a ride. “The new accounts include a unique PIN number that teens will have to give to their driver before embarking and in-app audio recording of the ride. A live trip-tracking feature also lets a parent follow the trips’ progress via the Uber app. And parents can contact the driver directly during the trip as well as contact Uber’s support team.”

Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, explained that the feature was designed to help families “manage the craziness” of getting their children where they need to go. Khorowshahi also added that “only experienced and highly-rated drivers will be eligible to complete trips with teens.”