Uber’s Women Preferences: Easing Women’s Minds While Also Raising New Concerns

My 19-year-old daughter frequently uses Uber, even though she has a car and can drive. I prefer she uses the service when heading into Orlando, where traffic can be heavy and parking in garages can be a hassle. Most downtown venues have designated Uber pickup spots right outside, in clear view of club bouncers, which reassures me that she can safely go from a restaurant or club directly into a car and head home. She’s diligent about verifying the license plate against the ride app notification and FaceTimes me as soon as she’s in the vehicle. I make it clear I know when she’s expected home and use the app’s tracking feature to monitor her trip in real-time, ensuring I always know her location. This also signals to the driver that someone is waiting for her. The option to request a female driver added another layer of security in my mind. However, some have recently pointed out potential drawbacks to this approach.

I know it sounds stupid, but it's a good idea. Women often times feel scared when strange men come to pick them up. Then there the murders. So, I understand the mockery, but it's actually a good program. Maybe also make it so it's actually women, not a man pretending to be one.

— Krugger Duning (@dinoridinjesus) July 23, 2025

Concerns arise about men who claim to be women, potentially exploiting systems like Uber’s female driver option. Similar to how some individuals may claim transgender status to access awards or scholarships intended for women, they could attempt to manipulate this feature. In Florida, driver’s licenses reflect only biological sex at birth, which Uber could use to designate a driver as a “woman,” providing clarity. However, in states with differing laws or more flexible gender identification policies, ensuring this designation remains consistent may prove challenging.

In the 3 markets they are testing it in “they don’t know what a woman is”, anyone can claim to be a woman so how is this protecting anyone? 🤔

— Brent Williams (@BrentGWilliams) July 23, 2025

Just curious, do women drivers get to choose to have only women passengers?

— SF DMW (@DMW52) July 23, 2025

This is more about making customers feel at ease rather than allowing drivers to choose who they want to drive. 

UBER announces new option where women customers will soon be able to request women drivers

This is long overdue

Nobody wants their female loved one alone in a strange man’s car at night

Especially when Uber’s background checks are so bad pic.twitter.com/eWwHU5Lvm4

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) July 23, 2025

Fortunately, my daughter always travels with a group of friends, so she’s never alone in an Uber. However, if she ever needed to ride solo, the option to request a female driver is a significant step toward enhancing women’s safety. Biological differences between men and women, such as physical strength, are undeniable, and acknowledging them is important. Many women feel uneasy about being alone with an unfamiliar man, even if he’s been vetted, making this feature a valuable reassurance.

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Gordon K

I’m so happy for this feature but it’s also sucks to see the good men drivers potentially lose money bc of the creeps. All men have to suffer until the bad ones are gone sorry not sorry

— shathagoddess 🦂 (@shathagoddess) July 23, 2025

Thankfully, I have only good things to say about the drivers my daughter has encountered. They have all been very professional and delivered her home safely. With that said, this is just another way to ease a worried Mom's mind and I appreciate it.