New Uber Feature Lets Riders Request Women Drivers — and Vice Versa

The feature debuted in Saudi Arabia in 2019 and is now available in 41 countries where Uber operates.

1 minute read

March 12, 2026, 5:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Young woman driver in black leather jacket looking back at passenger seat.

Uber competitor Lyft launched a similar feature in 2024. | LightField Studios / Shutterstock

Uber just launched a feature that lets women drivers and riders choose to be matched with other women for trips, reports Alexandra Olson for the Associated Press.

According to Olson, the app now gives women the option to request a woman driver, reserve a trip with a woman driver in advance, or set a preference to be matched with women drivers when possible. It also allows women drivers to request trips with women passengers. According to Uber, about one-fifth of its drivers in the United States are women. 

The company is rolling out the feature nationwide despite an ongoing lawsuit challenging the option in California, where two men drivers say the feature violates the state’s Unruh Act. Uber disputes the claim, saying that the feature “serves a strong and recognized public policy interest in enhancing safety.” After first launching the feature in Saudi Arabia in 2019, Uber now offers similar options in 41 countries. 

Monday, March 9, 2026 in Associated Press

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