Uber Teens launches in UK allowing highly rated drivers to transport children
Uber has announced a series of new services aimed at supporting young people and families across the UK. The additions, including Uber for Teens, Uber One for Students, and Uber XShare, aim to provide more affordable and accessible transport options tailored to busy schedules and tight budgets.
Set to roll out in UK cities over the coming months, Uber for Teens offers a solution for families looking to balance convenience and safety. Designed with input from safety organisations such as ParentZone, the service allows teenagers to order rides independently while keeping parents informed in real-time.
Parents can track their teen’s journey from start to finish with live updates, including notifications when a trip begins, progresses, and ends. Additional features, such as PIN verification and ride checks for unexpected route changes, ensure a secure experience. Only drivers with high ratings and experience are assigned to teen accounts, and parents can contact both drivers and Uber’s safety team if needed.
Uber’s collaboration with ParentZone reflects a strong focus on safety. Vicki Shotbolt, CEO of ParentZone, stated: “ParentZone is proud to work with Uber on Uber for Teens, which was developed with safety and privacy in mind, offering families an efficient way for teens to travel independently.”
New research commissioned by Uber highlights the time pressures parents face when driving teenagers. The data shows UK parents spend over a week each year chauffeuring teens to activities, with 59% admitting they’ve had to cancel personal plans to act as a driver. During the holiday season, over half of parents anticipate even more driving duties, with many expressing a desire for more quality time with their teens.
Uber for Teens provides a practical alternative, reducing the need for parental ‘taxi services’ while ensuring young riders travel securely.
Uber piloted the Teens service in Canada in late 2022 and in selected US cities earlier this year, refining the service before introducing it to the UK. The development process involved over a year of consultation with parents, teenagers, and safety experts to ensure the service meets the needs of families.
These new features form part of Uber’s broader efforts to deliver affordable, reliable, and family-friendly services to UK households.
Andrew Brem, UK General Manager, said: “Uber is thrilled to help busy families across the UK get around safely and easily. Teen accounts were developed to be incredibly simple to use and provide total peace of mind for parents, teens, and drivers.”
