Tips When Riding Uber/Lyft

Getting a ride on Uber or Lyft is easy and convenient. However, riders have to be aware of the potential dangers of riding in a car with strangers. According to Pew Research Center’s rideshare survey, roughly 36% of U.S. adults have used a ridesharing service at least once. If you’re new to riding, here are some tips that may assist you in this potentially dangerous situation:

11 Tips When Riding Uber/Lyft

1. Request rides only from well-reviewed drivers.
Drivers on Uber and Lyft have a rating based on their ride history. A bad rating is a warning sign to potential riders that something may be wrong with this driver. Do not ride with drivers with low ratings or no ratings unless you are willing to take the risk. The average rating for Uber and Lyft drivers is about a 4.4.

2. Always check the car before entering.
Ensure that it matches the make and model shown on the driver’s app or website. It is essential to request the driver to wait while you check the vehicle out. According to Consumer Reports’ rideshare safety guidance, verifying the license plate number is one of the most overlooked yet critical steps riders can take. It is also important to double-check whether they parked in a handicapped designated space.

3. If you request the driver to wait while checking the vehicle, make sure they agree. Many drivers will often ask for a gratuity or extra fare if they stay since it can be hard to find parking in cities like New York City. However, remember that you are entering into an agreement and would likely be asked to pay whatever is agreed upon before leaving the vehicle and entering your home or office building. Many riders do not realize that riding with strangers is a potential hazard and may not wish to risk it, but you should always deviate from this practice if requested by the driver.

4. Always look for and listen for the arrival announcement on your phone or audio system.
If there is no announcement, you must assume that the driver has not arrived at the pick-up location and call your app to cancel the ride request. If there is an announcement, but it doesn’t match up with what you’ve seen in person – then it’s wise to cancel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourages all riders to use in-app tracking tools rather than relying solely on verbal driver communication.

5. Request that your driver use the phone’s GPS instead of following directions manually. The GPS will lead the driver closer to your location, rather than having them go farther away and come back. It is essential in large cities like New York City, where intersections are numbered, and if the driver doesn’t request directions by intersection, they may be led astray by a non-navigator GPS. Auto-navigator GPS systems also have the potential to take drivers through unfamiliar streets and dangerous neighborhoods. Both Uber’s driver app and Lyft’s platform include built-in navigation tools specifically designed to minimize routing errors in dense urban environments.

6. Ask the driver to wait for you at the curb or in front of the building.
If there is a problem, you can see your driver and communicate with them before entering. If you are having trouble outside, it is better to cancel than enter a car that may take off with you without your consent. Remember that if there is a service fee, it should have been discussed before arriving at the location of pick-up. If this is an issue or confusion, cancel and find another driver or service that allows better communication outside of the car.

8. When getting into a vehicle in a foreign country, always be on guard and aware of your surroundings.
Use your common sense and gauge if someone may be following you. It’s best to pay attention to your surroundings as much as possible, but it’s best to leave if anything feels wrong. As a rider, you must make sure that if something dangerous is happening, you can alert others quickly so that they can take action as well. The U.S. Department of State’s travel safety resources specifically advise international travelers to use only officially licensed rideshare apps and to share trip details with a trusted contact before every ride abroad.

9. Ask the driver if you can pay cash for a lower fee or a tip.
Many passengers aren’t aware that this is an option, but it may be cheaper than paying with your card. If you do pay with cash, make sure the driver gives you a receipt and retrace your payment steps to look for any fraudulent activity on your account within 24 hours. It is also a good habit to review your linked credit or debit card statements — especially if you use a card issued through institutions like Chase or SoFi — to catch any unauthorized charges promptly.
10. Always cancel if there are any problems or issues with the vehicle during the trip. For example, if there is an accident, detour, or other matter that causes problems – call immediately to cancel and find another ride service to use instead. Often, riders will wait in hopes of being delivered safely to their destination before canceling.

10. Never share your personal information, such as your address or phone number, with a driver unless you feel safe doing so, and it is a habit you do in daily life.
It’s also in your best interest not to get too familiar with the driver at the beginning of a trip, as this could cause issues later on if something goes wrong during your trip. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that sharing personal identifiers like a home address or phone number with strangers — even in seemingly low-risk situations — is one of the most common entry points for identity theft and personal data exposure.

11. Never put valuables on the seat, as this may make you appear vulnerable to the driver. If possible, keep your belongings under your clothes or in a safe place such as a backpack or purse. It may seem a bit paranoid but remember, you are entering into a contract with another person in an area where you may not know the surroundings, and you have the right to protect yourself at all costs.

13. Make sure that your driver knows where he is going before entering the vehicle.
It will help prevent confusion and ensure that you are delivered to the correct address. Keep an eye on your phone’s GPS on trips to foreign countries and ask the driver to use it in case they forget where they are going or need help getting back on track. Both Uber’s official safety center and Lyft’s safety hub provide detailed guidance on how riders can use in-app tools to confirm route accuracy and flag unexpected detours in real time.

Many people are wary of being a passenger in a stranger’s vehicle and for a good reason. However, there are certain safe practices that you can follow to prevent yourself from being in a situation where one could harm you. For additional guidance, resources from the U.S. Department of Transportation and independent watchdogs like Consumer Reports provide regularly updated rideshare safety recommendations that every passenger should review before their next trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I check before getting into an Uber or Lyft?

Before entering any rideshare vehicle, confirm the driver’s photo, the vehicle’s license plate number, and the make and model of the car against what is displayed in your app. If any of these three details do not match, do not enter the vehicle and report the discrepancy immediately through the app. This is the single most effective way to avoid entering the wrong car.

What is a good driver rating on Uber and Lyft?

The platform average for both Uber and Lyft is approximately 4.4 out of 5 stars. Drivers with ratings below 4.0 are generally flagged or removed by the platforms. As a rider, it is safest to accept rides only from drivers rated 4.5 or above when possible, as this indicates a consistently positive track record with previous passengers.

Is it safe to share my personal information with a rideshare driver?

No. You should never volunteer your home address, phone number, workplace, or daily routine to a driver. The FTC specifically identifies casual disclosure of personal details to strangers as a significant identity theft risk. All necessary trip information is already shared through the app, so there is no need to provide additional personal details verbally.

Can I pay cash for Uber or Lyft rides?

In some markets, cash payment is permitted. If you pay in cash, always ask for a receipt and monitor your linked payment accounts — including cards from institutions like Chase, SoFi, or your local bank — within 24 hours for any fraudulent charges. In most U.S. markets, Uber and Lyft operate on card-only billing through the app.

What should I do if my Uber or Lyft driver takes an unexpected route?

Immediately open your rideshare app and monitor your route on the in-app map. Both Uber and Lyft allow you to share your real-time trip with trusted contacts. If the detour feels unsafe, use the in-app emergency SOS button, which connects directly to 911. Do not wait to see if the route corrects itself — act immediately if something feels wrong.

How do I report a safety issue with a rideshare driver?

Both Uber and Lyft allow you to report safety incidents directly through their apps after a trip, as well as through their online safety portals. You can also file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or contact your local law enforcement if a criminal act occurred. Keep your trip receipt as documentation when filing any report.

Are rideshare drivers required to pass background checks?

Yes. Both Uber and Lyft require annual background checks for all drivers, and some states mandate continuous monitoring. However, background check gaps exist, which is why verifying the driver’s identity using the app’s photo and vehicle details remains essential on every single ride, regardless of the driver’s history.

What is the safest way to ride Uber or Lyft at night?

At night, request your ride from a well-lit, populated area rather than a quiet side street. Share your trip details with a trusted contact using the app’s built-in sharing feature. Sit in the back seat, keep your phone charged and accessible, and stay alert to your surroundings throughout the ride. If anything feels wrong, use the in-app SOS feature immediately.

Is it safer to use Uber or Lyft in a foreign country?

Both Uber and Lyft operate in dozens of countries, and using the official app is significantly safer than hailing an unlicensed street taxi. The U.S. Department of State recommends using only officially licensed rideshare platforms when traveling internationally and always sharing your trip details with a trusted contact before departure. Be especially alert to your surroundings and do not confirm your hotel or accommodation address out loud.

Does rideshare insurance protect me as a passenger?

As a passenger in an active Uber or Lyft ride, you are covered by the platform’s commercial liability insurance — Uber carries $1 million in liability coverage per incident while the app is active and a ride is in progress. Your own auto or travel insurance policy may provide supplemental coverage depending on your carrier. For more on how rideshare insurance works for passengers, consult your insurer or review your policy’s transportation network company (TNC) provisions.