Before Your Ride
Most rideshare safety incidents are preventable with preparation. The FBI has documented cases of criminals posing as rideshare drivers — a tactic that succeeds only when riders skip basic verification.
Verify the Driver, Car, and Plate
Your app displays three details: the driver's name, vehicle make and model, and license plate number. Confirm all three match before opening the door. Do not rely on just one — a common scam involves the right type of car but a different plate.
- Ask the right question. Instead of saying your name, ask the driver "Who are you here to pick up?" A legitimate driver already knows your name from the app. If you announce yours first, anyone can confirm it.
- Check the photo. Both Uber and Lyft display a photo of your driver. Compare it to the person behind the wheel before getting in.
- Enable PIN verification. Uber offers a ride-check PIN and Lyft offers Verify Your Ride — both require the driver to confirm a code before you board, adding an extra layer of identity confirmation.
Book and Pay Through the App Only
Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you offering a "rideshare" outside a bar, airport, or event. The FTC warns that off-app transactions remove all safety protections — no GPS tracking, no driver verification, and no way to report issues. Always request through the official app.
Protect Your Pickup Location
If you are at home, set your pickup point slightly down the street — at the nearest intersection or a nearby business. This prevents drivers from knowing your exact home address. For regular commuters, vary your pickup points when possible.
Uber & Lyft Built-In Safety Features
Both platforms have invested heavily in safety tools. Most riders never use them because they do not know they exist. Take five minutes to set these up before you need them.
Share Your Trip
Both apps let you share your ride in real time with trusted contacts, who can see your driver's details and live location on a map. Set up automatic trip sharing in your settings so it happens every ride.
Emergency Button and 911 Integration
Both apps include an emergency button that connects you to 911. In many cities, this sends your real-time GPS location to dispatchers automatically — even if you cannot speak. Access these tools via Uber's Safety Toolkit or Lyft's Safety Center on the ride screen.
Audio Recording and RideCheck
Uber's audio recording feature allows riders or drivers to record during a trip. The encrypted recording is reviewed only if a safety report is filed — serving as both a deterrent and evidence. RideCheck uses GPS and sensors to detect unusual activity such as unexpected stops or route deviations, prompting a check-in notification to both rider and driver. Lyft has a similar detection system.
During the Ride
Once you are in the car, a few simple habits significantly reduce your risk.
Sit in the Back Seat
Law enforcement agencies universally recommend the rear seat. It gives you access to exits on both sides, creates distance from the driver, and makes it harder for anyone to restrain your movement. Both Uber and Lyft echo this recommendation for solo passengers.
Keep Your Belongings Close
Hold your phone, bag, and personal items on your person — not in the trunk. If you need to exit quickly, you do not want to retrieve belongings from a locked compartment. Keep your phone charged and accessible throughout the ride.
Stay Alert and Trust Your Gut
Follow the route on your own phone's map. If the driver deviates significantly, say something. Avoid noise-canceling headphones or falling asleep. If something feels wrong — trust that feeling and act on it.
Carry a Personal Safety Alarm
A compact personal alarm like the She's Birdie (130dB siren with strobe light) clips to your keychain and activates in under a second, drawing immediate attention. Safety apps like Noonlight let you hold a button and release it to trigger automatic 911 dispatch to your GPS location — useful when making a call is not possible.
Late Night & Solo Rides
Most serious rideshare incidents occur during nighttime hours, often when passengers are alone. Extra precautions are warranted.
- Wait inside. Stay inside a well-lit building or venue until your app confirms the driver has arrived. Do not stand alone on a dark curb.
- Share your trip every time. Make this non-negotiable for late-night rides. Automatic sharing ensures a trusted contact always knows your location.
- Ride with a friend when possible. There is safety in numbers. If you are leaving a bar or event with friends, share a ride home.
- Stay aware of impairment. Alcohol reduces your ability to verify the driver and react. If you have been drinking, ask a sober friend to confirm car details and wait with you.
- Consider recording. A small dash cam or your phone's voice memo app creates evidence and acts as a deterrent.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If you experience harassment, unsafe driving, or any safety incident, take these steps.
During the Incident
- Call 911. Use your phone or the in-app emergency button. Both Uber and Lyft can share your live location with dispatchers.
- Exit the vehicle. Ask the driver to pull over in a populated, well-lit area. If they refuse, draw attention — activate your personal alarm, honk the horn, or call out to people nearby.
- Activate safety tools. Trigger audio recording if available. Use Noonlight or another safety app to silently dispatch emergency services to your location.
After the Incident
- Preserve evidence. Screenshot your trip details, including the driver's name, photo, vehicle information, and license plate from the app. Save any recordings.
- Report to the rideshare company. In Uber, go to your trip history and tap "Report a Safety Issue." In Lyft, open the ride receipt and select "Get Help."
- File a police report. Even if you are unsure about pressing charges, an official record protects future passengers.
- Report fraud to the FTC. If the incident involved a fake driver or off-app scam, file a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC uses these reports to issue consumer warnings.
Rideshare Safety for College Students
College students face elevated rideshare risks due to late-night rides, unfamiliar cities, and social events. A few campus-specific strategies make a real difference.
- Use your university's safe ride program. Many campuses partner with rideshare companies or run their own late-night transportation with additional vetting.
- Make trip sharing a group norm. Everyone shares their ride, every time — no exceptions. Mutual accountability keeps the entire friend group safer.
- Avoid shared rides late at night. UberX Share and Lyft shared rides pair you with unknown passengers. For solo late-night trips, the extra cost of a private ride is worth the added security.
- Save your campus police number. In addition to 911, campus police can often respond faster to incidents near the university.
- Set up Noonlight for one-touch emergency dispatch with your GPS location — faster than dialing 911 and explaining where you are.
The FBI recommends students treat rideshare verification as seriously as checking credentials for any stranger offering a ride. The same steps apply every time: name, car, plate, and always ask "who are you picking up?"
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify my Uber or Lyft driver is legitimate?
Before getting into any rideshare vehicle, check three things in your app: the driver's name, the car make and model, and the license plate number. All three must match what you see in front of you. Never get into a car that does not match. Ask the driver 'Who are you picking up?' rather than stating your own name — a legitimate driver will already know your name from the app. Both Uber and Lyft display a photo of your driver and their vehicle, so compare these carefully before opening the door. The FBI has warned that impersonating rideshare drivers is a tactic used in kidnapping and assault cases.
Is it safer to sit in the front or back seat of a rideshare?
The back seat is safer. Sitting in the back gives you access to doors on both sides of the vehicle, creates physical distance between you and the driver, and makes it harder for the driver to control your movement. Law enforcement agencies and both Uber and Lyft recommend that solo passengers sit in the rear seat. The rear seat also gives you the ability to exit from either side of the vehicle if you need to leave quickly.
What should I do if my rideshare driver makes me feel unsafe?
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, ask the driver to pull over in a well-lit, populated area and exit the vehicle. You can end the ride in the app at any time. If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 911 — both Uber and Lyft have an emergency button in their apps that connects you directly to 911, shares your real-time location with dispatchers, and in some areas can send details silently. After exiting, report the driver through the app and note the license plate, time, and location. Preserve screenshots of the trip details as evidence.
Are Uber and Lyft safe to use late at night?
Rideshares are generally a safer alternative to walking alone or driving impaired late at night, but extra precautions are warranted. Share your trip with a trusted contact so they can track your route in real time. Enable Uber PIN verification or Lyft's Verify Your Ride so your driver must confirm a code before you board. Stay alert during the ride — avoid falling asleep or wearing headphones. Wait inside a well-lit building until your driver arrives rather than standing alone on a curb. If possible, ride with a friend. A personal safety alarm like She's Birdie is worth keeping on your keychain for added security.
How do I report a safety incident to Uber or Lyft?
Both Uber and Lyft allow you to report safety incidents directly through their apps. In Uber, go to your trip history, select the ride, and tap 'Report a Safety Issue.' In Lyft, open the ride receipt and tap 'Get Help.' For serious incidents — assault, harassment, or threats — also file a police report and preserve any evidence such as screenshots, trip receipts, and the driver's information from the app. The FTC recommends documenting everything as soon as possible while details are fresh. You can also file a complaint with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if the incident involved fraud or deception.