Can a parent order Uber or Lyft for a teenager? My kids?

This is indeed a rampant problem.  I have seen little kids, not even teenagers, who request a ride.  I show up and there they are. Ready to go wherever.  Some look like 8 or 9.  (third grade?)  I often tell them no and cancel.  I actually do put it as the reason for why I am cancelling.

I get it.  With taxis you can. (I think.)   I get it.  It seems safe as there's no cash involved and you can track their routes.  ...but it puts the driver in a very awkward spot.

It seems like accepting riders 15 or at least 16+ would be a good compromise.  At this age, they are actually either learning to or already driving themselves and eligible for an ID card to prove their age.  It's probably safer than them driving themselves at this point (for them and those of us on the road!).  I know many high-school kids who take public transit alone, so it would seem reasonable that they could handle a ride-sharing app.  And, as someone pointed out, you can track their route and there is no cash involved, possible advantages over public transit.

So interesting that a 14 year old can fly alone across the US, sit on the exit row and operate the door in an emergency. But cannot properly “open an account” and ride an Uber.

There are specific rideshare services that cater to children and teens.

Here is a list.

Rideshare Services for Children

My opinion is that a child is in a car alone (or with other children) with a stanger.  That stranger can take them anywhere and do anyting. I personally wouldn't have put my child alone on a plane either, for the surrounded by strangers reason, and you just never know who is there and what the intentions are.  It doesn't matter legal or no, I wouldn't do it because yes, I am THAT mom.  I know people that do it, I don't like it, but I have to remember it isn't my child, and hope that nothing bad happens.

Anybody who orders an Uber, it's clearly implying that they are 18 and over by accepting the terms of Use of the app. All drivers should assume that they are indeed 18 unless told otherwise. They rider lied, not the driver, it should not be the drivers responsibilty to vet rider. Additionally, the minor rider/ parent it's putting themselves at risk because any accidents they will not be covered.

That's a legal minefield! Too much exposure.

There are also rideshare for kids who do transport children.   Here's a list.  Do you have one in your city?

https://ride.guru/content/newsroom/rideshare-services-for-children

Yes but what do Uber and Lyft's TOA's FOR DRIVERS say about picking up minors? Can anyone say LOOPHOLE?!?! Is not interesting that most articles focusing on this issue seem to ONLY view it feom the RIDERS perspective and NOT the driver? 

If it's not located in our TOA's then why do we need to be bound to what is not addressed there. I agree that perhaps Uber/Lyft find it redundant but still if a driver signs up to be a driver, why would they read the riders TOA's also? Some could be thinking.

Either way, this needs to be made more clear and more protocols need to be put in place so that those who continue to disobey are held appropriately accountable per the agreement they entered into even when and if they did not TAKE THE TIME OUT to THOROUGHLY read through and comprhend them.

IJS

Stop spoiling the kids.  Let them order the Uber themselves.

We dont want want your kids and we are not baby sitters. Take responsibity and drive them yourself.

I mean as a 14 year old who isn't privileged enough to have someone constantly give me a ride because the only parent I have to my availability is at work all day, being able to get an uber ride would be rather convenient. 7 year olds getting rides without an adult may sound like a burden, but come on, 13+ getting rides should be a thing. It's not babysitting at all.

Another thing a minor could say s/he was molested tnt rubber driver and image what would happen to driver

Yes, parents can order Uber or Lyft rides for their teenagers. Uber and Lyft allow riders to request rides on behalf of others, including their children or other family members. However, it's important to note that the person ordering the ride will need to have an account with the ride-sharing service and will need to enter the pickup and drop-off locations and pay for the ride.

When ordering a ride for a teenager, parents should take extra precautions to ensure their child's safety. For example, they should ensure that the driver is aware that they are picking up a minor and confirm that the driver's vehicle and license plate match the information provided by the ride-sharing service. Additionally, parents may want to consider setting up a notification system to keep track of their child's ride and receive updates on their progress. More information for education app.

Gasp!  Oh, man.  Are you serious.  I've done this and been thinking about making it regular.

A person your minor meets online could order a car sent to your minor .  The minor would then be picked up and driven to a likely dangerous adult.  Minors should not be allowed to ride without an adult.

Uber is to dangerous.  A legally blind person could qualify to drive for uber.  Absolutely ridiculous!!!

This happens. All. The. Time. Not saying its right or a good idea but a drivers gotta make money.

My 12 year old daughter missed her bus yesterday and neither my wife nor I could leave work so I hailed an Uber and he took her to school a few miles away. He told her she was the fourth student that morning and that his kids go to the same school.

I don’t plan on making this a habit but it sure helps when you are in a bind.

Teens have fake ID's i cant always tell the difference. Some bars use machines because you cant always tell. This should be Ubers responsibility. They dont care they win if driver takes minor and they lose nothing if driver gets in accident. They just say we told you not to take minors. Just like the whole car safety seat issue. Uber and Lyft mention it in a few sentences. Hell they even pay cancel fee and dont dont charge it to rider. They eat the cost. Maybe if they start charging 10.00 for 1st offense, 20.00 and so on this would stop. They just dont care. If kid goes flying through windshield its the drivers problem, if minor rides and accuses driver of sexual misconduct they deactivate driver. Just another example of how they dont cars about drivers.

Never take anyone who looks to be under the age of 18. As a Lyft driver, I've refused to take unaccompanied minors. Be careful if you drive on weekday mornings and mid-afternoons.

There's too much liability. The parents, not rideshare drivers, are responsible for getting their kids to and from school.

I'll let me 17 year old son use it to get home from soccer practice, maybe its not "allowed" but we have never had a problem. I also have a 13 year old son, I wouldnt let him use it alone though.

I suspect parents have done this before, as they have ordered rides for high school students I suspected are under 18. But I wasn't sure how to challenge this or whether it's right and legal for me to ask their age? Not sure what my liability is as a driver if parents violate this rule?

Not sure about the whole Insurance Issue but if Uber woukd do FBI Fingerprinted Background Checks (approx $35.00) along with  Child Abuse Cleaances (10.00) we could take children. It would also make Uber and Lyft safer with better checks. If Insurance is an issue then charge more for kids under 18.

Obviously there a ot of stupid parents if this is rampant issue. 

Lol so what you're saying is you can DRIVE for Uber or Lyft just not RIDE in them. The rules for drivers is one year of driving experience and must be of age to be licensed. So that means a 16 and 17 year old could legally be an Uber or Lyft driver but not a passenger. Makes a lot of sense. 🙄

From a driver's perspective this is an awful predicament.  Driving 15 minutes to pick up someone and finding out it is a minor late for school, then having to deny the trip.  Terrible.  Now try that three times in a row.   It is because of the insurance and I am not willing to risk it.  Not worth the money, or someone's health.  Now, I have one exception and have given this considerable thought.   If the minor is in an area that is dark or secluded and leaving them there might put them at risk, I will accept the fare.  However, I will ensure that my webcam footage for the trip is saved.   After leaving a young woman on a street as it was getting dark, I felt bad about it for a long time... if it was my daughter I would not want her in that situation...  I personally feel that older kids should be able to ride, but until parents complain... it will not change.  In fact, I would say they could be charged an additional fee for extra insurance and only use riders that have passed a background check.    I think it is also better if they do not ride alone.

Are your kids over 18? If not, then no. Anyone under 18 cannot ride with Uber or Lyft without a parent or guardian. I will not pick kids up.

As a driver I always get suspicious if the pickup is a minor or a third party, and I will call the requester for clarification, which, certainly in the case of a minor, I will cancel.
Also drivers never ever get a tip from such rides - reason alone to cancel.