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How do I know if the Uber driver is who he says he is?
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GeorgeCCromwell
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The Guru Take
Driver identity is important. Check his/her name, photo and vehicle info. Also "Real-Time ID Check" for driver. Finally, check out Uber Beacon.
One of the safety measures of Uber is that you know who will be driving you. The driver cannot drive anonymously, and his information as well as the vehicle's is shared with you. (In fact, Uber driver cannot use an alias either. The first name MUST be his or her real name on the driver's license.
Upon calling a ride When you request a ride, the Uber app sends your request to nearby drivers. After you've been assigned a driver, Uber sends you information about the vehicle and driver headed to your pickup location.
Verify the vehicle/driver. Tap the bar that includes the driver’s name, photo, and vehicle. This displays a photo of your driver along with the vehicle's make, model, and license plate number. As the car approaches, check the make and model, and then match the license plate. Once you are in the vehicle, you can match the driver with his or her picture in the app.
In most juristdictions, Uber and Lyft both require the driver to display the Uber or Lyft sticker on their front windshield. You may want to check that too.
Car info matches, but what about the driver? Uber's "Real-Time ID" Feature: In order to prevent fraud where different people may be sharing and driving the same car (and hence Uber account), Uber has been employing a feature called "Real-Time ID Check." This is a mechanism built into the Uber Driver app where drivers need to validate their identify by taking selfies of themselves. Then the facial-recognition feature will identify the driver and determine if he is who he say he is. They can be prompted at a beginning of a shift or asked during a shift. (For more informatino, click here: https://eng.uber.com/real-time-id-check/)
Uber Beacon - "Uber Beacon" is the light that shines on driver's windshield. As the assigned passenger, you can specify within your app the color of the light using this feature. Limited to drivers who support them. More information here: What are Uber Beacons? Does it help me identify my driver?
Comments
In a world where it is getting more and more dangerous to drive for Uber... I wish they extended the same rules for passengers. Passengers are allowed to use aliases and there are no pics they have to verify to verify their identity. Still, they can order rides for others, which causes a lot of confusion...
Also, the driver cannot know for 100% that a normal passenger is getting into his car, and not a thief or a murderer. The driver is just as uninsured as the passenger.
Please, no. Quickly verifying the drivers license plate number and the picture on the Uber app is more than enough.
The average rider looks at the front license plate, then they walk around to look at the back license plate, then back around to look at the front again. Guess what... NOTHING CHANGED except that you're wasting the drivers time and pushing him/her to frustration and ride cancellation. If you're lucky and they do put up with your ridiculous antics, hopefully you won't have pissed them off enough for them to destroy your rider rating.
If you're that paranoid, please just ride the bus.
It would be helpful if the PAX had to have their picture as well and that they are who they are before allowing them in my vehicle.
It would be nice to know the pax could be traced if I wind up in a ditch with a bullet in my brain... or held accountable for sexual harrasment or assault.
It really is not fair that they can just put in a picture of a cat or a letter. Dangerous actually.
You should carry a pistol while driving like most Uber drivers do.
Can we add a piece on Uber Beacon? Do they still use that anymore?
Good call. I will add to my answer.
I've only driven a few times (but yes I am a real driver!) and this has never been triggered for me. Never seen it.
It's periodical and also released in certain markets and countries.
Is this for real? That screenshot actually tells the driver to pull over. How funny.
What a crappy day it would be if your app didnt' let you drive because the face-detection failed?
Like a bad hairday?
if I see Mr or Mrs Inspector Clouseau outside my car I immediately cancel a ride I have no time to waste
The app litterally tells the rider to verify their ride why would you get upset at that? And yes I'm also an Uber driver