RIDEGURU
You're technically not allowed to transport unaccompanied minors, but so many drivers don't know this or don't care. And it's kinda heartbreaking when a kid is just trying to get to school. Would you bring them?
This video talks more about what the policies are and how not complying might impact you. But no matter what, there will always be that temptation.
Comments
If they look 18, if they're working a job and going to/from work, I don't question their age. My State Farm polciy doesn't have age limitations and that's who my rideshare is through.
However with that said, if an obviously young person entered my car, I would decline them explaining we are not allowed to take anyone under 18 without a parent etc...
Clearly the issue is with Uber. If they REALLY wanted to enforce their TOS, they would require the account holder to PROVE their age when opening an account. And they would REQUIRE the passenger name if different than the account holder along with their birth date. And that would be incredibly easy to add to the existing app.
But they don't, so we know that truth be told, Uber doesn't care, it just 'sounds good'.... and yet as drivers, we all agree, it really SHOULD be enforced.
Alternately Uber could offer transporation for say 12-18 year olds as an option on the APP... these ride requests wou…
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If they look 18, if they're working a job and going to/from work, I don't question their age. My State Farm polciy doesn't have age limitations and that's who my rideshare is through.
However with that said, if an obviously young person entered my car, I would decline them explaining we are not allowed to take anyone under 18 without a parent etc...
Clearly the issue is with Uber. If they REALLY wanted to enforce their TOS, they would require the account holder to PROVE their age when opening an account. And they would REQUIRE the passenger name if different than the account holder along with their birth date. And that would be incredibly easy to add to the existing app.
But they don't, so we know that truth be told, Uber doesn't care, it just 'sounds good'.... and yet as drivers, we all agree, it really SHOULD be enforced.
Alternately Uber could offer transporation for say 12-18 year olds as an option on the APP... these ride requests would go to highly vetted, highly rated drivers and there would be a slight premium involved.
From what I've read, this was tested in some cities, but I've never heard how it worked out.
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When I first started driving I wasnt aware we couldnt drive kids under 18. Thankfully I didnt drive more than a few and nothing ever happened. I have had a few riders recently that looked under 18. I asked how old they were they said 18 and offered ID. It's not always going to be that easy. This shouldnt be a drivers responsibility. If the person is over 18 but a driver isnt sure and asks for ID I can gurantee we will end up pissing someone off. Which means we are going to be rated with 1 star. What if the rider is under 18 but has a fake ID how are we to know its fake? I've seen some fake ID's I wouldnt know the difference. It's Uber's app this should be Uber's responsibility.
Was driving Friday morning 7am usually drive nights. I accepted a ride at a local mall. I pull out of lot where I sit waiting for rides when I get a text from mom. "My son is at the wal mart enterance". I pull over text back is your son a minor? No response back from her. I cancelled the ride. I hate leaving kids stranded but I dont want to take a chance.
I had a girl I picked up at her job (McDonald's) on 2 occasions. She had uniform on which included a hat. Pick ups were after midnight. It was hard to see her face clearly with hat on. The first night I picked her up I had another pool rider who was a 23 yrs old.male. When she got out of car he said she was "hot wish I would've asked her out for a drink".. The 2nd time I picked her up I told her about the guy saying she was hot and wanted to take her out for a drink. She responded "thats creepy I am only 16". No way lol. We both thought she was over 21. Working past midnight, worked 12 hr shift, hat on couldnt see face c…
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Was driving Friday morning 7am usually drive nights. I accepted a ride at a local mall. I pull out of lot where I sit waiting for rides when I get a text from mom. "My son is at the wal mart enterance". I pull over text back is your son a minor? No response back from her. I cancelled the ride. I hate leaving kids stranded but I dont want to take a chance.
I had a girl I picked up at her job (McDonald's) on 2 occasions. She had uniform on which included a hat. Pick ups were after midnight. It was hard to see her face clearly with hat on. The first night I picked her up I had another pool rider who was a 23 yrs old.male. When she got out of car he said she was "hot wish I would've asked her out for a drink".. The 2nd time I picked her up I told her about the guy saying she was hot and wanted to take her out for a drink. She responded "thats creepy I am only 16". No way lol. We both thought she was over 21. Working past midnight, worked 12 hr shift, hat on couldnt see face clearly, conversation was intelligent and she didnt talk like a 16 yr old teenager. Fooled both me and other rider. How the hell do you know who to ask for ID? Some of these teenage girls look like their in their 20's when dressed and have make up on. If they are old enough and you ask for ID chances are you are not getting 5 stars. Uber needs to do something to make this essier for drivers. We should not have to check ID
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No solo minors. EVER.
First, I love the hair :)
Second, you have a harry potter themed board game?! Did you invent it, I need more information as this is way too cool.
Third, helpful video, thanks!
It’s the worst. Always makes me feel weird and icky. I strongly believe it isn’t my job to vet out the age of every passenger. After all, they’re the ones breaking the terms of Uber’s app.
Then again, sometimes we have to. I hear it affects insurance and how I can get into big trouble with the law. Not sure how we are to protect ourselves though.
I have had like 13 year-olds try to get on my car. I have always said no to those. Just cancel hard, and send a courtesy note to Uber to see if they can NOT let it hurt my cancellation. (No, Uber never responds.)
The issue is with those who are borderline. Am I to check their license?
I can't stand them. It is against policy, you are not covered by insurance, waste of time to drive there and not take passenger. I always lead with if you are under 18 you cannot ride alone in my car. Most kids are bad liars and you can tell. I felt bad at first but most kids know and pretend not to. Most don't have CC so they are using Mom's account, some without their knowledge. I drive away. They don't want to cancel because it costs money. I wait the time as i'm driving away. Then I cancel using "unnaccompanied minor" reason and collect 5 bucks. I also call Uber/Lyft. Never just message, the bots can't understand English and often threaten you to stop driving minors. How do you explain a 16 year old in your car when there is an accident? If they are not related? No good answer.
Great answer. and helpful. thanks, man.
good call on driving away.
If in question ask. I use a dash cam that records audio. If they say they are 18 and do not have ID I have them state their name and their age so I have an audio recording of it. After the ride I save the recording of it and save it incase I ever need it. Then explain to them why I am doing it.
Yeah, at the end of the day, this is a game of liability and who is responsible.
If you ask and it's on a video, you've done your part. Carry on and drive.
I will not drive unaccompanied minors. No way no how. Too many risks. These days you have to be careful. One of these minors could claim you did something inappropriate, and then its their word against yours (another good reason to use a dashcam). Who is a jury going to believe? Do you want to take that gamble? I like my life and my good reputation, I plan to keep it.
Let them go take those expensive Uber for kids services. They got proper insurance and all that.
The fact that Uber doesn’t have Uber Kids shows how difficult it is to transport kids.
I looked into this as I thought I’d be able to start it in Denver. Liability insurance is nearly impossible to get, and basically to comply with local laws, you need to have special license for the car and also to be held by the driver. Basically, the bar is as high as creating a school bus fleet and coordinating rides for every kid and request. This isn’t on/demand and this isn’t rideshare. This isn’t Uber anything.
So there you have it.
The companies need to Advertise the No Minors Rule better.
I dont let minors ride without 18 year old along. No matter what & I just eat the ride, too much trouble to get a cancel fee.
From Amish Country in Lancaster County PA
I am going to leave it right here. A driver, when he found out that the riders were 16, he decided to stop driving and made them get out of the car.
Teens headed to homecoming say Uber driver told them to get out due to age [AJC.com]
If I had been in drivers position I would have pulled over to safe spot, called parents and waited until parents showed up. Supposed something happened to those teens? Yes I know parents shouldnt of sent them in an Uber but they did. Its not teens fault parents are lazy or clueless. As a parent myself I wouldnt leave anyones teens by themselves on a busy corner with no transportation. Suppose something happened to one of those teens? Sorry but wouldnt want to see them hurt nor would I be able to live with that on my conscience. Even though I dont think its drivers responsibility to check ID that driver did allow them in his car and drove them for however long. He needs to take some responsibility. Shouldve taken them to safer location or waited until parents got there.
Do little kids really just walk up and take Uber? I've never driven (though I thought about it), but I have a hard time little kids using the app and trying to go to places.
nah, think high school kids who still cannot drive. Imagine how much they'd love Uber to get around.
I think this is a rampant issue.
I don't think minors should be riding with rideshares. Waay too many risks.
But as for me, I will take them if it comes down to it. I am responsible and will get them where they are going safely.
I am not comfortable... but I do have a dashcam to record inside and outside the car in case there are questions.
I have been taking taxis and Mass Transit since 12 years old on my own... but that was then, this is now...
Perhaps Rideshares should charge an extra fee for extra insurance if the passenger is a minor... and even ask that an adult put them in the car?
The other problem is I don't really trust kids. It would be nice to be able to opt out.
Cheesehead has a point though. Who knows about the next guy.