Uber Launches ‘Women Drivers’ Option in Saudi Arabia to Enhance Safety and Empower Female Drivers

Uber has introduced a new feature in Saudi Arabia allowing passengers to specifically request female drivers, a significant step in the conservative kingdom. The “Women Drivers” option lets women riders choose to be matched exclusively with female drivers while maintaining the same service and pricing as the standard UberX.

Since women gained the right to drive in Saudi Arabia in 2018, they have been able to work as Uber drivers, but until now, the app had no gender-specific category for rides. Uber highlighted that this feature not only enhances rider safety and choice but also expands economic opportunities for Saudi women.

Female travelers comprised 44% of international visitors to Saudi Arabia last year—approximately 13 million people—according to the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). The STA acknowledges ongoing efforts to improve perceptions of safety for women travelers in the kingdom.

Recent reforms aimed at increasing women’s freedoms include relaxing gender segregation in restaurants (2019), allowing women to live independently without male guardian permission (2021), and launching women-led tours (2024). Saudi tourism campaigns increasingly spotlight women travelers, reflecting broader social changes.

Uber’s new option supports this evolving landscape by fostering safer, more comfortable travel experiences tailored to women, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s push for greater inclusion and empowerment.