Lyft has launched a new feature allowing teenagers between 13 and 17 to book their own rides while providing parents with real-time tracking and account management. This service mirrors similar offerings from competitors and includes specialized safety protocols such as mandatory PIN verification and automatic audio recording for every trip.
Lyft has officially expanded its service to include specialized accounts for teenagers aged 13 to 17, allowing them to request independent transportation. While the teens manage the ride requests through their own app interface, parents or guardians remain central to the process by maintaining full oversight. This includes the ability to monitor the vehicle's progress on a map in real time and receive automated notifications the moment a trip begins or ends.
Safety is a primary focus for this new demographic, leading the company to implement several protective layers. Every driver assigned to these trips must meet elevated criteria, including passing annual background checks and maintaining a consistent history of positive passenger feedback. By ensuring that only experienced drivers with clean records handle these fares, the company aims to provide peace of mind to families using the platform.
The app also incorporates technical safeguards designed to prevent common rideshare mishaps. Before a trip can start, the teenager must provide a unique PIN to the driver to ensure they are entering the correct vehicle. Additionally, the platform has enabled an audio recording feature by default for these rides, creating a digital record of the interaction that can be reviewed if any safety concerns arise during the journey.
Communication remains open throughout the experience, as the app allows parents to contact the driver directly if necessary. This level of transparency is intended to make the service feel like a collaborative effort between the teen, the parent, and the rideshare company. It effectively bridges the gap between total independence for the minor and the supervision required by the legal guardian.
The service is currently active in 200 major markets across the country, including metropolitan hubs like New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, and Miami. Although it is not yet available in every location, the company plans to continue expanding the program to additional cities throughout the year. This rollout marks a significant shift in how the company approaches family transportation and competition within the industry.
Source: Lyft Rolls Out Teen Accounts With Enhanced Safety Protections