Uber and Lyft Safety Tips: Check Your Ride Before You Get In

The 30-second check at the curb

Do this every time, even when you are in a hurry:

• Wait inside or somewhere well lit until the app says your driver has arrived.
• Match the license plate to the one in your app. This is the most important check.
• Match the make, model and color of the car.
• Match the driver's face to the photo in the app.
• Ask "Who are you here to pick up?" Let the driver say your name. Don't offer it first.

If something does not match

Don't get in. Cancel the trip in the app and report the mismatch. A different plate or a different driver is a reason to walk away, even if the person seems friendly and has an explanation.

Real rideshare cars only pick up riders who booked through the app. Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you offering one.

During the ride

• Sit in the back seat. It gives you space and two exits.
• Share your trip status with a friend from the app.
• Follow along on your own map. If the route makes no sense, ask about it.
• Keep your phone charged and in your hand, not in a bag.
• Use the in-app safety or emergency features if you feel unsafe. In an emergency, call 911.

Check the vehicle itself: free federal tools

Plates and photos tell you who is driving. The vehicle has its own record, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes it for free.

NHTSA's recall lookup shows open safety recalls by VIN, the 17-character vehicle identification number. Recalls cover things like airbags, brakes and steering. Its vPIC decoder turns a VIN into the year, make, model and other build details, so you can confirm the car is what it's supposed to be.

NHTSA also collects owner complaints about safety problems, searchable by make and model.

If you ride in New York City

New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) licenses for-hire vehicles, including the cars used by Uber and Lyft in the city. NYC publishes TLC vehicle records on its Open Data portal, so a for-hire plate can be matched to an active TLC-licensed vehicle.

For drivers, too

Safety goes both ways. Drivers can confirm the rider's name before starting a trip, keep a dash camera where local law allows, and end any trip that feels wrong. Checking your own car's VIN for open recalls is free and quick, and recall repairs are done at no charge by the dealer.

Before you book

A few habits make the curb check easier:

• Book from inside, and wait there until the car has arrived.
• Turn on trip sharing in the app's settings so a trusted contact can follow every ride automatically.
• At night or in unfamiliar areas, choose a pickup point that is well lit and easy for the driver to reach.
• Keep your destination to yourself until you are in the right car. A real driver already has it in the app.
• Set a PIN or verification code if your rideshare app offers one. The driver can't start the trip until you share it.

Airport and event pickups

Busy pickup zones are where mix-ups happen most. Many cars look alike, and people offering rides may approach you. Go only to the official rideshare pickup area, check the plate on every car before you reach for the door, and ignore anyone who approaches you on foot. The same check takes ten seconds and works everywhere.

Where TRUVO360 fits

TRUVO360 Ride Verify puts these vehicle checks in one place. Enter a VIN or plate and it pulls NHTSA data — VIN decoding, open recalls and owner complaints — and, for New York City for-hire vehicles, NYC TLC records. You get a 0-100 safety score in about 30 seconds. It checks the vehicle, not the person driving it.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• NHTSA — Recalls lookup
• NHTSA — vPIC VIN decoder
• NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission

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