College Students: Ride Sharing Safety

When accepting Lyft or Uber rides, passengers trust that these rideshare companies have done thorough background checks on drivers to ensure that these independent contractors are honest and safe. Rideshare companies do screen all drivers by confirming their identity and personal information through driver’s licenses and real-time photos, and they perform criminal background checks before contracting a driver for work. Background searches include a nationwide search of county court records, federal criminal records, and sex offender registries. Rideshare companies also monitor drivers on an annual basis for new criminal and driving offenses. With that said, it's still imperative to follow safety tips when taking any rideshare service.