Uber is considered a pretty safe side-hustle, but if you’re driving late nights, it’s only natural to want extra protection.
But can an Uber driver carry a gun? Does Uber have a firearm policy? This is what we found…
Can Uber Drivers Carry Guns?
According to the Uber Firearms Policy, Uber prohibits riders and their guests, as well as driver and delivery partners, from carrying firearms of any kind while using the app, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Uber also state that the only situation where they would allow a firearm while using the app is if you are transporting a firearm in accordance with the Transportation Security Administration rules for transporting firearms and ammunition.
This means that a firearm must be unloaded and locked in a hard-sided container in the trunk of the vehicle. All parts, including magazines, clips, ammunition, and bolts and firing pins must also be transported in the trunk of the vehicle.
Uber state that: Failure to comply with this policy may lead to account deactivation.
This article takes a look at Uber’s Firearms Policy and what it means for both Drivers and Passengers.
What Are The Transportation Security Administration Rules?
The Transportation Security Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It has authority over the security of transportation systems within and connecting to the United States.
The administration was created as a response to the September 11 attacks in 2001 to improve airport security procedures and consolidate air travel security.
This means that the TSA is responsible for developing broad policies to protect the U.S. transportation system, which included highways, railroads, buses, mass transit systems, ports, pipelines, and intermodal freight facilities. These policies apply to Uber because Uber is an American mobility as a service or ride-hailing company.
- Specially, when driving (or riding in) an Uber vehicle, you may transport (but not carry) unloaded firearms in a locked hard-sided container as baggage only.
- The container must completely secure the firearm from being accessed. Locked cases that can be easily opened are not permitted.
- The container the firearm was in when purchased may not adequately secure the firearm when it is transported as baggage.
You can contact the TSA Contact Center with questions you have regarding TSA firearm regulations and for clarification on what you may or may not transport in an Uber vehicle.
If you drive for or ride with Uber and the company finds out that you have a firearm in your vehicle, Uber can ban you from using the service as driver or passenger.
This prohibition applies to both Uber and Uber Eats, regardless of other state laws.
Read: Do Uber Drivers Make More At Night?
What Are Uber’s Safety Policies?
Uber have published detailed safety policies to demonstrate their commitment to the safety of their partners and riders. This Commitment to Safety can be found on the Uber website. Safety strategies include:
- Strengthened background checks and new screening technology and policies to help make the Uber community safer.
- New steps to reduce the risk of drowsy driving.
- Strategies to deter misconduct
- Added new safety features such as the in-app emergency button and Trusted Contacts so there are multiple sets of eyes on each ride.
Ride Check
Since the very first Uber ride, GPS data has been used to put every trip on the map. This means that Uber know where and when passengers are riding and who’s behind the wheel. Technology can now also detect possible crashes.
The new Ride Check helps make sure passengers are OK in the event of a possible crash and gives tools to get help quickly. When a Ride Check is initiated, riders and drivers will be prompted to use the Safety Toolkit, which includes the option for 911 assistance. Our safety team can also follow up by phone to make sure everyone is safe.
Driver Safety
Hands-free pickups using voice activated commands. This feature means that drivers and delivery partners can interact in a hands-free way with the Uber app, and can accept trips and communicate with customers using their voice.
Driver Emergency Button
When a driver calls 911 from the Uber app, the app displays the live location and trip details, which can be shared with the emergency dispatcher.
RideCheck
By using sensors and GPS data, RideCheck can help detect if a trip goes unusually off-course. If the app alerts Uber to anything unusual, they will reach out to provide passengers with the resources needed to get help.
Uber Support
Uber Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is handled by a team of trained safety agents, and your personal details stay private. Neither drivers nor riders will see each other’s numbers when communicating through the Uber app.
Once a trip is completed, the app also protects rider information by concealing specific pickup and drop-off addresses in a driver’s trip history.
Read: Do Uber Drivers Prefer Short Or Long Trips?
Background Checks
All drivers are background checked before their first trip and must undergo a multi-step safety screen, including being checked for driving violations, impaired driving, violent crime, and other checks.
In addition, Uber checks drivers every year and uses technology to look for issues in between. Background checks are conducted by a third party company called Checkr.
How Do I Keep Myself Safe During My Uber Ride?
Uber offer the following strategies to use before, during, and after every Uber ride you take. The strategies are mostly quick and simple, and even when they seem pointless or unnecessary are still worth carrying out:
- Always check the license plate of your ride as it approaches you, and make sure it matches the license plate in the app. When requesting a trip through the Uber app, you will always receive the driver’s photo, name, the car make/model and license plate number.
- Ask (and answer) some questions. Drivers are required to know your name and destination before you get in. Before getting inside the car, ask the driver their name and if they know who you are. If they don’t know you, there’s something wrong.
- Keep aware. No matter how great your night out was, you still need to go through your safety checks.
- Watch where you sit. Always sit in the back seat – and not behind the driver. The seat behind the front passenger seat gives the most vision of what’s going on inside the car.
- Use a safe location – use a secure location but not necessarily at your home. “No driver needs to know your exact address.
- Notice things that don’t look right. Look out for drivers who are not in the car the app says they’re supposed to be driving or if they’re not sober or there’s someone else in the car with them. When this happens, call another ride.
- Don’t be afraid to get out – If you’re already in your car and you spot a red flag, don’t be afraid to end the ride early.
Read: How Reliable Is Uber Schedule A Ride?
Summary
Uber drivers and riders cannot carry a gun while they are using the Uber services in any capacity.
This is because Uber must comply with the Transportation Security Administration rules for transporting firearms and ammunition.
This means that firearms can be transported (in a very particular way) but not carried in Uber vehicles. Uber drivers or riders who contravene this policy are likely to be dismissed.
Uber urge partners and passengers to familiarize themselves with Uber’s safety strategies and to carry out their own safety checks when using or delivering the service.