Uber’s purpose is to safely get you from point A to point B. We understand there are impediments to safety and drowsy driving is a deterrent and an issue for all who share the road. In order to prevent that we have introduced a new feature in the app called driving hours limit that prompts drivers to go offline for six straight hours after a total of 12 hours of driving time.

What is the new feature?

The driving hours limit feature will put a time limit on how long drivers can drive on Uber before having to take a break. The app will notify drivers of the need to take a break after 12 hours of driving. Drivers will then need to go offline for an entire 6 hour period before the timer resets. Following the reset, they will be able to take trip requests again.

How will drivers know when they reach 12 hours?

The app has a timer that will make it easy for them to track how much driving time is left.

What counts towards a driver’s 12 hours of driving time?

Any time spent online and driving on the Uber app counts toward the 12-hour driving limit. Time spent engaged in driving will count, for example, when stopped at a traffic light. If a driver is online but waiting for a trip at a parking lot, that time is not counted.

What happens if a driver is on a trip when he hits the 12-hour limit?

If the driver is on a trip that puts him over the 12-hour limit, they will be able to continue driving until the trip is completed. After the trip ends, the app will log him out and make him go offline so that he can take a break.

Will the app reset after a 24-hour period?

No. The app only resets after the driver has taken an uninterrupted break of 6 hours or more. 

Not many know the risks or warning signs of drowsy driving. With this new launch, we aim to make the roads safer and help drivers keep track of their time spent on the road, making it safer for both drivers, riders and others on the road.

Uber is constantly looking at new ways to use technology to contribute to safety in our communities. We want to promote safe and responsible use of our app. Together, we move.