Are you looking for a transportation solution for your child and wondering if you can order an Uber for them to travel alone? The answer depends on your child’s age and the type of trip (one-time or regular, such as school transportation). Here’s what parents in the Paris region need to know about transporting unaccompanied children, including legal requirements, available options, and specialized alternatives.
According to an Uber survey conducted in October 2024 among 4,300 parents in France, parents spend an average of two hours a week driving their children around, a figure that rises to four hours for one-third of them. Faced with this reality, many families are looking for transportation solutions tailored to their children’s needs. What options are available in the Île-de-France region?
Uber and Minors: What the Terms of Service Say
Standard Uber services: available to riders 18 and older
Uber’s Terms of Service (Article 5.3) state that users must be “eighteen (18) years of age or the legal age of majority” to create an account and use standard Uber services (UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Green, etc.).
Uber for Teens: the new service for 13- to 17-year-olds
On October 30, 2024, Uber launched “Uber for Teens” in France, a service specifically designed for teenagers aged 13 to 17. This ride-hailing service allows young people to book their own rides under parental supervision.
The service is available in 13 French metropolitan areas, including Paris and the entire Paris region (departments 75, 77, 78, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95).
📍 Availability: Throughout the Île-de-France region
👶 Age: 13 to 17 years old
🎯 How it works: Ride-hailing service with parental controls (GPS, PIN code, notifications)
What about children under 13?
According to Uber’s Terms of Service, Uber services (including standard Uber and Uber for Teens) are available to users aged 13 and older. For children under 13, no Uber service allows for the transportation of unaccompanied minors.
Uber for teens: What safety features does it offer?
Uber developed this service in collaboration with safety experts such as Safe Kids Worldwide and ParentZone. Features include:
Real-time GPS tracking: Parents receive continuous updates on the trip (driver’s name, vehicle, destination, location).
PIN code required: The teenager must provide the driver with a unique code before getting in. The ride cannot begin without this code.
Enhanced Ride Check: Proactive detection of unexpected stops or route deviations, with alerts sent to parents.
Driver selection: Only experienced private drivers with the highest ratings are eligible to accept these trips.
Direct communication: Parents can contact the driver at any time and have access to the emergency assistance button.
School transportation and after-school activities: What are the solutions in the Île-de-France region?
Features of Uber for Teens
Uber for Teens is available to teens aged 13 to 17. The service charges per ride and uses a system of drivers who vary based on availability. According to Uber, this product was designed to allow teens to get around independently for occasional trips.
Services specializing in the transportation of children
Companies such as KidCab specialize in transporting children to school and after-school activities in the Île-de-France region. These ride-sharing platforms offer a different approach, tailored to the needs of regular transportation.
Features of these services:
Age requirement: Children ages 3 and up are welcome (preschool, elementary school, middle school, high school).
Selection of chauffeurs: Recruitment is based on criteria such as experience in the transportation industry, private-hire driver licenses, or LOTI certification, as well as qualities like patience, sensitivity, and a caring attitude. Each candidate undergoes a thorough interview.
Organization of recurring trips: Advance reservations by parents, scheduling of regular trips, fixed schedules, coordination with schools and after-school programs.
Safety: Real-time GPS tracking, notifications to parents, and confirmation that the child has been handed over to a responsible adult.
Pricing plans: Monthly passes are available for school transportation, with the option of shared rides.
According to Vicki Shotbolt, CEO of ParentZone, who advised Uber on the development of Uber for Teens: “It’s important that there are no surprises for teens, their parents, or the driver.” This requirement for transparency is also a hallmark of specialized services.
Two complementary approaches to transporting children
Parent-monitored ride-hailing services (Uber for teens)
Target audience: Teens ages 13–17
How it works: Pay-per-ride, with a variety of private drivers
Recommended use by Uber: One-time and occasional rides
Parental controls: Parentalmonitoring via the app (GPS, notifications, PIN code)
Services specializing in supporting children
Target audience: Children ages 3 and up
How it works: Monthly passes available; option for a designated driver
Usage: Regular trips (school, weekly activities)
Support: Selected driver-chaperones; coordination with childcare facilities; verified drop-off
These two types of services cater to different needs depending on the child’s age, the frequency of trips, and the family’s organizational preferences.
Child Transportation in Île-de-France: Comparison Chart
| Criterion | Standard Uber | Uber for teens | Specialized Service (KidCab) |
| Age requirement | 18 and older (Terms of Service) | Ages 13 to 17 | Ages 3 and up |
| Type of service | General-purpose VTC | Ride-hailing + parental controls | Specialized Child Care |
| Driver Selection | Private Chauffeur License | Experienced private drivers, top ratings | VTC/LOTI + patience/sensitivity + maintenance |
| GPS Parental Monitoring | No | Yes | Yes |
| Security PIN | No | Yes | Varies by department |
| Regular school transportation | Not available (18+) | Available, pay-as-you-go | Available; monthly plans offered |
| Support | Standard VTC | Standard VTC | A mission dedicated to children |
| Adult discount | No | No | Yes, verification |
| Type of liability | Matching platform | Matching platform | Direct contract |
| Pricing | On the run | On the run | Monthly plans available |
| Driver | Variable | Variable | Potential lead driver |
How to choose a transportation option for your child?
For teens ages 13–17: one-time trips
Uber for Teens is available for occasional rides if your teen is independent and you want to track their location via GPS.
Example: Your 15-year-old daughter comes home from a party at 10:30 p.m. Uber for Teens lets her get home with GPS tracking and a PIN code.
For children under 13
Since Uber for Teens is available to users aged 13 and older, specialized services like KidCab offer a solution for younger children (ages 3 and up).
Situations in which a specialized service may be appropriate:
- Children in preschool, elementary school, or early middle school
- Daily school transportation or regular after-school activities
- Seeking a Lead Companion Driver
- Verification required for handover to a responsible adult
- Preference for a predictable schedule with fixed hours and a monthly flat rate
Example: Your 8-year-old son has judo practice every Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A specialized service can pick him up from school, take him to practice, and bring him back home.
For daily school transportation: other options
Options available in the Île-de-France region:
- Carpooling among parents (coordination required)
- Walking bus or bike bus (if available in your neighborhood)
- Municipal school transportation (depending on the municipality)
- Service specializing in subscription plans
Conclusion: Choose the solution that best suits your needs
There are now several options for transporting children in the Île-de-France region, depending on the child’s age and the type of trip.
Uber for Teens is available to teens aged 13 to 17 and includes parental supervision features (GPS tracking, PIN code, notifications). The service charges per ride for one-time trips.
Specialized services like KidCab accept children as young as 3 and offer subscription plans for regular trips, with drivers selected based on criteria such as patience, sensitivity, and a caring attitude.
These two approaches address different needs. The choice depends on your child’s age, how often you travel (occasionally or regularly), and your family’s preferences.
Are you looking for a solution for your children’s regular commutes in the Paris area? Specialized services like KidCab provide transportation for children ages 3 and up with carefully selected drivers who also serve as companions. Monthly packages for school transportation, real-time GPS tracking, and coordination with schools: a solution designed to help you manage your family’s schedule.
FAQ: Your Questions About Transporting Children and Uber
Does Uber refuse to pick up children traveling alone?
Uber’s Terms of Service (Section 5.3) state that the standard Uber service is available to users aged 18 and older. Uber for Teens, launched in October 2024, allows teens aged 13 to 17 to ride with parental supervision (GPS, PIN code, notifications).
Can I order an Uber for my 10-year-old?
According to the Terms of Service, the standard Uber service is available to users aged 18 and older. Uber for Teens is available to users aged 13 and older. For younger children, specialized services like KidCab accept minors as young as 3 years old with a designated chaperone.
Is Uber for Teens available throughout the Île-de-France region?
Yes, Uber for Teens has been available throughout the Paris region (departments 75, 77, 78, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95) since October 2024.
How do I create an Uber account for teens?
From the Uber app, go to your family profile and invite your teenager (ages 13–17) to create an account. You retain full parental control: real-time GPS tracking, notifications at every step, and driver information.
Are the drivers different between Uber for teens and specialized services?
Uber drivers for teens are experienced ride-hailing drivers with top ratings. Specialized services like KidCab recruit driver-partners based on criteria that include professional licenses, experience, patience, sensitivity, and a caring attitude, along with an in-depth interview to assess their suitability for working with children.
What is the best solution for daily school transportation?
Uber for Teens operates on a pay-per-ride basis with rotating drivers. Specialized services offer monthly plans with the option of a designated driver for regular trips. The choice depends on your organizational preferences and your child’s age.
What should I do if my child is under 13 and has to travel alone?
Since Uber services are available to riders aged 13 and older, specialized services like KidCab offer a solution for younger children. They accept children as young as 3 years old, provided they are accompanied by a designated adult, with verification that they are handed over to an adult and parental supervision.
KidCab is a family-owned ride-sharing company specializing in transporting children in the Île-de-France region. Our partner drivers safely and professionally transport children ages 3 to 17 to school, after-school activities, and recreational events.
