Uber Safety Tips in South Africa: 6 Checks Before You Ride
Updated 29 October 2026 · By tshele
Quick answer: Most Uber trips in South Africa are uneventful, but no app can guarantee your safety. Before you get in: check the plate, car and driver photo, turn on PIN Verification, share your trip with someone you trust and know where the emergency button is. In South Africa, Uber partners with AURA to connect users with private security or medical responders. For a life-threatening emergency, call the police (10111) or 112 first.
Six checks before every ride
| # | Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Verify the plate, car and driver photo against the app | Never get into a car just because the driver says your name |
| 2 | Turn on PIN Verification | The driver must enter your four-digit PIN to start the trip |
| 3 | Share your trip | Trusted contacts can follow your route and ETA |
| 4 | Know RideCheck | The app can check in if there’s an unusual stop or a possible crash |
| 5 | Use audio recording if you’re worried | Recordings are encrypted on your phone and can be attached to a report |
| 6 | Find the Safety Toolkit (shield icon) before you need it | It gives you access to emergency assistance |
1. Always verify your driver and vehicle before getting in
Check the number plate, make and model and the driver’s photo against the details in your app. For an extra layer, Uber offers optional PIN Verification. Once it’s on, you get a unique four-digit PIN that the driver must enter before the trip can begin. You can set it for every trip, or only at night where available. You can switch it on in your app settings under “Verify Your Ride”.
2. Share your trip with someone you trust
Uber’s Share My Trip lets you share live trip details, including the route and estimated arrival time, with friends or family. You can also set up Trusted Contacts in advance, which makes sharing quicker when you’re travelling alone or late at night.
3. Know what to do if something feels wrong
RideCheck uses GPS and sensor data to detect certain unexpected events, such as an unusually long stop or a possible crash, where the feature is available. The app may then check in with the rider and driver and offer options for getting help. It supports your own judgement and doesn’t replace it. If the route changes unexpectedly or you feel uncomfortable, use the app’s safety tools and report the issue.
4. Use audio recording to document safety concerns
Uber’s in-app Audio Recording lets riders and drivers record audio during a trip. Recordings are encrypted and stored on your device, not uploaded automatically, and neither the rider nor the driver can listen back through the feature. If something happens, you can attach the recording to a report to Uber.
5. Remember that driver safety matters, too
Drivers face risks as well, including difficult interactions, unfamiliar destinations and long hours. Uber’s two-way ratings let both sides give feedback, in-app calling helps protect personal phone numbers, and driving-break reminders help drivers manage fatigue. Treat drivers respectfully, follow road rules and report concerning behaviour through the app.
6. Know how to get emergency assistance
Tap the shield icon during a trip to open the Safety Toolkit and its Emergency Assistance option. It covers three situations: a medical emergency or accident, a security incident such as a robbery or hijacking, and roadside assistance after a breakdown or collision. In South Africa, Uber works with AURA, whose control room can coordinate the dispatch of private security or medical responders using live location information. smetechgurusmetechguru
In a life-threatening emergency, call 10111 (police) or 112 from a cellphone first. In-app tools offer another route to help but shouldn’t be treated as a guarantee of a particular response.
Is Uber safe in South Africa?
It depends on the trip, the time and your habits, and no app can promise zero risk. What the app does offer is a set of tools: verified driver details, trip sharing, PIN Verification, RideCheck, an emergency button, phone-number masking and ratings. Using them reduces risk but doesn’t remove it.
Uber’s own South Africa Economic Impact Report, which is company-commissioned, reports that 76% of riders said finding a safe way to travel at night would be difficult without ridesharing. It also reports that 83% of women cite safety as a primary reason for choosing Uber, and 81% say it is the safest way to get home after dark. Treat these as Uber’s figures, not independent measurements. smetechguru
Is Uber safe in Cape Town? The same tools apply in every city, and safety also depends on local conditions such as time of night and area. Use the six checks above, and share your trip when travelling alone.
What is Women Rider Preference?
In South Africa, Uber has introduced a Women Drivers option, also described as Women Rider Preference. It is visible only to women riders, who can choose to travel with women drivers, and it works alongside existing safety features including GPS tracking, Share My Trip, RideCheck and 24/7 in-app emergency support. Availability depends on your area and on how many women drivers are nearby. lifestyleandtech
How do I change my destination on Uber?
Menu names differ by app version, so use this as a guide and check Uber’s help page if yours looks different:
- Open your trip in the app.
- Tap the destination or drop-off line, or the option to edit or add a stop.
- Enter the new address and confirm.
- Check the updated fare and route before you agree.
For safety, tell the driver about the change out loud and confirm it appears on both screens. Be cautious if a driver asks you to cancel and pay in cash or switches the route without telling you.
What if something goes wrong?
- In immediate danger: call 10111 or 112.
- Use Emergency Assistance in the Safety Toolkit to reach AURA.
- Share your live location with someone you trust, if it’s safe to do so.
- After the trip: report the incident in the app. If you recorded audio, attach it to your report.
- For gender-based violence support, the national GBV Command Centre runs a free 24-hour line: 0800 428 428.
Do these tips apply to Bolt, inDrive and Maxim?
Many of the habits apply to any e-hailing app: check the plate and driver, share your trip and avoid sharing personal details. Features differ by app. For example, Bolt has described an emergency button, trip sharing and selfie-based identity checks, so check each app’s own safety settings. See also our Maxim promo code guide.
Make safety part of every trip
Safety starts before the car arrives. For riders: check the vehicle and driver, use available verification, wear a seat belt, share your trip when appropriate and report concerning behaviour. For drivers: follow road rules, stay alert, take breaks and use the platform’s support tools. Getting home safely is a shared responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
Is Uber safe in South Africa?
Uber offers a range of safety tools, but no app can guarantee safety. Use the checks above and trust your judgement.
Is Uber safe in Cape Town?
The same features apply in every city. Local conditions and time of night matter, so share your trip and verify your driver.
How does PIN Verification work?
You get a four-digit PIN in the app. The driver must enter it before the trip starts. You can turn it on in your settings.
What is RideCheck?
A feature that can detect unusual events such as a long stop or a possible crash and check in with you.
How do I contact emergency help in the Uber app?
Tap the shield icon during a trip, open the Safety Toolkit and choose Emergency Assistance. In South Africa it connects to AURA.
What is AURA?
Uber’s emergency-response partner in South Africa, which can help coordinate private security or medical responders.
Can I record my Uber ride?
Uber offers in-app Audio Recording. Recordings are encrypted on your device, and you can attach them to a report.
Can I choose a woman driver?
Uber South Africa offers a Women Drivers option for women riders in selected areas, subject to availability.
How do I change my destination?
Open your trip, edit the drop-off, enter the new address and confirm the new fare.
Do I call Uber or the police in an emergency?
Call 10111 or 112 first for a life-threatening emergency. Use the app’s tools as well.
