Any college student looking for a flexible part-time job will soon have one less option as Uber has changed its minimum age requirement for new drivers from 21-years-old to 25-years-old, according to an ABC News article.
According to the driver requirement section of Uber’s website, the requirement will go into effect on Aug. 23.
Those under 25 who signed up to drive for Uber prior to Aug. 23 can continue to drive for the company, according to the same website.
Chicano studies senior Leonela Zavalza said this new age requirement restricts opportunities for young adults.
“I highly believe it restricts young adults [from] stepping into the real world, trying to navigate through financial barriers and other limited opportunities due to their age,” Zavalza said. “This incoming generation of adults is already living paycheck to paycheck, suffering an unjust economy that makes it extremely difficult to get housing or achieve financial stability.”
Insurance laws in California are the reason for the change in age requirement, said a spokesperson for Uber in an email.
“California’s insurance coverage requirements for rideshare are baselessly higher than nearly every other car on the road: up to 10 times that of taxis and 30 times that of personal vehicles,” a spokesperson for Uber said in the email. “As a result of these lopsided requirements, personal-injury attorneys have created a cottage industry specializing in suing rideshare platforms like ours, pushing Uber’s California state-mandated commercial insurance costs to rise by more than 65% in just two years.”
In the same email, the spokesperson for Uber said increasing the age requirement is meant to mitigate the growth of costs of insurance.
Zavalza said she believes the new-age requirement will affect many college students.
According to a National Center for Education Statistics study, 71% of 18-19 year olds and 40% of 20-24 year olds are enrolled in college.
“It is already very difficult juggling school and work, but for those that have no choice but to work, Uber allows one to create their own schedule and accommodate their school schedule,” Zavalza said.
Zavalza said she would prefer to have Uber drivers closer to her age.
“As a 22 year old, I’d rather be surrounded with my age group as I’d be able to relate more and feel heard,” Zavalza said. “I also believe older groups of people are more prone to being racist, stubborn and close minded, creating uncomfortable environments.”
An individual who identified themself as Larry Dumetz and currently works for Uber Eats said they started working for Uber Eats during the pandemic and the pay rate was great, but started looking into driving for Uber after the pay for Uber Eats declined.
“Since the pay rate dropped, I was starting to look and lean towards driving for Uber, but now that it's unavailable, I'm really not left with that many options,” Dumetz said.
They said balancing school and work life is usually pretty hectic. However, since Uber allows them to pick his own schedule, they are able to make money whenever they want.
Dumetz said the changing of the age requirement is unfair for young adults.
“Maybe there should be certain safeties, extra safeties, for drivers that are under 25,” Dumetz said. “People who are under 25 are more likely to get in car accidents and have incidents with vehicles. But I think to cut that off as a whole, I think is unfair.”
The company stated in an email from a spokesperson for Uber, it hopes to work with lawmakers, policy leaders and industry experts to discuss legislative and regulatory changes that will improve the experience for all California drivers.
