Millions of Americans, including many Texans in cities like Dallas, Houston, and Austin, regularly rely on Uber and other rideshare services to get around. With just a few taps on a smartphone, a driver will arrive within minutes and take passengers to their desired destination. But as easy as rideshare transportation has become, many passengers rarely think about the driver picking them up.
A December investigation by The New York Times raised questions about whether Uber’s screening practices allowed some drivers with violent criminal histories to transport passengers.
Uber says it’s now preparing to tighten its driver background check policies. Still, the investigation has renewed concerns about rideshare passenger safety and the responsibility companies have to properly screen drivers who transport the public.
Investigation Raises Questions About Uber Screening Policies
According to The New York Times, Uber historically prohibited drivers who had been convicted of the most serious crimes, including murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, and terrorism. But in at least 22 states, the company allowed people convicted of other crimes, such as assault, stalking, and child abuse, to drive for the platform if the convictions were more than seven years old.
Uber had previously defended the seven-year cutoff, arguing that it struck a balance between protecting passengers and giving individuals with older criminal records the opportunity to rebuild their lives through employment.
However, following the investigation, Uber is now considering changes that would permanently disqualify individuals convicted of violent felonies, sexual offenses, and child or elder abuse from driving on the platform, regardless of how long ago the conviction occurred. The company has not yet announced when those changes will take effect.
In a statement to the Times, Uber spokesman Matt Kallman said the company continually reevaluates its safety policies.
“Safety isn’t static, and our approach isn’t, either,” Kallman said. “We listen, we learn, we speak with experts and we evolve as the world changes.”
Uber has also emphasized that the vast majority of rides are safe, noting that approximately 99.9 percent of trips on the platform are completed without incident.
Sexual Assault Reports Put Legal Pressure on Rideshare Companies
The debate over Uber’s background checks comes amid broader scrutiny of rideshare safety. The Times investigation reported that Uber received reports of sexual assault or misconduct in the U.S. approximately every eight minutes on average between 2017 and 2022.
The report also raised concerns that some drivers who had received passenger complaints could continue driving until more serious allegations surfaced.
Several cases cited in the investigation involved drivers who had prior criminal histories and were later accused of sexually assaulting passengers while working on the platform. These cases have fueled criticism from safety advocates and survivors who argue that stronger screening policies could help prevent some incidents.
Uber’s safety practices are also facing growing scrutiny in the courts and from lawmakers. Earlier this year, a federal jury in Phoenix awarded $8.5 million to a passenger who said an Uber driver raped her. In that case, Uber argued that it should not be held responsible because drivers are classified as independent contractors rather than employees.
The jury rejected that argument, a decision that could influence thousands of similar lawsuits filed across the country involving allegations of sexual assault or misconduct during rideshare trips.
At the same time, lawmakers in several states are considering stronger regulations for rideshare companies, including stricter driver background checks and additional safety requirements.
Texas Cases Highlight Rideshare Safety Concerns
Recent incidents in Texas illustrate why questions about rideshare screening and passenger safety continue to draw attention from lawmakers, investigators, and the public.
In North Texas, a Collin County jury convicted a rideshare driver of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl during a trip arranged through Uber Health transportation services. Prosecutors said the driver pulled into parking lots during the ride and assaulted the child before continuing the trip. The driver was arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison for sexual assault. The girl’s family also filed a civil lawsuit against Uber, arguing the company’s policies failed to prevent the incident and calling for stronger protections for riders.
The case also raised questions about rideshare policies involving minors. Uber’s rules state that unaccompanied minors are not allowed to use the platform, but the ride had been scheduled through a healthcare transportation program.
The victim’s family has said they hope speaking publicly about the case will help prevent similar incidents from happening to other riders.
In another case, federal investigators announced in early 2026 that four Houston-area men were charged with violent crimes involving rideshare passengers.
According to the FBI and federal prosecutors, the suspects allegedly kidnapped passengers and sexually assaulted them after picking them up during rideshare trips. Authorities say some victims were driven to locations other than their requested destinations or were prevented from leaving the vehicles.
The arrests were part of a broader federal initiative known as Operation Lighthouse, which focuses on investigating sexual abuse and violent crimes connected to rideshare services. Investigators said the cases show how offenders can exploit the trust passengers place in drivers.
Federal officials have asked anyone who believes they may have been victimized during a rideshare trip to contact investigators as the inquiry continues.
How Background Checks for Rideshare Drivers Work
Uber’s driver screening consists of a multi-layer background check that focuses on identity verification, driving safety, and criminal history. The company says it also continuously monitors records to flag new offenses after drivers are approved. However, no screening system can guarantee that every risk will be identified.
Rideshare companies typically rely on third-party screening services to review a driver’s criminal history and driving record before allowing them to operate on the platform. Criminal and motor vehicle records must be gathered from thousands of courts and government agencies across the country, and the accuracy of those checks often depends on how consistently those records are maintained.
The process is also shaped by a mix of federal, state, and local laws that govern what information can be reported and how far back background checks may go. Critics say those limitations can sometimes allow certain convictions to go undetected or fall outside the screening period used by rideshare companies.
Uber’s proposed changes to its background-check policies could be another step in the ongoing effort to improve passenger safety and accountability in the rapidly growing rideshare industry. However, as rideshare services continue to expand across Texas and the rest of the country, questions about how companies screen drivers and respond to safety concerns are likely to remain part of the public conversation.
For passengers who have experienced an assault or other incident during a rideshare trip, the consequences can be devastating. The attorneys at the Cochran Firm Texas are committed to helping victims seek accountability and justice. If you or a loved one has been harmed during a rideshare trip, you can contact us online, via live chat, or call toll-free at (800) 843-3476 to speak with our team about your legal options.
