By David Risher, CEO
Here's something I learned working for Jeff Bezos: the strongest businesses are built on things that never change. Teens will always want independence. Parents will always want them safe. And families will always need affordable transportation that works for their lives.
When my kids were in high school, I lived with this problem. The endless shuttling. The logistics puzzle of who needs to be where, when. I watched other parents turn down opportunities because they couldn't make the schedule work. That’s why we built Lyft Teen–a safe, affordable way for parents and teens to live their best lives.
The reality: Teen driving has fundamentally changed
Things have changed in the last generation. Today only 25% of 16-year-olds have their license, down from nearly 50% in 2000.[1]
The economics help tell the story: Letting your teen drive your car? In addition to the wear and tear, it’ll cost you $2,306 per year in insurance.[3] Forget about saving money buying used: a pre-owned car will set you back around $25,000.[7] As for parents, they spend 192 hours per year—8 full days—just driving kids to activities.[5] More than half say it's hurt their careers.[6]
This generation isn't rejecting driving. They're making a considered choice about what works better for their lives.
What we built
Lyft Teen gives teenagers ages 13-17 the ability to request rides while parents maintain control through the Lyft app.
Safety first—not as an add-on
Your teen rides with drivers who meet our highest standards on our platform: annual background checks, proven safe driving records, positive passenger feedback, and experience on the road.
Every ride includes:
PIN verification by default.
Smart Trip Check-In for unusual route changes.
Audio Recording (with microphone access).
Live ride tracking for parents.
Compare that to handing your 16-year-old car keys, when teen drivers are three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than adult drivers.[4]
Parents stay in touch
Only verified Lyft accounts can create teen profiles. You see everything:
Driver details: name, photo, car, license plate, rating.
Text notifications: driver assigned, picked up, dropped off.
Live ride map and real-time status.
Direct driver contact if needed.
Complete payment visibility.
You can request rides for your teen or let them request their own. Either way, you maintain full visibility. No surprises, knowing that their safety is prioritized.
Economics that make sense
Pay only for the ride. No car payment. No insurance premium. Complete cost visibility.
Compare that to $2,306 per year in added insurance,[2] (which is ~100 Lyft rides, assuming about $20 per ride), or a used car at around $25,000,[7] plus gas, maintenance, and repairs. For many families, Lyft Teen isn't just more convenient—it's the only option that works.
A model for today’s generation
We're serving a generation that's growing up with rideshare as the default. For today's 13-year-olds, summoning a car is as intuitive as sending a text. Independence doesn’t mean getting a driver’s license. Mobility isn't the future—it's how teens already think.
The infrastructure of the 20th century was built around car ownership. The infrastructure of the 21st century is being built around access. We're building the transportation system this generation needs.
Availability
Lyft Teen launches today in over 200 major markets including New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington DC, and Miami. More markets are coming throughout 2026.
To see if Lyft Teen is available in your area, open the Lyft app, select your profile, and look for Lyft Teen.