Skip to main content

    Uber & Lyft Coach

    Cab on demand. Cheaper than taxis. Set up once, use anywhere.

    What Uber and Lyft are

    Apps that connect you with a nearby driver in their own car. You tap a button, a driver shows up in 3-10 minutes. The price is shown before you confirm — no meter surprise. You don't pay cash; the credit card on file is charged automatically.

    Uber and Lyft are nearly identical. Lyft is sometimes cheaper, Uber sometimes faster. Many people install both and pick whichever shows the better price that day.

    Step 1 — Set up the app

    1. Install Uber or Lyft from the App Store or Play Store.
    2. Sign up — phone number, email, name.
    3. Type a credit or debit card number. (Or link Apple Pay / Google Pay.)
    4. Add an Emergency Contact in the app's safety settings.

    Step 2 — Book your first ride

    1. Open the app. It already knows where you are.
    2. Type where you want to go in the box at the top — restaurant, doctor's office, grandkid's school.
    3. App shows the price and how long the wait is. Different ride types — UberX (cheap), Comfort (newer car), XL (van for 6 people).
    4. Tap "Confirm" or "Request".
    5. A photo of your driver, the car make/color, and license plate appears. Watch the map — you can see them coming.

    Step 3 — Verify before you get in

    1. BEFORE you open the door, check the license plate matches the app.
    2. Ask the driver, "Who are you here to pick up?" — they should say YOUR name. (Don't say your name first.)
    3. Look at the driver's face — should match the photo.
    4. If anything is off, walk away. Cancel in the app. Wait for a different driver.

    During the ride

    • Sit in the back seat unless you have a reason to sit up front.
    • Wear your seatbelt.
    • You can share trip details with family — tap "Share Trip" in the app. They see your route in real time.
    • If anything feels unsafe, tap the shield icon → "Emergency" or "911".

    After the ride

    • App shows the final price — pulled from your card automatically. No cash needed.
    • Rate the driver 1-5 stars. (5 unless something was wrong.)
    • Tip is optional but appreciated — $2-$5 for short trips, 15-20% for longer.
    • Receipt emails to you instantly.

    Avoid surprise charges

    • "Surge" pricing — when demand is high (rush hour, rain, after concerts), prices jump 1.5x to 3x. The app warns you before you confirm.
    • Cancellation fee — if you cancel after 2 minutes, $5-$10 charge.
    • Cleaning fee — if you spill or worse, drivers can report — up to $150.
    • Long pickup — if the driver waits more than 2-5 minutes for you, a wait fee starts.

    Senior-friendly options

    Uber and Lyft both have "Older Adult" phone support — call to book a ride without using the app. Uber: 1-833-USE-UBER. Lyft: 1-855-865-9553. Some Medicare Advantage plans also cover free Lyft rides to medical appointments — check with your plan.

    Uber & Lyft Coach — First Ride for Beginners | TekSure