Uber ‘No Car Available’ Message: What It Means and What to Do!
message no car available Indicates that Uber service is not available for the ride you requested at the location you need service. This can happen for a number of reasons.
This article explains the no car available message in the Uber app: what it means, why it happens, and what you can do when it happens to you.
Why does my Uber app say “No cars available?”
Uber drivers are independent contractors rather than full-time employees, and they choose their own work schedules. This means that the availability of ride-hailing services is influenced not only by demand, but also by the number of drivers willing to work on each “shift”.
For example, if you’re in an area with little nightlife and generally low demand for taxis, Uber drivers may choose not to drive at certain times of the day.
This also applies to urban suburbs, small rural towns and any small towns close to cities, and areas where roads are poor or difficult.
Another recent pressure on Uber’s availability has been the coronavirus distance requirement, which has been announced on Uber’s website:
Riders are no longer allowed to sit in the front seat when riding in Uber in an effort to create a greater distance between riders and drivers. That means Uber takes one less passenger seat every time it calls in a car.
Other reporting reasons for “No Cars Available” notifications include:
- Uber app is down
- Uber app error
- Widespread shortage of Uber drivers
- Temporary shortage of Uber drivers
- Drivers temporarily cut short trips due to bad weather
- Violation of terms of use
- Taxi services have a “No Ride” list, which marks passengers who are no longer welcome on the service. Uber has a rating system that flags consistent bad behavior. If you’ve been tagged, the app will continue to show you “No cars available,” no matter how many actually are.
- Uber will avoid matching you with drivers if you have given them bad reviews in the past. It’s important not to think you can’t fully use the service.
What you can do if your Uber app tells you you have no rides available?
Regular Uber users have collected a list of possible solutions to this problem. These range from checking your app to choosing other rider services.
- Check if your network is working properly
- Fix your app – update via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and make the request again
- Keep calling anyway – in some areas drivers are incentivized to accept your response and drive further to pick you up
- wait a while and try again
- Change your ride type – the ride you request may be “full” or not available at all in the area you are using the app
- Change your pick-up destination or route to get there
- Choose a different Uber vehicle
Read: Do Uber drivers prefer short trips or long trips?
What is the Uber ride service?
Uber offers different types of rides, that’s why it’s possible to get a ride with a different service than the one shown to youNo rides available’. It’s also important to know that not all rides are available in all regions.
Uber rides include:
Uber Select – entry-level luxury for up to 4 people
Uber Green – sustainable electric cars (slightly more expensive)
Uber Reserve – book your ride in advance
UberX – 4 passengers
UberX Saver – Wait a little longer and pay cheaper
UberX Share – share a ride with another Uber user
UberXL – up to 6 people
Uber Comfort – new car with extra legroom for 4 passengers
Uber Premier – premium rides in limousines
Uber Black SUV – Premium Luxury Ride for 6
Uber WEV – Ride Assistance for the Elderly and Disabled
Uber pet – Pet-friendly driver for just a few bucks more than UberX.
Note that Uber drivers must opt in to Uber Pet, and Pets are not required to be brought into the vehicle unless the animal is a designated service animal.
Read: How reliable is Uber for scheduling rides?
Why Uber is having “No service available?
Uber charges that show up on your account that you don’t acknowledge are due to services you didn’t receive should be taken seriously and investigated. Uber has a number of online information resources for users to submit and resolve charges they did not incur.
Uber offers the following recommendations:
You may have been charged by Uber for a temporary authorization hold that they will locate after you request a ride at the normal prepaid fare. Uber will cancel the temporary authorization hold after the ride is complete, but it may take up to five days for the charge to be removed from your credit card or bank statement.
- A family member or friend may have picked up a ride with your account and forgot to let you know.
- It’s possible that other riders accidentally took the Uber ride you requested, especially in busy and crowded downtown areas. To avoid this confusion, use the “Verify Your Trip” feature so you know you’re getting into the car with the correct driver.
- You may be looking at Uber fees, which include cancellation and cleaning fees,
- You signed up for Uber Ride Pass or Uber Eats Pass
- You received a payment from uber Cash. Uber Cash is a digital balance and in-app wallet that you can top up anytime, and you can use your Uber Cash balance to book a car or order food.
If you determine that you have been charged (or overcharged) for not taking a ride, please contact Uber customer service to dispute the charge through the company website or mobile app. If it becomes apparent that you were billed incorrectly, you will receive a refund.
Read: Can you pay cash for Uber?
in conclusion…
“No car available” is the last notification you want before (or during) an evening out.
However, there are legitimate reasons for these delays, and there are some solutions worth trying.
Uber’s help pages are also helpful, where you’ll find steps to resolve many common issues.
