Most rideshare drivers have experienced it at least once. A passenger exits the vehicle, the trip ends, and a few minutes later, a message arrives asking whether a phone, wallet, backpack, or another personal item was left behind.

While forgotten belongings are a routine part of rideshare driving, Uber’s latest Lost & Found Index shows just how often it happens and reveals some of the most unusual items drivers discovered in their vehicles during the past year.

The report highlights the most commonly forgotten items, the cities where riders leave belongings behind most often, and a new feature designed to make the return process easier in select markets.

New York City Remains the Most Forgetful City

According to Uber’s 2026 Lost & Found Index, New York City once again ranked first for items left behind in rideshare vehicles.

Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco followed closely behind. Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Dallas, Boston, Atlanta, and Newark completed the top ten.

While these cities generate high trip volumes, the findings reflect a challenge familiar to drivers everywhere. Riders are often focused on flights, meetings, events, or late-night plans and may leave the vehicle before checking the seat, floor, or door pockets for personal belongings.

Phones Continue to Top the List

Some lost items are so common that experienced drivers can almost predict what they will find. Uber reported that phones remained the most frequently forgotten item, with more than one million reported as lost during the reporting period.

Other commonly forgotten belongings included:

• Wallets
• Luggage
• Keys
• Headphones
• Clothing
• Passports
• Glasses
• Jewelry
• Laptops

For drivers, these items often result in return requests shortly after a trip ends, especially when passengers realize something is missing before reaching their next destination.

The Strangest Items Left Behind This Year

While most forgotten items are everyday belongings, some discoveries stand out.

Uber’s list of unusual items reported in 2026 included:

• Dentures with two teeth
• Breast milk
• An ankle monitor
• 420 donuts
• A live fish and a fish tank
• A Statue of Liberty cape
• A bald cap
• Two pounds of blue raspberry Gushers
• A child’s prosthetic eye
• A sleep apnea machine

These examples may be unusual, but they serve as a reminder that drivers never know what might be left behind after a trip.

When Are Riders Most Likely to Forget Something?

Uber found that Sundays generated the highest number of lost item reports.

July was also identified as the month when riders forgot the most belongings, while July 17 was named the most forgetful day of the year.

For drivers, these trends make sense. Weekends, travel periods, concerts, sporting events, nightlife activity, and busy summer schedules can increase the likelihood that passengers leave items behind when exiting a vehicle.

What This Means for Rideshare Drivers

Lost items can create additional work, but a few simple habits can help drivers avoid problems.

Checking the back seat and floor area after airport trips, late-night rides, and longer trips can help identify forgotten items before the next passenger enters the vehicle.

Many drivers also make a quick visual inspection part of their routine at the end of each trip. Finding an item immediately can make the return process much easier than discovering it hours later.

Responding promptly to lost item requests can also help reduce confusion and speed up the return process.

Uber Adds a New Lost Item Return Option

Uber also announced an updated lost item experience designed to simplify returns in select markets.

Through the app, riders may be able to request a trip specifically for the return of a lost item. The original driver can then deliver the item to a designated location, with the rider paying the associated fare through the app.

The feature is intended to reduce the time spent coordinating returns and provide a more structured process for both drivers and riders.

Drivers should review the latest information in the Uber app to determine whether the feature is available in their market and understand how the return process works.

Why Lost Item Procedures Matter

Most lost item situations involve common belongings such as phones, wallets, or keys. However, Uber’s annual report shows that drivers occasionally encounter much more unusual discoveries.

Whether the item is valuable, sentimental, or simply unexpected, following platform procedures and maintaining good communication can help returns go more smoothly.

While drivers cannot prevent every forgotten item, staying aware of when riders are most likely to leave belongings behind can help reduce headaches and make the process easier for everyone involved.

The ProDriverPoint editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content for rideshare, taxi, and NEMT professionals. Each article is built to reflect real-world experiences, industry updates, and insights drivers can actually use on the job.

Last updated: June 8, 2026

Source: USA Today