5 Free and Safe Ways to Get Home After Your New Year's Party


New Year's Eve celebrations are most famous for those sparkly champagne toasts. However, too much celebrating leads to a dangerous night of driving. Based on past accident data, National Safety Council statisticians estimate that 427 people are likely to die in fatal car crashes during the New Year's holiday.

Whether you plan on drinking yourself or just need a safe ride home between December 31 and January 1, here are five free rides to get you where you're going.

1. Public Transportation

Several cities across the nation waive public transportation fees on New Year's Eve in an effort to reduce drinking and driving, including Milwaukee and Austin. Los Angeles has been offering free bus and subway rides throughout the pandemic, and this policy will still be in effect during New Year's celebrations.

The pandemic has changed public transportation in many areas, including schedule and fare changes. Check with your local transportation authority to find out more about free holiday rides in your city.

2. Free Taxi Services

If your city doesn't offer free transit for New Year's, you may be able to find free cab service instead. While some city governments partner with local cab services to offer vouchers on New Year's, other programs are sponsored by the cab companies themselves. For example, Yellow Cab and Green-N-Go Cab of Corpus Christie, Texas, are making all rides home free on both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Check with your city government as well as with tax services in your areas to see what's available.

3. Sawaya Law Firm Free Cab Ride Program

Denver-based Sawaya Law Firm is committed to keeping Colorado roads safer for everyone. They offer reimbursements for cab rides taken on New Year's and several other major holidays. Anyone over age 21 can submit a taxi receipt and a copy of their valid ID to the Free Cab Ride Program, and Sawaya Law will reimburse up to $35 for a single, one-way ride. You'll have to pay upfront, but a check in the mail within three weeks will make your ride totally free if you're willing to wait!

4. Rideshare Coupon Codes

Never used a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber before? Perfect. Ask a friend who has an account to send you their personal promo code to get $15 to $30 off your first ride. If you're already a rideshare regular, send your promo code for an introductory free ride to a friend you plan to party with so they can use it for your whole group. 

You can also keep your eyes peeled for city-sponsored rideshare vouchers for New Year's. For example, The Colorado Department of Transportation is partnering with Uber to provide ride vouchers throughout the month of December. Likewise, Washington, D.C., area residents can get a Sober Ride voucher to cover their costs. 

5. Designated Driver 

If you have a friend or family member who is going out on New Year's Eve and who will definitely be sober, you can always ask them for a ride. Another alternative is to choose someone in your group to skip drinking and be in charge of driving at the end of the night. Many bartenders will comp that person's non-alcoholic drinks — and if you're lucky, snacks — to reward them for doing the right thing.

Remember, these free rides aren't your only options on New Year's Eve. You can also pay to catch a cab, Uber or Lyft, or even show up at your party in a discounted stretch limousine from SafeRides. If you plan to drive yourself, keep your skills sharp with a defensive driving course from Aceable. It's a great way to make sure your New Year gets off to a safe start!

Need a traffic ticket dismissed? Get your defensive driving course taken care of online today!

Find Your Course Now

Updated 12/21/2021