Many drivers gave up last year when demand dried up, the company said. But demand now exceeds the supply of Uber drivers on call, the company said. In another perk, Uber has partnered with Walgreens to make it easier for drivers to get vaccinated. Driving professionally, however, may still be considered too risky by some. Last month, a woman was arrested on suspicion of pepper-spraying an Uber driver in San Francisco who was coughed at and insulted after he demanded a passenger wear a mask. Drivers may still be holding out to see if Uber will sweeten pay and benefits. Uber was forced to classify its drivers in the United Kingdom as workers last month, not self-employed, after a Supreme Court ruling there. The company said Monday it has begun a historical claims settlement for its U.K. drivers. Shares of Uber Technologies Inc. rose nearly 5% to $60.40 Monday.