The U.S. Justice Department sued Lyft on Nov. 9, alleging that the ride-hailing company and its drivers routinely refuse rides to people with disabilities, including passengers who travel with service dogs or use stowable wheelchairs and other mobility devices, according to a department news release.
The lawsuit seeks $53 million for people with disabilities who say Lyft discriminated against them and who complained to Lyft or the Justice Department. It also asks the court to order changes to Lyft’s policies, require driver and staff training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and impose a civil penalty.
Lyft said it disagrees with the allegations. “We have long-standing policies requiring drivers to accommodate riders who travel with service animals or use foldable mobility devices, and drivers who violate these policies face serious consequences, including permanent deactivation,” the company said in a statement reported by Reuters. Lyft also said it cooperated with the department’s review.
What does the Justice Department allege?
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, says Lyft violated Title III of the ADA, which bars private transportation companies from discriminating based on disability. The department alleges that Lyft and its drivers:
- refuse service to riders with disabilities, including people with service animals;
- charge improper fees, such as cancellation fees, to riders who were unlawfully denied a ride; and
- fail to reasonably change policies when needed, including by denying people with mobility disabilities the option to sit in the front seat.
“Individuals with disabilities should be able to rely on rideshare services free of discrimination,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jesus A. Osete of the department’s Civil Rights Division. U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian of the Northern District of California said the office would devote the resources needed, “like our case against Uber for similar discriminatory conduct.”
These are allegations in a civil lawsuit. A court has not ruled on them.
How does this compare with the Uber lawsuit?
In September 2025, the Justice Department filed a similar lawsuit against Uber in the same federal court, seeking $125 million for riders who had faced discrimination and complained. That case also alleged improper fees, such as cleaning fees for service animal shedding, and said ride denials had caused riders with disabilities to face delays, miss appointments and be left stranded in bad weather.
Together, the two cases target two of the country’s biggest ride-hailing companies. Lyft “provides an important transportation option for millions of people throughout the United States,” the department said.
What are a rider’s rights with a service dog?
Under the ADA, a service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform a task directly related to a person’s disability, such as guiding a person who is blind. Dogs whose only role is comfort or emotional support do not qualify, according to the Justice Department’s ADA guidance.
When it is not obvious what a dog does, staff may ask only two questions: whether the dog is a service animal required because of a disability, and what work or task it has been trained to perform. They cannot ask about the person’s disability, require medical or training documents, or demand a demonstration. Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons to refuse service, and people with service animals cannot be charged fees that other customers do not pay.
What can riders with wheelchairs expect?
The department says the ADA requires Lyft to provide rides to, and assist, riders who use stowable wheelchairs and other mobility devices. The complaint also faults Lyft for denying some riders with mobility disabilities the option to sit in the front seat when needed.
For riders choosing equipment, a lighter folding wheelchair or travel scooter that stows easily in a trunk can make car trips simpler. Suppliers such as MedCare Mobility carry folding wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
What should you do if a driver refuses your ride?
- Write down the date, time, pickup location, driver name and trip details, and save screenshots of the app and any messages.
- Report the refusal to the company through its app and keep any reply, including whether you were charged a cancellation fee.
- File a civil rights complaint with the Justice Department at civilrights.justice.gov.
- Call the ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit ADA.gov with questions.
For more on disability benefits and work, see HNC’s guides to ABLE accounts and 2027 SSDI and SSI work rules.
Key Takeaways
- The Justice Department sued Lyft on Nov. 9 under Title III of the ADA.
- It alleges ride refusals to passengers with service dogs and wheelchairs, improper cancellation fees and denied front-seat requests.
- The suit seeks $53 million for affected riders, policy changes, ADA training and a civil penalty.
- Lyft said it disagrees with the allegations and has policies requiring drivers to accommodate riders.
- A similar 2025 lawsuit against Uber sought $125 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Justice Department suing Lyft?
The department alleges Lyft and its drivers refuse rides to people with disabilities, including service dog users and wheelchair users, in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
How much money does the lawsuit seek?
It seeks $53 million for people with disabilities who complained to Lyft or the Justice Department, plus a civil penalty and court-ordered policy changes.
Can a rideshare driver refuse a service dog?
Under the ADA, a trained service dog generally must be allowed. Allergies and fear of dogs are not valid reasons to refuse service. Emotional support animals are not service animals under the ADA.
Where can I report a refused ride?
Report it to the company and file a complaint at civilrights.justice.gov. The ADA Information Line is 800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264).
Sources: U.S. Department of Justice news release (Nov. 9, 2026); Justice Department Uber lawsuit release (Sept. 12, 2025); Lyft statement as reported by Reuters (Nov. 9, 2026); ADA Requirements: Service Animals; ADA service animal FAQs.
Photo: Three people sit with their service dogs during a service-dog placement ceremony. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicole Mickle, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
