DOJ Sues Lyft, Seeks $53M Over Denied Rides

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Justice Department has sued Lyft Inc. for allegedly discriminating against passengers with disabilities, including riders who use service animals and stowable wheelchairs, federal officials announced.

Read the U.S. Department of Justice release: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-lyft-denying-rides-passengers-service-dogs-wheelchairs

The lawsuit was filed on November 9, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, according to the release.

The department said Lyft provides an important transportation option for millions of people throughout the United States.

The lawsuit seeks $53 million for individuals with disabilities who submitted complaints to Lyft or to the Department, officials reported.

The allegations in the civil complaint are allegations, and the case has not been decided.

Service Animals, Stowable Wheelchairs, And The ADA

The lawsuit alleges Lyft violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits private transportation companies from discriminating based on disability, according to the release.

Under the ADA, Lyft is required to transport individuals with disabilities and their service animals, and to provide rides and assist riders with stowable wheelchairs and mobility devices, officials reported.

A service animal is a dog trained to perform a task related to a person's disability, according to the release.

Emotional support dogs are not service animals under the ADA, because providing emotional support is not a task related to a person's disability, officials reported.

Refused Rides, Cancellation Fees, And Front Seats

The complaint alleges Lyft and its drivers routinely refuse service to individuals with disabilities, according to the release.

The complaint also alleges Lyft imposes impermissible surcharges by charging fees such as cancellation fees to riders whom Lyft has unlawfully denied service, officials reported.

The department further alleges Lyft refuses to reasonably modify its policies, practices, or procedures where necessary to avoid discrimination, including by denying individuals with mobility disabilities the option to sit in the front seat when needed, according to the release.

"Individuals with disabilities should be able to rely on rideshare services free of discrimination," said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jesus A. Osete of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.

"We take these allegations of misconduct seriously and, like our case against Uber for similar discriminatory conduct, we will devote all the resources necessary to make things right," said U.S. Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California.

A Court Order, A Civil Penalty, And What Happens Next

The lawsuit seeks a court order to force Lyft to stop discriminating against individuals with disabilities, to modify its policies to comply with the ADA, and to train its staff and drivers on the ADA, officials reported.

In addition to the $53 million in monetary damages sought for aggrieved individuals, the lawsuit demands that Lyft pay a civil penalty, according to the release.

What happens next is litigation of the civil complaint in the Northern District of California.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of disability discrimination can report possible violations of federal civil rights laws at www.civilrights.justice.gov. For information on the ADA, the department's toll-free ADA Information Line is 800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264), or visit www.ada.gov.

Sources

U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, "Justice Department Sues Lyft for Denying Rides to Passengers with Service Dogs, Wheelchairs," November 9, 2026: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-lyft-denying-rides-passengers-service-dogs-wheelchairs