DOJ Sues Lyft in $53m Disability Discrimination Lawsuit

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Lyft, alleging that the ride-hailing company and its drivers repeatedly denied transport to passengers with disabilities, including people travelling with service animals and foldable wheelchairs.

The lawsuit, filed on 9 November in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, seeks $53 million in compensation for individuals who allegedly experienced discrimination and previously submitted complaints to Lyft or the DOJ. The government is also seeking a court order requiring the company to change its policies, improve staff and driver training, and stop the alleged discriminatory practices.

The case centres on alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which prohibits discrimination by private transportation providers. Lyft said it disagreed with the DOJ’s allegations and had cooperated with the department’s investigation.

DOJ alleges repeated denial of accessible transport

The federal complaint alleges that Lyft and its drivers routinely refused rides to passengers with disabilities, particularly people travelling with service animals and those using stowable wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

The DOJ also alleges that some passengers were charged cancellation fees after drivers refused to provide the requested service. Such charges, according to the complaint, amounted to impermissible surcharges linked to disability-related service denials.

The government further claims that Lyft failed to make reasonable changes to its policies and operating practices. One example cited in the complaint involves drivers allegedly refusing requests from passengers with mobility impairments to sit in the front seat when necessary.

The filing also raises concerns about driver conduct, customer support and the company’s response to complaints. The DOJ alleges that some passengers were insulted or treated disrespectfully and that Lyft did not adequately train or monitor drivers to prevent discrimination.

These claims form part of the government’s broader allegation that the company failed to provide people with disabilities full and equal access to its transportation services.

What the lawsuit seeks from Lyft

In addition to the proposed $53 million in compensation for affected passengers, the DOJ is seeking injunctive relief requiring Lyft to change its practices.

The requested measures include stopping the alleged discrimination, modifying company policies and procedures to comply with the ADA, and providing appropriate training to employees and drivers. The government is also seeking a civil penalty.

The complaint states that the DOJ brought the case following a determination that there was reasonable cause to believe discrimination had occurred and that the alleged conduct raised an issue of general public importance.

The amount sought is not a final liability determination. Lyft will have the opportunity to contest the claims through the court process.

Lyft disputes allegations and points to existing policies

Lyft said it disagreed with the allegations in the federal lawsuit. The company stated that its policies require drivers to accommodate passengers travelling with service animals or using foldable mobility devices.

It added that drivers who breach these requirements face serious consequences, including permanent deactivation from the platform. Lyft also said it had cooperated with the Justice Department during its review.

The company’s latest quarterly filing had already disclosed that the DOJ notified it in September 2026 of alleged Title III ADA violations involving accessibility for passengers with disabilities. Lyft said it was cooperating with the department while seeking to resolve the matter, while disputing the allegations.

The filing also said the company intended to defend itself against claims of wrongdoing. The lawsuit now moves the dispute into federal court.

Lyft case follows similar federal action against Uber

The action against Lyft follows a comparable lawsuit filed by the DOJ against Uber Technologies in September 2025. That case also alleged discrimination against passengers with disabilities, including people using service animals and stowable wheelchairs.

The government sought $125 million in compensation in the Uber case, compared with $53 million in the Lyft action. Uber disputed the allegations.

The Uber case has progressed through the courts. The DOJ said a federal court denied Uber’s motion to dismiss the complaint in March 2026, allowing the case to continue. The ruling was not a final determination that Uber had violated the ADA.

The two cases indicate that the department is pursuing enforcement of disability-access requirements across major ride-hailing platforms.

Accessibility compliance becomes a business issue for ride-hailing platforms

The Lyft lawsuit highlights the operational responsibilities of app-based transport companies beyond matching passengers with drivers. Accessibility requirements can affect driver onboarding, training, customer-support procedures, complaint handling, cancellation policies and enforcement systems.

For platforms that rely on independent drivers, ensuring consistent compliance across a large and geographically dispersed network can be a significant operational challenge. However, the DOJ’s complaint argues that Lyft has the ability and responsibility to ensure that drivers using its platform do not discriminate against passengers.

The case also has implications for partnerships with healthcare providers and insurers, which use ride-hailing services to arrange transport for customers. The DOJ complaint notes that Lyft contracts with healthcare providers and insurance companies to provide transportation services.

The outcome could influence how ride-hailing companies review accessibility policies, driver accountability and complaint-resolution processes. For now, the allegations remain contested, and the court will determine whether Lyft violated federal disability law.

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