The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Lyft, seeking $53 million in relief for individuals with disabilities who submitted complaints to Lyft or the department about alleged discrimination by the ridesharing company.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses Lyft of violating Title III of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits private transportation companies from discriminating based on disability.
The Justice Department said Lyft routinely denies rides to individuals with disabilities, including passengers who use service animals or stowable mobility devices, such as wheelchairs.
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The Justice Department said Lyft charges fees — such as rider cancellation fees — after the company or its drivers unlawfully refuse service to disabled passengers.
Lyft is also accused of refusing to adjust practices or rules to prevent discrimination, such as not allowing riders with mobility disabilities the option to sit in the front seat when necessary.
Drivers have allegedly insulted or demeaned disabled riders, and customer service staff have allegedly asked “disrespectful” questions, according to the Justice Department.
“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,” Lyft said in a statement, adding that it has cooperated with the department during its review.
The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring Lyft to stop discriminating against individuals with disabilities, change its policies to comply with the ADA and train staff and drivers on the law.
In addition to the monetary damages to “compensate aggrieved individuals subjected to Lyft’s discrimination,” the Justice Department demands that Lyft pay a civil penalty to “vindicate the public’s interest in eliminating disability discrimination.”
“Our purpose in the Department of Justice is often to fight for what’s right on behalf of those who can’t fight for themselves. And there are few areas where the fight is more important than in ensuring equal access to transportation services for all Americans,” Attorney Craig H. Missakian for the Northern District of California said in a statement. “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.”
In September 2025, the Justice Department filed a similar suit against Uber, seeking $125 million for individuals who submitted complaints to Uber or the department, along with civil penalties and court orders requiring policy changes and ADA training.
The department alleges Uber drivers routinely denied rides to passengers with disabilities, specifically those with service animals or stowable wheelchairs, and charged cancellation and cleaning fees.
Uber has said it disagrees with the allegations.
In March, the federal judge denied Uber’s motion to dismiss the case.
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