US-CaliforniaCan a taxi or rideshare driver refuse a fare in California?
Yes, taxi and rideshare drivers in California may refuse a fare only for lawful, nondiscriminatory reasons — such as safety concerns or vehicle capacity limits — but not based on race, disability, destination, or other protected characteristics.
What the Law Says
California law treats traditional taxis and app-based rideshare services differently but prohibits both from refusing service unlawfully.
For licensed taxicabs, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) makes it illegal to refuse a fare without 'reasonable cause.' This includes refusing passengers based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability — or because the passenger is traveling to a particular location within the driver’s normal operating area.
For Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) requires drivers to accept trips unless there’s a 'bona fide safety concern,' the rider violates TNC policies (e.g., intoxication or aggression), or the trip exceeds the vehicle’s seating capacity. Drivers may not decline solely due to destination, neighborhood, or perceived fare amount.
Both taxi and TNC drivers must accommodate riders with disabilities, including those using wheelchairs or service animals, unless doing so would violate safety regulations or fundamentally alter service.
Statutory TextNo taxicab driver shall refuse to transport any person seeking transportation in a taxicab, except for reasonable cause.
— Vehicle Code, s. 21500 — Refusal to transport
Statutory TextA transportation network company driver shall not decline a ride request based on the passenger’s race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability, or based on the passenger’s destination.
— Cal. Code Regs., tit. 13, §2845(a)(1) — Nondiscrimination
What Courts Have Said
Courts have reinforced that fare refusals based on protected characteristics violate state anti-discrimination laws.
The court held that a taxi driver’s refusal to pick up a Latino passenger near a border patrol checkpoint constituted unlawful racial discrimination under the Unruh Civil Rights Act.
The federal district court found that Uber’s failure to adequately train drivers on disability accommodations could support liability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and California’s Unruh Act.
What to Do
If you believe you were unlawfully refused a ride, document details: date, time, location, driver ID/license plate, and witness info.
File a complaint within 48 hours: with the CPUC for rideshares (cpuc.ca.gov/tnc) or local taxi commission for cabs.
For discrimination claims, also file with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) at calcivilrights.ca.gov.
Keep receipts, screenshots, or audio/video evidence if legally obtained and permitted under California consent laws.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.