If a taxi ride in the UAE goes badly — the driver takes a suspiciously long detour, the meter looks wrong, or the driver’s behaviour makes you feel unsafe — you don’t have to just let it go. Knowing how to submit a taxi complaint the right way means your report reaches the authority that can actually act on it, whether that is the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai or the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) in Abu Dhabi.
This guide walks you through what counts as a complaint, what details to collect before you file, and the exact channels each emirate provides. It applies to regular metered taxis, airport taxis, and rides booked through the official taxi apps. Filing takes only a few minutes, and complaints are one of the main ways transport authorities keep service standards in check.
Quick Answer
To submit a taxi complaint in the UAE, contact the transport authority of the emirate where the trip took place. In Dubai, call the RTA customer happiness centre on 8009090 or file through the RTA website or RTA app. In Abu Dhabi, call the ITC on 80088888 or use the TAMM portal. Keep your taxi receipt, the car’s plate or side number, and the trip date and time ready — these details help investigators identify the driver and vehicle quickly.
What Counts as a Taxi Complaint
A complaint is a formal report about a service failure or misconduct during a taxi trip. Common examples include:
- The driver took a longer route than necessary or refused to follow your directions
- The meter was tampered with, not switched on, or the fare charged did not match the meter
- The driver refused a short trip or refused to take you at all
- Rude, aggressive or unsafe driving behaviour
- The vehicle was dirty, poorly maintained or had no working air conditioning
- You were overcharged or charged for a service you did not receive
Not every bad experience needs a formal complaint. If the issue is really a service glitch — for example, the app assigned the wrong pickup point — it is usually faster to report a taxi problem through the taxi company’s own support channel first. A formal complaint to the transport authority is best for driver misconduct, fare disputes and safety concerns, where you want an official record and a possible penalty for the driver.
For broader disputes about services in the UAE beyond transport, the country’s consumer protection laws explain your general rights as a customer, though taxi-specific complaints go to the transport authorities described below.
What to Prepare Before You File
Authorities can only act on complaints they can investigate. Before filing, gather as much of the following as possible:
- Taxi details: the car’s plate number, or the taxi number displayed on the side of the vehicle
- Trip receipt: the printed or app receipt showing the fare, trip time and taxi number — if the driver did not give you one, read how to get a taxi receipt first
- Date and time: when the trip started (and ended, if relevant)
- Route: pickup point and destination, plus where the problem happened
- Description: a clear, factual account of what the driver did — avoid guesses about motives
- Evidence: photos, screenshots from a ride-hailing app, or dashcam-style footage if you have it
The more precise your details, the faster the authority can match your complaint to the right driver and trip. Even without a receipt, a complaint can still be filed — the date, time and route are often enough for investigators to narrow it down.
How to Submit a Taxi Complaint in Dubai
Dubai’s taxi network is regulated by the RTA, which runs a dedicated complaints process for taxi passengers. You have several channels:
1. Call the RTA on 8009090
The RTA customer happiness centre (8009090) handles taxi complaints around the clock. An agent will take your details — the taxi number, trip time and a description of the incident — and give you a complaint reference number. Keep this number: you will need it to follow up.
2. File online through the RTA website or app
The RTA website has a feedback and complaints section where you can submit a taxi complaint in writing, attaching photos or documents if you have them. The RTA app offers the same option and is useful if you want to file while the details are fresh.
3. Complain through the taxi company
If you travelled with one of Dubai’s franchise taxi companies (such as Dubai Taxi, Metro Taxi or Cars Taxi), you can also complain directly to the company. Company-level complaints can be faster for minor issues, but for serious misconduct — fare manipulation, unsafe driving — the RTA route creates an official record with the regulator.
Before filing, it helps to know what drivers are actually allowed and not allowed to do — see the taxi rules passengers should know so your complaint cites a genuine rule breach rather than a misunderstanding.
How to Submit a Taxi Complaint in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi’s taxis are regulated by the Integrated Transport Centre (ITC). The process is similar to Dubai’s:
- Call the ITC: the ITC call centre on 80088888 takes taxi complaints, operating daily.
- File online: complaints can be submitted through the TAMM portal, Abu Dhabi’s official government services platform, or through the ITC’s own service channels.
- Direct to the operator: Abu Dhabi’s taxi fleet is run by licensed operators (such as TransAD-affiliated companies), and their customer service desks accept complaints as well — but the ITC is the regulator, so complaints filed there carry more weight.
How to Submit a Taxi Complaint in Other Emirates
Each emirate has its own transport authority, and complaints should always go to the authority where the trip happened — not where you live:
- Sharjah: the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) handles taxi complaints for trips in Sharjah — check the SRTA website for current complaint channels.
- Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain: each emirate’s transport authority or municipality manages its taxi fleet. The emirate’s official government portal is the right place to find the complaint channel.
- Trips crossing emirates: file with the authority of the emirate where the trip started, and mention that the trip crossed into another emirate.
The u.ae portal, the UAE government’s official site, also links out to public transport services and complaint channels across the emirates if you are unsure which authority to contact.
What Happens After You Submit a Complaint
Once filed, your complaint typically goes through these stages:
- Acknowledgement: you receive a complaint reference number — by SMS, email or on the call.
- Investigation: the authority identifies the driver and vehicle from your trip details and reviews the case, which can include checking the vehicle’s trip records or GPS data.
- Action: if the complaint is upheld, the driver or operator can face warnings, fines or other penalties under the emirate’s transport rules.
- Resolution: you are notified of the outcome, typically within a few working days — check the official portal for current timelines.
If the driver was speeding or driving recklessly, that behaviour can also be penalised separately under the UAE’s traffic fines system, which is one reason authorities take driving complaints seriously.
After filing, you can track your case’s progress — see how to check taxi complaint status to follow your reference number through each stage.
Tips for a Strong, Effective Complaint
- File quickly. The sooner you report, the easier it is for the authority to pull the trip’s records and identify the driver.
- Stick to facts. Describe what happened — route taken, fare shown, exact words used — rather than interpreting the driver’s intentions.
- Keep your reference number. Every follow-up, including status checks and escalation, starts with it.
- Be specific about what you want. If you were overcharged, say so and state the amount; if you want the incident on record for safety, say that.
- Don’t exaggerate. False or inflated claims can be dismissed and may affect the credibility of genuine complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I submit a taxi complaint without a receipt?
Yes. A receipt makes the investigation faster, but a complaint can still be filed with the taxi number (or plate number), the date and time of the trip, and the pickup and drop-off points. Investigators can usually match these details to the vehicle’s trip records.
How long does a taxi complaint take to resolve?
Most straightforward complaints are resolved within a few working days, though complex cases involving fare disputes or disputed facts can take longer. You will be notified of the outcome once the investigation is complete.
Will I get a refund if I was overcharged?
If the investigation confirms overcharging, authorities can order the operator to refund the excess. Keep your receipt and note the exact amounts — both what the meter showed and what you paid.
Can tourists file taxi complaints in the UAE?
Yes. The complaint channels are open to everyone, including tourists. You will need the trip details, and the complaint reference number works the same way regardless of residency.
Should I complain to the taxi company or the transport authority?
For minor service issues — a booking glitch or a miscommunication — the taxi company’s own support is usually faster. For fare disputes, driver misconduct or safety concerns, file with the transport authority (RTA in Dubai, ITC in Abu Dhabi) so there is an official regulatory record.
What if I left an item in the taxi during a bad trip?
File the complaint about the trip separately, and follow the standard lost-item process — read what to do if you leave something in a taxi for the recovery steps.
The Bottom Line
Submitting a taxi complaint in the UAE is straightforward once you know the right channel: the RTA’s 8009090 line or online services in Dubai, the ITC’s 80088888 line or TAMM portal in Abu Dhabi, and each emirate’s transport authority elsewhere. Collect your trip details — taxi number, receipt, date, time and route — file factually, and keep your reference number for follow-up. Complaints take only minutes to file, and they are one of the main tools keeping UAE taxi standards as high as they are.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.