A Passenger Harassed or Threatened Me: What Can I Do?

Short answer: if you feel in danger, call 911. After that, report the passenger in three places: the app or base (so the rider's account is reviewed), TLC victim services at inclusion@tlc.nyc.gov (TLC helps drivers who face "verbal or physical attack"), and the police if there was a threat, a crime or hate. Save your dashcam video and trip details the same day. If you were hurt, start an injury claim within 30 days.

This page is for harassment, threats, insults and other abuse that happened during a trip. If you were physically attacked or robbed, use our step-by-step assault guide.

Where to report

Harassment that stops short of violence still counts. TLC's Driver Resources page offers help to drivers who face a verbal attack, not only a physical one. When the abuse is about your race, religion, national origin or another protected trait, TLC staff can help you take it to the NYPD as a possible hate crime and to the NYC Commission on Human Rights as discrimination. Say clearly in your email what was said and why you think it was bias. The full list of TLC victim services, including the Office of Victim Services, is in our assault guide.

Evidence: collect it before you forget

Your own dashcam can be strong proof of what was said — read dashcams in TLC vehicles for the rules. In a taxi, the installer of the in-vehicle camera must give the images to the driver on request; see how to get taxi camera footage.

What you may do in the moment — and what to avoid

• You may refuse a passenger who is disorderly or intoxicated before the trip (80-20(b)(9)). The rule warns that you must not refuse "solely because of behavior caused by a person's disability". See TLC service refusal rules.
• Don't answer threats with threats. TLC rules apply to drivers even when the passenger started it: 80-12(e) bans a licensee from threatening, harassing or abusing anyone ($350–$1,000 and/or a 5 to 30 day suspension, 3 points), and 80-12(f) bans using physical force ($500–$1,500 and/or 5 to 60 days, 4 points).
• Don't keep a weapon "just in case" — that is a revocation offense; see can TLC drivers carry a weapon.
• Taxis and green cabs: if a passenger refuses to pay, the rule is to go to the nearest police precinct and follow police instructions (80-17(b)).

If the passenger complains about you

A passenger who harassed you may also complain about you. A passenger complaint can become a TLC summons with a hearing at OATH. Your notes and video from the day are your defense, so keep them even if nothing happens for weeks. See how passenger complaints work and responding to a passenger complaint.

Take care of yourself afterwards

Abuse on the job can stay with you. The IDG Mental Health & Wellness Program, funded by the Black Car Fund, offers free counseling to drivers in eight languages (917-594-4898), and 988 is free and confidential for anyone (BCF). More options: mental health help for NYC drivers.

If you were physically hurt on a job from a Black Car Fund member base (including Uber and Lyft), report it to the Fund through its app or at 212-269-4800, press 1 (BCF FAQ). Other license types: hurt while driving: who pays.