Avoid illegal taxis in Dubai: How to identify official RTA taxis

Dubai: If you are trying to hail a taxi in a busy area during rush hour or are outside Terminal 1 at Dubai International Airport on your way to get a taxi, you may encounter individuals who approach you posing as taxi drivers, ready to drop you off at your location. While they might appear at the right time, it is important to pay close attention to the car and what the person is wearing, as they could be operating an illegal and unauthorised taxi.

To alert commuters about this, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) took to their social media accounts on Monday, April 7, advising that before boarding, passengers must check for certain features to confirm whether the vehicle is an official taxi.

Check these features before the ride:

• All Dubai public taxis have a coloured roof in one of the following colours: red, blue, green, yellow, orange, or pink.

• The taxi must have an RTA logo.

• The taxi driver must be wearing an official RTA uniform.

In addition, Dubai taxis are equipped with controlled meters, which must be visible to the customer. The RTA has also fitted the Dubai taxi fleet with surveillance cameras to monitor the conduct of taxi drivers. Unauthorized taxis do not have any of these features.

In 2024, as part of a crackdown launched by the RTA to curb illegal passenger transport services, at least 225 vehicles were impounded. Illegal transport operators carrying passengers or goods anywhere in Dubai face fines of up to Dh50,000 for corporate violators and Dh30,000 for individuals.

The most common areas for illegal transport are airports, where unlicensed operators target incoming passengers by offering much lower fares. During inspections, at least 90 vehicles were impounded at Terminals 1, 2, and 3 of Dubai Airports.

Similarly, the RTA impounded 49 vehicles in the Jebel Ali area, another hotspot for illegal passenger transport, where unlicensed taxi operators offer cheaper rides to low-income workers.

The RTA advised the public to avoid using illegal transport services, as they may not be safe. RTA teams regularly conduct inspections across Dubai to curb such activities, ensuring the safety of both residents and tourists.

How to hail a taxi in Dubai

Dubai’s taxis operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can either book a taxi through the official Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) S’hail or Careem apps or hail one from the street (taxis will only stop in safe areas).

Taxi fares in Dubai:

Through apps like Careem and S’hail

• Base Fare: Dh12

• Per KM Rate: Dh2.26

Street Hail

Daytime Base Fare: Dh5

Nighttime Base Fare: Dh5.5

At popular locations or events, such as New Year’s Eve or major exhibitions, a Dh20 surcharge may apply. This is part of the dynamic pricing policy by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), where the flag fall rate is higher during major events.

Airport Taxi

Base Fare: Dh25

Additional charges may apply during peak hours on ride-hailing apps when there are more ride requests than available taxis. You will be informed of any surcharge when booking online.

If you hail a taxi in Dubai and wish to travel to Sharjah, for example, an additional Dh20 charge will apply once the taxi enters Sharjah. This charge is also applied to other inter-emirate routes.