First Steps: Act Immediately
The window for recovering a lost item in a UAE taxi is short. Drivers complete multiple trips per shift and vehicles may be cleaned between shifts. The moment you realise something is missing, take the following steps:
- Check whether you paid by card - your bank or the taxi app will show the journey details.
- If you used Careem or Uber, open the app immediately and use the "Lost an item" feature in your ride history.
- If you used an RTA Dubai taxi, call 800-9090 as soon as possible.
- Note down the approximate time, pickup location, and destination of your journey - you will need these when reporting.
- If you noted the taxi number or license plate, have it ready.
Dubai RTA Taxi Lost and Found
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) operates a centralised lost and found service for all RTA-licensed taxis. Drivers are required to hand in found items at designated points.
Dubai RTA Lost and Found Contact
Hotline: 800-9090 (toll-free, Dubai)
Also accessible via the RTA app or Dubai Now app under "Lost and Found." In-person: RTA Customer Happiness Centres across Dubai.
When you call, have the following ready: the date and time of your journey, your pickup and drop-off locations, the taxi plate number if you noted it, and a description of the lost item. The operator will log the report and contact you if the item is turned in.
Abu Dhabi Taxi Lost and Found
Abu Dhabi taxi services are operated by TransAD, which is regulated by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT). Abu Dhabi taxis are cream-coloured with a gold stripe.
Abu Dhabi TransAD Contact
Customer Service: 600-535353
Also contact Abu Dhabi DMT through their official website. Have your journey details ready when you call.
Lost Items in Careem or Uber
App-based rides have an advantage: the driver's name, vehicle, and route are logged automatically in the app. Recovery is often faster than with anonymous metered taxis.
Careem: Open the app, go to your ride history, select the relevant trip, and tap "Lose something?" Careem connects you with the driver or escalates to their support team if the driver does not respond.
Uber: Open the app, go to trip history, select the trip, and choose "I lost an item." You will be given the option to call the driver directly (the number is masked for privacy) or to contact support. Act as quickly as possible - drivers frequently go offline between trips.
Sharjah and Other Emirates
For taxis in Sharjah, contact the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) customer service. For Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, or Fujairah taxis, contact the respective emirate transport authority. Response times and procedures vary between emirates - Sharjah and Ajman have smaller fleets which can sometimes make tracing easier.
How Private Chauffeur Travel Reduces the Risk
The fundamental difficulty with anonymous metered taxi recovery is that you may not know which vehicle you were in. With a booked private chauffeur, you have the driver's name, the booking reference, and a direct contact - and the driver has yours.
If you leave something in a Gulf Chauffeur vehicle, the driver contacts you directly. There is no anonymous lost property system to navigate - just a direct conversation with the person who drove you.