A rideshare driver can refuse a passenger for many reasons. From guns to drugs and open containers of alcohol, it doesn’t have a place in a rideshare. However, an Uber driver landed in hot water for refusing a passenger a ride because she was ‘too big’ to fit in the car that he claimed would seat three. 

A viral video shows a passenger becoming irate after an Uber driver rejected her for a ride citing her weight in his Chevy Spark

It seemed like something from a silly television show. An Uber driver refused a ride to a passenger. His reason? She was ‘too big’ for his little red Chevrolet Spark hatchback. What’s more, the passenger reportedly sued after the event, claiming the Uber driver had overstepped in denying her a ride. 

“I just changed all my tires and my suspension last week,” the driver explained. “But I’m late for my flight,” she responded, gesturing to her rolling luggage. “Like three people can fit in there,” he said. 

She responded, “So you’re telling me three people can fit in here, but I can’t fit in here?” His momentary silence was deafening. However, he did respond with, “No, but not all people are created equal.” With time and distance, perhaps it wasn’t the best response. 

“It’s practically a motorcycle with four tires,” the Uber driver said of his tiny red hatchback. While that’s an oversimplification, the Spark is certainly a small ride. Despite his many attempts to explain his refusal to the passenger, her anger didn’t subside.  

The would-be passenger was disturbed at his rejection when he “Claimed I’d ruin his brake alignment.” Now, he is likely complaining about the possible impact on the alignment of his suspension and tires more so than the alignment of his brake rotors.

For instance, a thread on Bob Is The Oil Guy suggests that a motorist’s weight could adversely impact alignment and cause uneven tire wear depending on where the load sits in a car.