UAE

Rewards for top cabbies

Passengers encouraged to text in praises to motivate drivers

The National staff

September 29, 2012

  • English
  • Arabic

DUBAI // Transport officials want taxi passengers to not only file complaints against unscrupulous drivers, but also to highlight a good experience so deserving cabbies can be rewarded.

The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) has launched two programmes to raise the drivers' performance and improve customer service.

Commuters who are satisfied can send an SMS message to 6555 with the cab number to rate the service.

The ratings for each individual driver will be compiled and entered in to a conduct file.

Drivers will also have a chance to win cash prizes depending on the number of text messages.

They will then be graded as "excellent", "very good", "good" and "acceptable", based on the positive customer feedback, complaints, total income generated, income per kilometre, accidents, fines and black points.

"Text messages received from customers about cabbies will be listed electronically in a bid to showcase the dedicated and continuous efforts made by cabbies in serving customers," said a Roads and Transport Authority spokeswoman .

Raffle coupons will be distributed to taxi company owners and managers to give to drivers who display good conduct and earn points in general appearance, cab cleanliness, returning lost items and customer response.

Dh5,000 will be distributed among drivers who are registered for the draw every month.

The incentive-based motivation for drivers is based on a study conducted by DTC that found a monetary reward contributed to better service.

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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