INDIANAPOLIS -- The city has issued an emergency suspension of the license of a cab driver accused of falling asleep behind the wheel.

Haile Ghebre Tensae, who drove for Indy Airport Taxi, was told Tuesday that he can no longer operate a cab after two separate complaints were lodged with the Department of Code Enforcement, 6News' Jack Rinehart reported.

"The cab driver, while providing transportation to a woman and her small child, fell asleep and veered into the opposite lane of traffic," said Licensing Administrator Adam Collins. "She had to shake him to wake him up."

Two days later, an out-of-town passenger reported that Tensae drove him the long way to his destination, stopped for gas and left the meter running.

"(Tensae) proceeded to get into a verbal altercation with the passenger in front of his destination, which was a wedding," Collins said.

Tensae must appear at a hearing next week to save his cab drivers license, which the Department of Code Enforcement is asking be permanently revoked.

Indy Airport Taxi officials declined to comment on the suspension.

The emergency suspension comes as part of a crackdown on taxi cab complaints after visitors to downtown ranked cab drivers as their No. 1 complaint in a recent survey, citing issues with drivers' failure to speak English and lack of directional knowledge, refusal of credit cards, overcharging, unsafe driving and poor vehicle condition.

Thirty percent of the cabs checked last month during a surprise inspection failed to pass, while another 100 drivers ignored a mandatory inspection that would have checked the accuracy of their taxi meters.

City officials have recommended license suspensions for those drivers as well.

"This is an area that deals with possible fraud upon the consumer," Collins said. "When you look at the fact that 15 to 20 percent of our taxis have failed to show up for an inspection, it's indicative of a deeper problem."

All cabs are now required to post a passenger bill of rights.

Cab customers who aren't satisfied with the service they receive are urged to call 317-327-TAXI or e-mail taxi@indy.gov with the cab number, their complaint and contact information.