The Vehicl e-for-Hire Innovation Act s Public Safety,

Consumer Protection, and Anti-Discrimination Safeguards

The Vehicle-for-Hire Innovation Act would create a permanent legal framework for private vehicle-
for-hire services such as uberX. The legislation builds on the emergency law that the Council
overwhelmingly passed in September 2013 authorizing these services on a temporary basis. It
contains dozens of public safety, consumer protection, and anti-discrimination safeguards, many of
which far exceed the D. C. Taxicab Commission s (DCTC) regul atory requirements for
taxi service. The following chart provides a side-by-side comparison of how these services would
be regulated in key areas if the Council enacts this legislation.



Private Vehicle-for-Hire
Service

Taxi Service
Driver Screening

A prospective private vehicle-
for-hire driver cannot provide
service if the individual has
been convicted of a serious
crime within the l ast seven
years.


A prospective taxi driver
cannot provide service if the
individual has been convicted
of a serious crime within the
l ast three years.
Insurance

Private vehicle-for-hire
companies must carry
insurance policies that provide
at least $1 million of
coverage when a driver is on a
private vehicle-for-hire trip.



Taxi drivers must carry
insurance policies that provide
at least $50, 000 of coverage.
Vehicl e Safety Inspections

Private vehicle-for-hire
vehicles must pass safety
inspections on an annual
basis.


Taxis must pass safety
inspections on an annual
basis.
1

Fare Transparency

Private vehicle-for-hire
companies must review al l
customer compl aints
regarding fares that exceed an
estimated fare by 20% or $25
(whichever is less).


There is no comparabl e
requirement for taxi
companies.

1
The Vehicle-for-Hire Innovation Act will amend current law to change this from a bi-annual to an
annual inspection.
Washington, DC


Private Vehicle-for-Hire
Service

Taxi Service
Anti-Discrimination

Private vehicle-for-hire
companies are required to
impl ement a zero tol erance
pol icy under which they must
proactively deactivate from
their platform any driver who
is accused of discriminatory
conduct, including
discrimination against
individuals with disabilities,
pending the results of an
investigation.



There is no comparabl e zero
tolerance policy
requirement for taxi
companies.
Public Safety

Private vehicle-for-hire
companies are required to
impl ement a zero tol erance
pol icy under which they must
proactively deactivate from
their platform any driver who
is suspected of driving under
the influence of illegal drugs or
alcohol pending the results of
an investigation.



There is no comparabl e zero
tol erance pol icy
requirement for taxi
companies.
DCTC Enforcement
Authority

DCTC will have the authority to:
- Levy fines against private
vehicle-for-hire drivers and
companies;
- Conduct traffic stops of
private vehicle-for-hire
drivers when its hack
inspectors suspect non-
compliance;
- Inspect and copy a private
vehicle-for-hire companys
records when they have a
reason to suspect non-
compliance; and
- Investigate complaints of
driver misconduct and
conduct hearings.




DCTC has similar enforcement
authority over taxi companies
and drivers.


Private Vehicle-for-Hire
Service

Taxi Service
Registration

All private vehicle-for-hire
companies must successfully
complete a registration process
with DCTC, which includes
submitting proof to DCTC that
the company is in compliance
with the law.



Taxicab companies must
complete a registration process
and obtain a Certificate of
Operating Authority.
Surcharge/
Fees

Private vehicle-for-hire
companies must deposit in the
Public Vehicles-for-Hire
Consumer Service Fund 1% of
their gross receipts for all
trips that originate in the
District. These monies are used
to fund DCTC (in lieu of tax
revenue from District residents)
and subsidize the purchase of
wheelchair-accessible for-hire
vehicles.


Taxi companies collect a per-
trip $. 25 surcharge from
passengers that they then
deposit in the Public Vehicles-
for-Hire Consumer Service
Fund.
Street Hail s

Private vehicle-for-hire drivers
may only accept fares through
a digital dispatch (e.g., a
request generated through a
smartphone app). There are
inherent transparency
safeguards with digital
dispatches, such as being able
to view the drivers rating and
receiving an estimated fare
beforehand.

Taxis may accept fares through
a street hail (passenger waving
a taxi down on the street) or
through a digital dispatch.