Uber and Lyft Are Officially Legal in Virginia

• February 18th 2015

by Lark Turner

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Ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft are officially legal in Virginia after Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed a law regulating both companies on Tuesday. Uber and Lyft, like similarly structured, online-based “networks” of providers (including Airbnb), have been accused of operating and amassing huge profits in a legal gray area.

The law, which passed committee in late January, calls services like Uber and Lyft “transportation network companies” (TNCs) and lays out steps for those companies to obtain licensing in Virginia. Drivers for the companies are required to undergo screening and the companies are subject to inspection by the state. The law also requires Uber and Lyft to pay for the privilege of operating in Virginia.

“I am proud to sign this legislation, which supports innovation in our transportation system while also protecting the safety of citizens across the Commonwealth,” McAuliffe said in a statement. “Virginia is leading the way on attracting and supporting innovative companies in every sector of our economy, and I am glad that the General Assembly was able to build upon the progress our administration made this summer in allowing TNCs to effectively and safely operate in Virginia.”

The move follows some contentious back-and-forth between the state and the services, which were ordered to stop operating last summer because they were not considered legal. In late summer, McAuliffe set up a temporary agreement that would allow the companies to operate until permanent legislation was passed.

This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.production.logicbrush.com/articles/blog/uber_and_lyft_are_officially_legal_in_virginia/9543.