Ride-hailing companies would provide trip verification and screen drivers

Ride-hailing companies would give riders a digital way to confirm that the company authorized their matched driver to take the trip. Verification would take place before the requested trip begins. Companies could offer riders an opt-out. Third-party bookings would be exempt. Trips would also be exempt when problems outside the company’s control prevent verification, including failed phones or insufficient cellular service. The Transportation Department would issue a final rule no sooner than 180 days after its proposed rule.

Ride-hailing companies would use the federal employment verification system to check prospective drivers’ immigration status and permission to work. Companies could contract only with U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, permanent residents, or other people authorized to work by the Department of Homeland Security. These checks would not, by themselves, classify drivers as employees under the cited federal labor law.

Companies would conduct local and national criminal background checks or hire a third party to conduct them. Checks would cover each driver and include the national public sex-offender website and a nationwide criminal-record database with validation. After initial consent, companies could keep monitoring criminal history and immigration status without obtaining consent again. States could require additional or more frequent checks. Checks would occur before account activation and once annually afterward.

Sellers would need a ride-hailing company’s authorization to sell or offer the covered signs for sale. The restriction would cover signs that help riders identify a ride-hailing vehicle and display a company’s trademark or logo, or claim to be that company’s signs. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce the restriction using its powers over unfair or deceptive business practices.