Information Regarding Ridesharing Companies in the Charleston Area

July 23, 2014

CHARLESTON, SC – Recently new ride-share companies utilizing ridesharing smartphone apps have begun providing transportation service in the area. The State of South Carolina and the City of Charleston have prudent licensing requirements both for taxicab and limousine companies and for the drivers they employ.  These requirements are for the safety of the consumer. The new ride-share companies operating in the area do not have licenses from the State of South Carolina and the City of Charleston to operate here.

 

The state and city regulations require:

  1. Drivers obtain a chauffer’s license that requires a criminal background check and driver history report
  2. Confirmation of commercial liability insurance which would cover the rider in the vehicle
  3. Vehicles for hire to display the appropriate license plate which conveys that the vehicle is a vehicle for hire
  4. Current vehicle inspection
  5. A regulated fee structure.  On the City of Charleston peninsula, that includes a $5 charge for any licensed vehicle ride.

 

Riders utilizing the ridesharing companies are generally not provided these safety measures.

 

The laws state that: No person shall operate a limousine or taxicab until such vehicle has been registered in accordance with all of the requirements of the state and until all proper licenses, including a City of Charleston business license, if applicable, shall have been obtained therefore. Additionally, No person shall drive a taxicab or limousine within the city without first having obtained a chauffer’s license from the police department in accordance with Chapter 31, Article 4, Division 4, sections 31-122 through 31-129. Violating one of these laws is a fine up to $1097.00 and/or 30 days in jail.

 

The City of Charleston Police Department is seeking voluntary compliance before taking enforcement action.