New Mass. rideshare safety rules would boost driver background checks and more

Rideshare drivers would face more rigorous background checks and riders would get more ways to verify they’re in the right car under new rules proposed by Massachusetts regulators that they say would lead the nation for passenger and driver protection.

Other requirements under the Department of Public Utility’s proposal include children under 16 needing to be accompanied by an adult in a rideshare, annual driver training for things like safe driving and helping riders with disabilities and regular checks for whether rideshare vehicles have been recalled by their manufacturer, the agency said Friday.

Get more detail on the proposal here.

“Massachusetts has the opportunity to set the standard for safety and oversight of the [Transportation Network Companies] industry with these updated regulations,” said DPU Chair Jeremy McDiarmid in a statement. “The proposed changes reflect our top line goal of promoting passenger safety and ensuring driver fairness and dignity in the background check process.”

Uber and Lyft are among the five rideshare companies, which the DPU calls Transportation Network Companies, currently authorized to work in Massachusetts; more than 104,000 drivers are currently certified in the state, according to the agency.

The DPU already conducts background checks — it says it’s conducted more than 800,000 since 2017 — and issues civil penalties to the companies if they’re not in compliance with state law.

With the publication of the enhanced regulations, the public — including drivers and other stakeholders — have until July 2 to give feedback in writing, and the DPU will hold two hearings as well. Details on how to give feedback are available here.