California is introducing new requirements aimed at protecting young people who travel alone in taxis and rideshares. The California Public Utilities Commission requires drivers to pass a fingerprint background check if they are transporting an unaccompanied minor. According to TechCrunch, transportation companies will also be responsible for the cost of these background checks. Businesses have 30 days to comply with this policy.
The ruling will primarily affect Uber. Uber started rolling out teen accounts last year and added more safety features to accounts this year. Uber for Teens allows minors between the ages of 13 and 17 to take rides without a parent or guardian, but teens must have adult consent to use the app.
Uber has previously resisted fingerprinting drivers, arguing that the additional burden would discourage them from participating in the ride-sharing service and that its own safety measures are sufficient. In fact, this isn’t the first time Uber and California have clashed over fingerprinting. In this case, Uber also objects that paying for fingerprint background checks would lead to higher fares for unaccompanied minors using ride-sharing services.
