DMV: Lyft, Uber Cars to Outnumber Taxis in Virginia

Drivers for Lyft, Uber and other ride-sharing companies could outnumber taxis in Virginia once the state begins regulating the industry, according to a draft report by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The Virginian-Pilot obtained a copy of the draft report, noting the rules mostly mirror those already imposed on Lyft and Uber through a temporary operating agreement that runs through February 2015.

Some stricter guidelines include banning drivers from working if they have had a DUI conviction within the past seven years, compared to the current guidelines that only go back three years.

The DMV report also recommends creating various fees for each vehicle registered to operate for ride-sharing companies as well as a $70,000 initial license fee for the companies themselves and a $3,000 annual renewal fee.

Revenue would go toward paying for three new full-time employees in the DMV’s law enforcement division who would help regulate the estimated 5,900 vehicles registered under ride-sharing companies in the state. That’s 500 more than the number of cabs currently operating in Virginia.

Image: Courtesy of Lyft