Me. Stat. tit. 29-A § 1675

Current through 131st (2023-2024) Legislature Chapter 684
Section 1675 - Driver requirements

A transportation network company must meet the following requirements with respect to drivers. [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]

1.Driver qualifications. Before allowing a driver to accept prearranged ride requests through a digital network, a transportation network company shall:
A. Require the individual to submit an application, which includes information regarding the individual's address, age, driver's license, driving history, registration of the personal vehicle, automobile liability insurance and any other information required by the transportation network company; [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
B. Conduct, or have a 3rd party conduct, a local and national criminal background check for each applicant that must include a review of:
(1) A multistate and multijurisdiction criminal records database or a commercial nationwide criminal records database; and
(2) The United States Department of Justice national sex offender registry database and the state sex offender registry database in the state that issued the individual's driver's license; and [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
C. Obtain and review a driving history report for the individual. [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]

[2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]

2.Grounds for disqualification. A transportation network company may not permit an individual to act as a driver if the individual:
A. Is not at least 19 years of age; [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
B. Has had more than 3 moving violations in the prior 3-year period or one major violation in the prior 3-year period, including, but not limited to, attempting to evade the police, reckless driving or driving on a suspended or revoked license; [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
C. Has been convicted, within the past 7 years, of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, fraud, a sexual offense, use of a motor vehicle to commit a felony, a crime involving property damage or theft, an act of violence or an act of terror; [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
D. Is a match in the national sex offender registry database or is required to register in the state that issued the individual's driver's license pursuant to that state's sex offender registration laws; [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
E. Does not possess a valid driver's license; [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
F. Does not possess proof of registration for the motor vehicle to be used to provide a prearranged ride; or [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
G. Does not possess proof of automobile liability insurance for the motor vehicle to be used to provide a prearranged ride. [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]

[2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]

3.Prohibition of drug or alcohol use. A transportation network company shall adopt and implement a policy regarding a driver's use of drugs or alcohol while accessing the transportation network company's digital network in accordance with this subsection.
A. The policy adopted under this subsection must prohibit the use of drugs or alcohol while a driver is providing a prearranged ride and address such use while a driver is logged into the digital network, but is not providing a prearranged ride. The transportation network company shall provide notice of the policy on its website, as well as procedures to report a complaint about a driver who the rider reasonably suspects was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the course of the prearranged ride. [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
B. Upon receipt of a rider complaint under paragraph A, the transportation network company shall immediately suspend the driver's access to the digital network and shall conduct an investigation into the reported incident. The suspension must last the duration of the investigation. [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]
C. A transportation network company shall maintain records relevant to the enforcement of its policy under this subsection for a period of at least 2 years from the date that a rider complaint is received by the transportation network company. [2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]

[2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]

4.Vehicle safety and emissions. A transportation network company shall require that any motor vehicle used by a driver to provide a prearranged ride meets any safety and emissions requirements of the state in which the vehicle is registered.

[2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]

5.No street hails. A transportation network company driver may not solicit or accept street hails.

[2015, c. 279, §2(NEW).]

29-A M.R.S. § 1675

Added by 2015, c. 279,§ 2, eff. 6/30/2015.