Uber has 30 days to require some drivers to get fingerprinted if it wants to keep transporting unaccompanied teens in California.
Recently, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ruled that all taxi and ride-hail drivers transporting minors must pass a fingerprint background check. The companies must also pay for the checks.
Uber has resisted fingerprint checks for years. In 2017, Uber and Lyft blocked a similar proposal in California. Uber argues that its current background checks are enough and that fingerprinting could discourage drivers, especially minorities, from joining.
However, the CPUC stressed that safety for minors is the top priority. “Adults providing services to minors are in a position of trust and responsibility,” the decision stated. Without fingerprint checks, minors could face dangerous situations.
Uber started offering rides for teens aged 13 to 17 in February 2024. In response, the CPUC warned Uber to pause the service until background check rules were clearer. Uber asked for clarification in March, questioning if the rules applied since fewer than 10% of its rides involve minors.
A key issue is whether Uber should join the Trustline program. Trustline uses fingerprinting to screen caregivers and checks for arrests, convictions, and child abuse reports. The California Supreme Court recently upheld that Uber and Lyft drivers remain independent contractors.
Uber says its name-based background checks through Checkr and safety features like live trip tracking in Uber for Teens are enough to keep riders safe. The company also states that only its most experienced and highly rated drivers are assigned to teen riders.
However, Uber has faced criticism for not doing enough to protect passengers from dangerous situations, including child trafficking. In July, two families in South Carolina sued Uber, alleging that the company allowed their teenage daughters to be taken across state lines, where one of the girls was sexually assaulted.
In contrast, HopSkipDrive, a startup offering ride-sharing services for children, supports the ruling. HopSkipDrive refers to its drivers as “CareDrivers,” all of whom have caregiving experience and undergo a 15-point certification process, including fingerprint-based background checks. The company also uses telematics to monitor driving behavior and provides real-time ride tracking, with a dedicated team overseeing each ride.
The CPUC’s ruling also requires transportation companies to:
- Implement live trip tracking for parents.
- Establish safety procedures at pickup and drop-off locations.
- Provide driver training specifically for transporting unaccompanied minors.
Additionally, companies are responsible for covering the costs of these fingerprint background checks. Uber has argued against this requirement, suggesting that the expense could lead to higher prices for the Uber for Teens service. However, the CPUC noted that smaller companies like HopSkipDrive already cover these costs, implying that Uber should be able to do the same.
