Virginia sets new rideshare safety rules

(The Center Square) – A change to how Virginia screens rideshare drivers will take effect this summer after Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed two bills tightening background check and identity requirements for companies such as Uber and Lyft.

The new rules take effect July 1 and apply to transportation network companies operating in the commonwealth.

House Bill 1469, patroned by Del. Lily Franklin, D-Montgomery County, expands how background checks are conducted by requiring drivers to disclose prior addresses so records can be reviewed across multiple jurisdictions. The bill cleared both the House and Senate without opposition.

Under Virginia law, rideshare companies must conduct background checks before approving drivers, including national criminal history searches and reviews of the sex offender registry.

HB1469 builds on those requirements by requiring background checks to include all prior addresses where a driver has lived since age 18 and by specifying that those checks are not limited to a set period of tim...