TRANSPORTATION NETWORK OPERATORS

TRANSPORTATION

NETWORK

OPERATORS

A Guide for TNC Drivers

in Maryland

Provided by the

Maryland Public Service Commission

What is a Transportation Network

Operator?

Also referred to as a TNO, is an individual

who has been issued a Transportation

Network Operator’s License or a Passenger

for Hire License by the Maryland Public

Service Commission and who provides

Transportation Network Service.

What is a Transportation Network

Company?

Also referred to as a TNC, is a company that

has been issued a permit by the

Commission and operates in the State of

Maryland using a digital network to connect

passengers to TNOs for Transportation

Network Services.

IMPORTANT: A TNO may not provide

Transportation Network Services, in the

state of Maryland, unless the TNO is

operating on a provisional basis (has

completed and successfully passed the

TNC’s background check process) or has

been issued a valid temporary or

permanent TNO license to provide

Transportation Network Services, as

defined by Maryland law. Unless waived by

the Commission, after December 15, 2016,

all TNOs will be required to provide a

fingerprint-supported state and FBI

background investigators record check.

To get started as a Transportation

Network Operator (TNO), you must:

 Possess a valid driver’s license;

 Be at least 18 years of age, and have

at least six months of licensed

(unrestricted) driving experience;

 Pass the TNC’s driver history check

and a criminal background check

that includes a check of state and

federal sex offender registries;

 Comply with all vehicle inspection

and insurance requirements of

Maryland law;

 Obtain TNC identification (trade

dress) from the TNC, which is

required to be displayed on your

vehicle whenever you are providing

services for the TNC and,

 Apply for a TNO License and vehicle

permit through a Maryland-

authorized TNC.

What about my vehicle?

A TNO Vehicle shall:

 Have a permit from the Commission

authorizing its operation;

 Have a manufacturer’s rated seating

capacity of no more than eight

passengers including the driver;

 Not exceed more than 10 model years

age, except as provided in the Code of

Maryland Regulations;

 Comply with all required insurance,

equipment and minimum safety

standards;

 At all times while engaged on the TNC

platform, display a TNC identification

conforming to the Code of Maryland

Regulations.

Note: A TNO whose application is pending

before the Commission is authorized to

operate their TNO vehicle on a provisional

basis until the Commission makes a decision

on the application.

Operating Requirements:

Never transport passengers unless the ride

was requested through the TNC’s app.

Street hails are not permitted.

Only accept payment of fares through the

TNC app.

Obey all traffic laws and only use the app in

a manner consistent with the law.

Comply with all applicable laws regarding

nondiscrimination against passengers or

potential passengers.

You must notify your TNC immediately if

you refuse to transport a passenger after

accepting the ride request.

Comply with all applicable laws relating to

accessibility.

Do not solicit an individual at Baltimore

Washington International/ Thurgood

Marshall Airport unless authorized.

Immediately notify each TNC for which you

drive of any event that may disqualify you

from service, including a change in your

vehicle’s registration status; the revocation,

cancellation, suspension, or restriction of

your driver’s license; a change in your

vehicle’s insurance coverage; a moving

violation; or a criminal arrest, plea or

conviction.

QUESTIONS?

For all questions please contact the

Transportation Division of the Maryland

Public Service Commission at 410-767-8128.

Please refer to the Public Utilities Article

Title 10 and the Code of Maryland

Regulations 20.95 for all laws and

regulations pertaining to “operating a

vehicle for hire” in Maryland.

Maryland Public Service Commission

William Donald Schaefer Tower

6 St. Paul Street

Baltimore, MD 21202-6806

Phone: (410) 767-8000

Toll Free: (800) 492-0474

MDRS (TTY/Voice): (800) 735-2258