How Florida Regulates Luxury Ground Transportation (Section 627.748 Explained)

Florida regulates prearranged ride services statewide under Section 627.748, Florida Statutes, the transportation network company (TNC) law. Luxury ground transportation companies that use a digital platform to prearrange rides fall under the same framework. Here is what the statute requires, in plain terms.

Insurance

The statute sets minimum insurance that must be in force whenever a driver is logged in or carrying a passenger: $1 million in death, bodily injury and property damage coverage while a passenger is in the vehicle, plus personal injury protection and uninsured motorist coverage as required. Riders should be able to ask for a certificate of insurance and get one.

Driver screening

Before a driver carries a single passenger, the company must obtain a local and national criminal background check and a driving history, and must reject drivers with specified disqualifying offenses. The checks must be repeated every three years, and the company must engage an independent CPA to examine its screening compliance.

Zero tolerance and complaints

Every TNC must publish a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use by drivers, and a procedure for riders to report a complaint. Summit's policy is published in our Terms of Service.

Independent contractor safe harbor

The statute also sets out when a driver is an independent contractor rather than an employee: the company does not prescribe log-on hours, does not bar the driver from working for other companies, does not restrict other occupations, and the parties agree in writing. Legitimate operators structure their contractor relationships around these four tests.

What to ask a luxury operator

If the answers are vague, keep looking.

• Can I see your certificate of insurance?
• How do you screen drivers, and how often?
• Where is your zero-tolerance policy published?
• Are your protection personnel licensed under Chapter 493?