Law Prohibiting Out-Of-State Uber Drivers Unlikely To Change Anything In OC; Enforcement A Major Challenge

OCEAN CITY — Despite changes in state law regarding the licensing of Uber drivers from out of state operating in Ocean City and across Maryland, the resort’s hands are somewhat tied in terms of enforcement.

At Monday’s Police Commission meeting, the issue of the growing number of out-of-state Uber drivers operating in Ocean City was broached and commission members learned despite changes in state licensing requirements, there is very little Ocean City Police can do in terms of enforcement. The General Assembly this year passed legislation requiring Uber drivers operating in Maryland to acquire a license from the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The license will be issued only after a thorough vetting by the PSC in terms of background checks and other requirements including proof in insurance, for example.

Ocean City Police Chief Ross Buzzuro said the licensing process is much more restrictive, but there was little language in the bill for stepped-up enforcement.

“This is more comprehensive than ever before,” he said. “The language is more restrictive than ever. It used to be up to Uber. Now, they have to go through the Public Service Commission.”

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