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May 21, 2026

Massachusetts Drivers: Proposed Regulations May Impact Your Ability to Earn

Uber
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”) is considering extensive changes to its regulations that will impact your access to Uber Rides.

Massachusetts drivers already have to pass the most extensive ride share background check in the U.S.  Massachusetts is the only state that requires a two-part background check, the first screening done through Uber, and the second completed by DPU.  On top of that, drivers are screened at least every six months – more frequently than ride share drivers in any other state.

On April 24, DPU announced new rules that could make your background check longer, harder to pass, and more intrusive.  The process could take longer because it would add new steps and require even more information from you. Adding time to the process, every 6 months, could lead to loss of platform access, and therefore loss of earnings. DPU also wants more discretion to suspend you for any reason and then to limit your right to appeal their decisions.

Some of the proposed changes that will impact you are:

DPU wants a copy of every expired, temporary, or out of state license you have held since 2019.

  • DPU already collects 5 years of driver’s licenses –  already more than any other state. DPU seeks to increase this to 7 years. To keep driving for Uber, you will have to submit every license (including out-of-state,  expired, or temporary licenses) you have held since 2019. Because Massachusetts licenses renew every 5 years, 99% of drivers would fail this 7-year check today, meaning you could not work until you submit your old license for yet another check.¹

DPU wants to know where you were born.

  • For the first time, DPU will require Uber to record where you were born as part of your background check.² DPU has not explained why they need to know where you were born or what they plan to do with this information.

DPU wants to “consult”  “federal agencies” about you.

  • DPU wants  to “consult with any other appropriate agency, including… local, state, or federal agencies, to verify the authenticity and accuracy” of all documents and information provided by you.³ DPU has not disclosed which federal/state agencies they want to give your sensitive, personal information.

DPU Wants More “Discretion” to Suspend Drivers – Even for Reasons Outside of their Rules

  • DPU wants the  power to suspend or disqualify you for any reason (“any offense, violation, or condition”) “regardless” of “whether the reason is listed” in their regulations.⁴

DPU Wants to Take Away the Right to a Hearing For New Drivers. 

  • DPU wants to be able to deny any initial background check without giving you the right to a hearing. New drivers can only challenge DPU’s decisions at the agency’s “discretion.” ⁵

DPU wants all of your Social Security “documentation.”

  • Currently, your identity is protected because Uber provides the DPU only part of your Social Security Number (SSN). DPU wants Uber to collect your full SSN and “documentation,” and provide them with the full SSN for the first time, which could mean your SSN card or other extremely sensitive personal documents.⁶

DPU wants to add another step to the most extensive rideshare background check in the U.S. 

DPU wants to add additional costs to TNCs, who will increase fares to recoup new fees.

  • DPU wants Uber to pay for DPU’s  background check.⁸ This will cost millions annually, which means higher fares and could lead to fewer rides in Massachusetts, as costs keep rising across the board.

DPU wants to take away your rights to appeal deactivations.

  • Currently, drivers in Massachusetts have access to Uber’s  Deactivation Review Center, where you can have your account reviewed for up to one year after deactivation. Under DPU’s  proposed rules, drivers can submit appeals to Uber only in the 30 days following a deactivation.⁹

DPU wants to regulate surge.

  • DPU wants to regulate surge for the first time, lowering your potential earnings on fares. 

DPU will only allow you to rent electric vehicles starting next year.

  • DPU’s proposals include a mandate that, within one year,  100% of rental vehicles used for ride share must be electric.¹⁰ Massachusetts will be the only state that limits ride share drivers to renting only electric vehicles.  This will greatly reduce the variety and affordability of rental vehicles available to you.  

DPU Wants to Block Any Vehicle Subject to Recall. 

  • Nearly one in five cars in the U.S. has an open vehicle recall. DPU wants to block you from driving if your car has any open recall, including recalls that have no impact on the safety of your car (like a recall about errors  in an owner’s manual).¹¹

DPU Wants to Add  Mandatory Training. 

  • For the first time, DPU will require you to complete a safety education and professional driving program. This program must be done annually and it will  include road safety, dangerous driving, distracted driving, human trafficking, and de-escalation training.  

Stand up for Your Rights. Make Your voice heard.

Learn more about DPU’s  proposals, including how to attend a DPU public hearing and testify here: 

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/proposed-changes-to-tnc-regulations. 

If you want to testify about the new rules via Zoom, send an email by Friday, May 29, 2026, to dpu.efiling@mass.gov and zachary.caunter@mass.gov with your name, email address, and mailing address. 

Hearing information: 

References:

¹ Proposed Rule 274.06(2)(a).

² Proposed Rule 274.06(1)(c).

³ Proposed Rule 274.04(3)(c).

⁴ Proposed Rule 275.03(4),

⁵ Proposed Rule 276.04(3),

⁶ Proposed Rule 274.04(3)(a).

⁷ Proposed Rule 274.06(2)(c).

⁸ Proposed Rule 274.06(3)(f).

⁹ Proposed Rule 276.05(3).

¹⁰ Proposed Rule 277.03(1).

¹¹ Proposed Rule 274.08(9).

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