California Threatens Uber With Shut Down Of Self Driving Fleet

Uber of all companies should know how fast things move in the tech world. One day you’re grumbling about not being able to catch a cab and the next you’re ordering a ride from someone you’ve never met using your smartphone. Or, say, one day you launch a self-driving fleet of Volvo XC90s in San Francisco and hours later the state’s regulators tell you to shut the pilot program down or face the consequences. The AP reports that the California Department of Motor Vehicles sent Uber a letter saying it must get a permit for its autonomous cars.
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TomM - 12/15/2016 5:11:00 PM

+2 Boost

Uber remains a bone of contention in its intended space.
However - self driving Uber vehicles will still create a liability for their owners (I assume there will be places where Uber will franchise that to others). And that is where the problem starts. Your personal car insurance does not cover you - when you are using the car as a for hire vehicle. YOu need commercial car insurance for that - which in many states also means a "Taxi" drivers license as well. And that cost pretty much eliminates using the car for occasional paying passengers. Full time Taxi use is often regulated in larger cities - and the license to get is often really really expensive. BUT - as a potential passenger - I would not consider Uber - since I would need proof of commercial insurance before I enter one. THe story in NY is that one Uber driver got into an accident - which his regular car insurance refused to cover - and the driver lost everything he had - including his house - in the resulting law suit.