Transportation Network Company Driver Deactivation Rights Ordinance
UPDATE: The Transportation Network Company (TNC) Driver Deactivation Rights Ordinance is effective July 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022. The ordinance applies to TNC companies such as Uber and Lyft, and it:
- Protects drivers from unwarranted deactivation from a TNC's platform.
- Grants a right to challenge unwarranted deactivations before a neutral arbitrator ("Deactivation Appeals Panel process").
- Creates of a first-in-the-nation Driver Resolution Center (DRC) to provide drivers with culturally competent outreach and education as well as fee-free skilled representation in deactivation disputes.
Beginning on January 1, 2023, the TNC Driver Deactivation Rights Ordinance will no longer apply to TNCs such as Uber and Lyft due to Washington State House Bill 2076, which establishes new statewide requirements concerning TNCs. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) is responsible for enforcing these new requirements. Many of the statewide TNC driver protections take effect January 1, 2023. For more information, go to L&I’s TNC Drivers’ Rights page.
OLS has released a number of resources, such as required notices, templates and forms to help drivers and companies understand the Deactivation Appeals Process and comply with the notice requirements of the law. These are available on the Deactivation Appeals Panel page.
(UPDATED) Help for Drivers: If you are a TNC driver and are looking for information about your rights or if you have been deactivated and are looking for help about your options/next steps, the Driver Resolution Center (DRC) may be able to assist. The City of Seattle has contracted with Drivers Union through December 31, 2022 to provide support and services to TNC drivers. Services include free consultation and representation in deactivation disputes, and outreach and education about Seattle labor standards. Drivers do not need to be union members to access DRC services. Drivers Union also provides free in-language services for drivers whose primary language is not English, such as interpreters and information written in other languages.
Driver Resolution Center c/o Drivers Union
Email: support@driversunionwa.org
Phone: (206) 812-0829
Website: https://www.driversunionwa.org/deactivation
L&I has contracted with Drivers Union to operate a Driver Resource Center for drivers statewide that is available beyond December 31, 2022. For more information, go to L&I’s TNC Drivers’ Rights page.