Traffic Laws for Rideshare Drivers in Oklahoma

Driving for a rideshare company (such as Uber or Lyft) in Oklahoma may look similar to ordinary driving, until you consider how much more time rideshare drivers spend behind the wheel and how much their job depends on a clean driving record.

A single traffic ticket, which may be a minor annoyance for the average driver, can threaten a rideshare driver’s insurance coverage, driving privileges, and ability to continue working with a driving platform.

Rideshare drivers log significantly more miles and hours than the average driver, increasing the chance of receiving a traffic citation.

For example, improperly stopping at a curb to look for a passenger, making an illegal U-turn to reposition, running a red light to arrive before a cancellation time, or following too closely while being in a busy pickup zone. None of these are unique traffic citations; however, they can be detrimental to a rideshare driver’s employment.

Rideshare drivers do not have an exclusive set of traffic rules. Oklahoma’s speeding, right-of-way, seatbelt, and cell phone laws all apply exactly as they would to any other driver. Oklahoma law actually specifies that rideshare driving is generally not treated as commercial driving.

Under Oklahoma Statute §47-11-1005, vehicles used for ridesharing that have a maximum seating capacity of fifteen people are not considered to be buses or taxis, and these drivers are not considered commercial operators. Therefore, Uber and Lyft drivers are under the same traffic rules as any other Oklahoma driver, rather than commercial or taxi drivers.

Oklahoma’s Transportation Network Company Services Act

In 2015, Oklahoma passed Senate Bill 436, creating the Transportation Network Company Services Act. Under this Act, Oklahoma regulates Uber, Lyft, and similar driving services using numerous regulatory processes.

It applies to companies that use smartphone apps to connect riders with drivers who use their personal vehicles for transport. These apps are known as “Transportation Network Companies,” or TNCs. This Act was later expanded to create additional requirements for rideshare drivers, including background checks, insurance, and driver’s license regulations.

The state of Oklahoma allows rideshare apps to set their internal regulations higher than Oklahoma law, but not lower, meaning that the regulations Oklahoma requires are the minimum requirements TNCs must follow.

Under the Transportation Network Company Services Act, Oklahoma requires TNCs to:

• Conduct background checks and restrict people from driving for a rideshare if they have committed certain types of crimes.
• Provide a photograph of the rideshare driver and their car’s license plate.
• Require that rideshare drivers keep their driving history fairly clean.
• Ensure that the rideshare driver’s vehicle meets Oklahoma’s safety standards.
• Require rideshare drivers to carry a personal auto insurance policy, in addition to the rideshare company carrying a company-wide liability insurance policy.

Insurance Involvement with Rideshare Drivers

The Transportation Network Company Services Act sets minimum insurance requirements for rideshare drivers. However, different levels of insurance can apply in different situations.

Why this matters: If a rideshare driver is involved in an accident, the context of the situation will determine which insurance policy they are eligible for–either their personal insurance (if the driver was not logged into a TNC app at the time) or the TNC’s company-wide coverage policy (if the driver was involved in an accident while driving for the company).

Keeping track of app statuses, trip records, and any relevant information involving an accident can matter just as much as a police report.

Driver Eligibility and Background Checks

Oklahoma enforces its own eligibility rules; therefore, if you are a rideshare driver, you must adhere to both Oklahoma’s requirements as well as any internal requirements that a TNC has. In Oklahoma, drivers must be at least 19 years old and have (at least) a fairly clean driving history.

Oklahoma treats rideshare compliance as an ongoing obligation, not a one-time event; Uber and Lyft operate the same way. A driver may initially pass a background check, but when it is checked again later on and there are records of traffic violations, this can threaten rideshare driving eligibility.

How Oklahoma’s Point System Affects Working with Rideshare Platforms

If you receive a traffic ticket and pay the fine (essentially pleading guilty), the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) will issue points onto your driving record; the number of points varies depending on the violation. If 10 points are accumulated during a five-year period, DPS will suspend your driver’s license, revoking your driving privileges.

Fortunately, points are not permanent and can typically be reduced/removed over time. In some situations, completing a defensive driving course can speed up the process. However, because TNCs regularly monitor driving records, they will notice any changes in your history.

Most TNCs will deactivate a driver who has more than three minor moving violations within a three-year period. Minor moving violations include lower-level speeding tickets, red light, or stop sign violations. Major moving violations, such as reckless driving or driving while suspended, typically have a zero-tolerance policy among rideshare platforms.

For some companies, a negative driving pattern, even without a serious incident, can be enough for them to deactivate a driver; some TNCs state that receiving several citations indicates unsafe driving, which can lead to deactivation.

Why It Matters How You Resolve a Traffic Ticket in Oklahoma

Simply paying a traffic ticket in Oklahoma generally results in a conviction on your driving record, which is how points are accumulated through DPS. These points are what appear on the periodic background checks that rideshare platforms conduct. However, some strategies help mitigate the impact of a traffic ticket.

First, consider contesting the ticket, rather than paying it. Reducing the charge, or having the ticket dismissed altogether, avoids both the points and the conviction that TNCs check for. If you choose to hire an attorney to help you through this process, completing a defensive driving course can also be beneficial.

It is important to keep track of any citations you receive and, if any of them are convictions, how many points have accumulated on your driving record. If your points are becoming too high, consider searching for ways to reduce them, or try to keep any new tickets off your driving record.

Point levels can also impact insurance rates; aiming to keep a low number of points can help maintain lower rates. Don’t automatically assume that a single traffic ticket will end your rideshare career. Typically, receiving one citation does not mean deactivation. However, it is important to be proactive immediately after receiving a ticket. Explore your options and find the best strategy to protect your driving history.

The Bottom Line

The rules of the road apply to regular drivers and rideshare drivers alike, but the Transportation Network Company Services Act adds specific requirements that rideshare drivers must adhere to.

Additionally, Oklahoma’s point system creates a way for TNCs to track rideshare driving behavior. Between the state’s point system and the independent policies of TNCs, Oklahoma rideshare drivers have a real reason to treat every traffic citation with care, rather than paying it and moving on.

Given the risks at stake, the cost of legal help to fight or mitigate an Oklahoma traffic citation is often outweighed by the cost of losing rideshare platform access altogether. To receive a free consultation for your traffic citation, simply upload a copy of your ticket to our website, or call us at (918) 947-9225.

This post is for general informational purposes and is not legal advice. If you have received a citation or been involved in an accident, consider consulting a licensed Oklahoma traffic attorney about your specific situation.