Private Vehicle-for-Hire Operator Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not explain why this definition was needed or how enforcement will work, only that it clarifies the existing law.

Temporary Clarification for Private Vehicle-for-Hire Operators

This bill temporarily changes the definition of a private vehicle-for-hire operator in District law to specify that they must use digital dispatch from a company.

What This Bill Does

• Amends the Department of For-Hire Vehicles Establishment Act of 1985 on a temporary basis.
• Clarifies the legal definition of a 'private vehicle-for-hire operator'.
• States that an operator is someone who uses digital dispatch from a private vehicle-for-hire company to operate a motor vehicle for passengers.
• Sets the rule as if it started on March 1, 2024.
• Ends after being in effect for 225 days.

Who It Names or Affects

• Individuals who use digital dispatch from a private vehicle-for-hire company to operate motor vehicles for passengers

Terms To Know

Private vehicle-for-hire operator

An individual who uses the digital dispatch of a private vehicle-for-hire company to operate a motor vehicle to provide transportation to passengers.

Digital dispatch

The electronic system used by companies to assign rides or connect drivers with passengers, as referenced in the bill's definition.

Limits and Unknowns

• This change is temporary and expires after 225 days of taking effect.
• The bill does not take effect until approved by the Mayor (or if vetoed, overridden by the Council) and a 30-day congressional review period passes.

Official Summary Text

Private Vehicle-for-Hire Operator Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Current Bill Text

1

Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau

A BILL

_________________________

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

_________________________

To amend, on a temporary basis, the Department of For-Hire Vehicles Establishment Act of
1985 to clarify the definition of a private vehicle-for-hire operator.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
act may be cited as the “Private Vehicle-for-Hire Operator Clarification Temporary Amendment
Act of 2026”.
Sec. 2. Section 4(16C) of the Department of For-Hire Vehicles Establishment Act of
1985, effective March 25, 1986 (D.C. Law 6-97; D.C. Official Code § 50-301.03(16C)), is
amended to read as follows:
“(16C) “Private vehicle-for-hire operator” means an individual who utilizes the
digital dispatch of a private vehicle-for-hire company to operate a motor vehicle to provide
transportation to passengers.”.
Sec. 3. Applicability.
This act shall apply as of March 1, 2024.
Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.

2
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact
statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved
October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).
Sec. 5. Effective date.
(a) This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by
the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional
review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved
December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)).
(b) This act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.