Uber and Lyft Cool In Shreveport, Not Necessarily in Bossier City
If you're thinking about driving for Uber when they come to the Ark-La-Tex, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. According to Uber's web site:
- You must be 21 years of age or older with at least 3 years driving experience.
- Of course, you'll need a Louisiana Driver’s License.
- You must have a Social Security Number for a background check.
- You must have Louisiana car insurance in your name.
- Your car must be legally registered in Louisiana. It doesn't have to be in your name.
- You'll have to pass a background check, so make sure in the past 7 years you haven't had a DUI or drug-related offense, a history of reckless driving, etc.
There are also requirements for your vehicle:
- You must have a 4-door sedan, that seats 4 or more passengers not including the driver.
- It must be a 2001 model or newer, so no beaters allowed.
- You'll need Louisiana plates.
- You can't have a marked, taxi, or salvaged vehicle.
- And your car must pass an Uber vehicle inspection.
The City Of Shreveport just passed an ordinance allowing companies like Uber and Lyft to operate within the city limits. These companies are called transportation network companies, or TNC's. To be allowed to drive for a TNC in Shreveport you have to get a permit from the chief of police and you'll have to pay a permit fee of $2,500 annually.
Bossier City currently has no ordinances governing TNC's, so there's a gray area there. The city could decide to honor permits drivers receive from the City Of Shreveport or not. Our guess is that by the time Uber begins operating in the Ark-La-Tex, Bossier and neighboring cities will have something in place like the City Of Shreveport.