For purposes of this article:

(1) "Transportation Network Company" or "TNC" means a person, corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity operating in this State that uses a digital network, platform, or Internet-enabled application to connect a passenger to a transportation network driver for the purpose of providing transportation for compensation using a vehicle. A transportation network company does not include transportation services provided pursuant to Articles 1 through 15, Chapter 23, Title 58, or arranging nonemergency medical transportation for individuals qualifying for Medicaid or Medicare pursuant to a contract with the State or a managed care organization.

(2) "Personal vehicle" means a vehicle that is used by a transportation network company driver in connection with providing a prearranged ride and is:

(a) owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the transportation network company driver; and

(b) not a taxi, charter bus, charter limousine, or for-hire vehicle.

(3) "Digital network" means any Internet-enabled application, software, website, or system offered or used by a TNC that enables the prearrangement of rides with transportation network company drivers.

(4) "Transportation Network Company driver" or "TNC driver" means a person who uses a vehicle to provide transportation service for passengers matched through a transportation network company's digital network.

(5) "Transportation Network Company insurance" or "TNC insurance" means an insurance policy that specifically covers a driver's use of a vehicle in connection with a transportation network company's digital network, platform, or Internet-enabled application.

(6) "Transportation Network Company passenger" or "TNC passenger" means a person for whom transportation is provided through a transportation network company's digital network. This includes a person for whom arrangements for transportation services using the transportation network company's digital network was arranged by someone other than the passenger.

(7) "Transportation Network Company service" or "TNC service" means a period of time when a transportation network company driver accepts a request arranged through the transportation network company's digital network and proceeds to the passenger location, continues while the transportation network company driver transports a requesting passenger in the transportation network company vehicle, and ends when the last requesting passenger exits the transportation network company vehicle.

(8) "Transportation Network Company vehicle" or "TNC vehicle" means a vehicle that is used by a TNC driver that has met the requirements of this article and has been approved by the TNC to provide transportation service arranged through a transportation network company digital platform. It must not have a manufacturer's rated seating capacity of more than eight passengers, including the driver.

(9) "Prearranged ride" means the provision of transportation by a transportation network company driver to a transportation network company rider, beginning when a driver accepts a ride requested by a rider through a digital network controlled by a transportation network company, continuing while the driver transports a requesting rider, and ending when the last requesting rider departs from the personal vehicle. A prearranged ride does not include shared expense carpool or vanpool arrangements, or transportation provided using a taxi, limousine, or other for-hire vehicle pursuant to a Class C certificate issued by the South Carolina Public Service Commission or pursuant to a license issued by the governing body of a county or city. A prearranged ride does not include services provided pursuant to Articles 1 through 15, Chapter 23, Title 58 or arranging nonemergency medical transportation for individuals qualifying for Medicaid or Medicare pursuant to a contract with the State or a managed care organization.

(10) "Transportation Network Company rider" or "rider" means an individual or individuals who use a transportation network company's digital network to connect with a transportation network driver who provides prearranged rides to the rider in the driver's personal vehicle between points chosen by the rider.

HISTORY: 2015 Act No. 88 (H.3525), Section 1, eff June 24, 2015.