2019 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 58 - Public Utilities, Services and Carriers
Chapter 23 - Motor Vehicle Carriers
Section 58-23-1640. Safety inspection of TNC vehicle; display of license plate number; violations; penalties.

(A) The TNC driver shall have a certified mechanic licensed in South Carolina conduct a safety inspection of a TNC vehicle within thirty days of the vehicle first providing TNC services.

(B) The TNC shall not permit a TNC driver to provide TNC services if the TNC vehicle does not pass a certified mechanics inspection as identified in this article.

(C) The TNC driver shall have periodic safety inspections of the TNC vehicle performed at intervals of at least once each year.

(D) The TNC shall maintain documentation of a TNC vehicle inspection for a period of three years.

(E) The vehicle inspection shall include an inspection of:

(1) foot brakes;

(2) emergency brakes;

(3) steering mechanism;

(4) windshield;

(5) rear window and other glass;

(6) windshield wipers;

(7) headlights;

(8) tail lights;

(9) turn indicator lights;

(10) stop lights;

(11) front seat adjustment mechanism;

(12) door capability to open, close, lock, and unlock;

(13) horn;

(14) speedometer;

(15) bumpers;

(16) muffler and exhaust system;

(17) tire condition including tread depth;

(18) interior and exterior rearview mirrors; and

(19) safety belts.

(F) A TNC vehicle must display a consistent and distinctive signage or emblem, which must be known as a trade dress, at all times when the TNC driver is active on the TNC digital platform or providing TNC service. The trade dress used by the TNC must be approved by the Office of Regulatory Staff before its use and:

(1) must be readable during daylight hours at a distance of fifty feet;

(2) must be reflective, illuminated, or otherwise patently visible so as to be seen in darkness; and

(3) may be magnetic or removable in nature.

(G) The Office of Regulatory Staff may conduct inspections of TNC vehicles.

(H) The vehicle inspection records must be provided to the Office of Regulatory Staff by the TNC upon request.

(I) At the time of a pick up of a TNC passenger, a TNC vehicle must display the vehicle's license plate number, which must be printed in a legible font of no less than two inches in height and displayed from the front of the TNC vehicle. The display of the license plate number shall not be required to be permanent and shall not be required to be issued or approved by a TNC or the State, including the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Office of Regulatory Staff.

(J) A person who misrepresents himself as an authorized TNC driver is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(K) A person who knowingly engages in the use of a TNC trade dress or a TNC ridesharing application in the furtherance of a criminal activity is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, imprisoned for not more than two years, or both.

HISTORY: 2015 Act No. 88 (H.3525), Section 1, eff June 24, 2015; 2019 Act No. 82 (H.4380), Section 1, eff June 15, 2019.

Effect of Amendment

2019 Act No. 82, Section 1, added (I), requiring TNC vehicles to display license plate numbers from the front; added (J), establishing a misdemeanor offense for misrepresenting oneself as an authorized TNC driver; and added (K), establishing a misdemeanor offense for knowingly using TNC trade dress or ridesharing applications in the furtherance of criminal activity.