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Brief: Columbus, Ohio Can Now Distribute Licenses to Uber Drivers

The rules took effect on Aug. 21, but city officials said they would not approve applications until the company’s license was finalized.

Uber drivers now can pick up a licenses in Columbus.

The city approved Uber Technologies’ application last night to become a licensed peer-to-peer transportation company, said Thom Ibinson, city license manager.

That paved the way to start distributing licenses to the company’s drivers today.

Drivers have been able to apply for licenses since July, when City Council approved new rules that require them. The rules took effect on Aug. 21, but city officials said they would not approve applications until the company’s license was finalized.

A pending application for Lyft, another app-based car service that launched in Columbus this year, has not been approved.

The two companies use smartphone apps to connect riders with drivers who use their own personal vehicles. Customers pay for the ride with a credit card registered in the app.

About 200 people have applied for peer-to-peer driver licenses, Ibinson said. The city only is distributing licenses to Uber drivers until it approves Lyft’s application.

The city plans to begin citing unlicensed drivers on Sept. 5, he said.

©2014 The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio)