Uber, Lyft Drivers Don't Need Industrial License Plates, Says California DMV

Ride-sharing corporations such as Uber, Lyft will not require industrial license plates as the California Division of Motor Vehicles has revoked the requirement. Most of the Uber and Lyft drivers are regular Joes and Janes that have vehicles with standard plates only.

After outrage from the ride-share companies and their supporters, the DMV issued a press release at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday retracting its initial ruling, which was based on a 1935 law governing commercial plates. The agency said "there remains uncertainty" about the commercial license-plate requirement in light of the new statewide ride-sharing rules, reported San Jose Mercury News.

"We jumped the gun, and we shouldn't have," DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a statement. "The matter requires further review and analysis which the department is undertaking immediately."

Reportedly, the Division of Motor Vehicles will begin meeting with regulators and representatives of ride-sharing companies to reach the consensus.

Ride-for-hire companies Uber and Lyft argue that lawmakers and the California Public Utilities Commission already recognized their "transportation network business" as distinct from other commercial transportation businesses, such as taxicabs.

Uber and Lyft have reportedly declined to comment on Saturday.