Beware of drivers offering their services without a TCP #. TCP = Transportation Charter-Party. It's California law for drivers that charge a fee outside of rideshare apps.
What's legal: giving your buddy $20 in gas or pizza to drive you to the airport.
What's illegal: charging strangers for transport anywhere.
Why care at all? Biggest issue is if an accident occurs, then NO ONE is covered by insurance (even if they have normal full-coverage car insurance). Why!? Because they're operating outside of the law and the claim will be denied, 100%.
Commercial insurance is MUCH more expensive than regular car insurance, which is why some less-than-honorable people shirk that cost and put everyone else at risk.
How do you know if a driver has a TCP #? It'll be in large bold letters on their front & rear bumper. Also, you can look up their status on California's CPUC site for TCP drivers here: https://tcportal.cpuc.ca.gov/TCP/s/
For example, mine is TCP: 47075-P
Hope this helps someone.
If you see a driver offering rides, ask for their TCP #. One told me he has one but doesn't display it due to the car wash.
My stickers stay on just fine, and I go through the car wash almost daily.
I promote competition, but illegally providing commercial services endangers everyone and emboldens law-breaking at all levels.
If there's no public display (stickers front and back) of a TCP #, then that's already a $1,000 fine, even if you have your legal #.
The real risk is in the case of an accident: if the driver has no commercial insurance, then there is no coverage for anyone due to it being an illegal activity. Not only that, they'll get their car towed, impounded, points and a huge fine from the CPUC.
There are legal operators for every budget in Santa Cruz; you just ask for their TCP # and you can verify it on the CPUC's site.
Another day, another illegal driver found. It's not a surprise to me, and the only shock to most is they probably don't even know how unprotected they are with whom they're currently riding over the hill.
Illegal actors are always going to be a thing due to CA having such expensive commercial insurance, due to it not enforcing road laws and insurance laws on uninsured and underinsured drivers. That delta creates an arbitrage opportunity for the less legally motivated.
It's not my place to name names publicly, as that's not who I am, nor do I want to become "that guy."
To the "under the table" drivers: just know that it's all unsustainable, and there's no such thing as a free lunch. Eventually the chickens come home to roost, and insurance won't cover illegal activities or the subsequent court costs.
Spend your time and your days living a life of integrity and build something you can be proud of. Even if it means making less profit, doing the right thing is seen not just by your customers, but by your creator (if you believe).
Be safe out there.