US-CaliforniaIs a rideshare company like Uber considered a common carrier?
Yes, in California, rideshare companies like Uber are considered common carriers under state law and owe passengers the highest duty of care.
What the Law Says
California law defines common carriers broadly and explicitly includes transportation network companies (TNCs) like Uber and Lyft under this category, subjecting them to the highest standard of care.
Under California Civil Code §2100, 'A carrier of persons for reward must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.' This duty applies to all common carriers — not just buses or trains, but any entity holding itself out to the public to transport people for compensation.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and courts have confirmed that Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) — defined in the California Vehicle Code §5400(a) as 'an organization that uses an online-enabled application or platform to connect riders with drivers using personal vehicles' — are regulated as common carriers. The Legislature made this explicit when it enacted the TNC law in 2013 (AB 2293), affirming that TNCs 'shall be deemed common carriers' for purposes of liability and regulation.
Statutory TextA carrier of persons for reward must use the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, must provide everything necessary for that purpose, and must exercise to that end a reasonable degree of skill.
— Civil Code §2100 — Duty of carrier of persons
Statutory Text‘Transportation network company’ means an organization that uses an online-enabled application or platform to connect riders with drivers using personal vehicles.
— Vehicle Code §5400(a) — Definitions
What Courts Have Said
California courts have consistently held that rideshare companies qualify as common carriers and are therefore subject to the heightened duty of care under Civil Code §2100.
The Ninth Circuit affirmed that Uber is a common carrier under California law, rejecting Uber’s argument that it is merely a technology platform — holding that Uber ‘holds itself out to the public as willing to carry all who apply’ and thus assumes the duties of a common carrier.
The court ruled that Lyft, like Uber, functions as a common carrier because it arranges transportation for compensation and exercises substantial control over driver onboarding, pricing, and service standards — satisfying the functional test under §2100.
What to Do
If injured while riding with Uber or Lyft in California, preserve evidence (trip receipt, photos, witness contact info).
File a claim with the rideshare company’s insurance — they are required to carry $1 million in commercial liability coverage during active trips (CVC §5409).
Consult a personal injury attorney familiar with common carrier liability — the ‘utmost care’ standard makes it easier to establish negligence.
Note the strict one-year deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit against a private rideshare company (Code of Civil Procedure §335.1).
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.