H.R. 7169 – UBER Act | Legislate.dev

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Updated May 14, 2026 at 3:30 AM UTC

The Understanding Basic English Requirements (UBER) Act would require that any driver working for a transportation‑network or shared‑use mobility company that receives a federal contract must be able to read and speak English well enough to interact with the public, law enforcement, and officials, understand traffic signs, and complete reports. The bill also sets other driver standards such as being at least 21 years old, holding a valid state driver’s license, and passing a road test. Companies that fail to certify compliance could be barred from federal contracts for five years.

Key Provisions

Drivers must be 21 or older, have a valid state driver’s license, pass a road test, and demonstrate sufficient English proficiency for public and official communication and traffic sign comprehension.
An exception allows deaf or hearing‑impaired drivers who use American Sign Language to meet the English requirement.
Transportation‑network and shared‑use mobility companies must certify that all their drivers meet these standards to be eligible for federal contracts.
Companies found non‑compliant can be debarred from receiving federal contracts for a period of five years.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

January 21, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 21, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

January 21, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 21, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7169

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 21, 2026

Mr. Brecheen (for himself, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Mr. Fine, and Mr. Smith of New Jersey) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

A BILL

To require English proficiency as a prerequisite for eligibility for ride share contracts, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Understanding Basic English Requirements Act of 2026 or the UBER Act.

2.

English proficiency and other driver requirements for ride share contract eligibility

(a)

Requirements

(1)

In general

The head of an executive agency may not award an agreement or a contract with any transportation network company or shared-use mobility company for services provided in the continental United States, Alaska, or Hawaii where unless each driver who will be performing work under the agreement or contract—

(A)

is at least 21 years old;

(B)

can read and speak English sufficiently to converse with the general public, law enforcement, and other officials, understand highway traffic signs, respond to official inquiries, and make entries on reports and records;

(C)

can, by reason of experience, training, or both, safely operate the type of vehicle the driver drives;

(D)

has a currently valid driver's license issued only by one State or jurisdiction; and

(E)

has successfully completed a driver's road test.

(2)

Exception for American Sign Language

The requirement under paragraph (1)(B) does not apply to drivers who are deaf or hearing impaired and use American Sign Language.

(b)

Compliance certification and debarment

A transportation network company or shared-use mobility company shall be required, for purposes of eligibility for an agreement or contract described in paragraph (1) of subsection (a), to certify to the head of the executive agency that all drivers for the company who will be performing work under such agreement or contract meet the requirements set forth in subsection (a)(1). Any company found to not be in compliance with such certification shall be debarred from receiving Federal contracts for a period of 5 years.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Executive agency

The term executive agency has the meaning given the term in section 133 of title 41, United States Code.

(2)

Shared-use mobility company

The term shared-use mobility company means a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other licensed and operating entity that provides transportation services that are shared among users, including taxis, limos, bikesharing, ridesharing (such as carpooling and vanpooling), ridesourcing, scooter sharing, or shuttle services.

(3)

Transportation network company

The term transportation network company means a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other licensed and operating entity that uses a digital network to connect a transportation network company (TNC) rider to a TNC driver who provides a prearranged ride. A TNC may not control, direct, or manage the personal vehicle or the TNC driver who connects to its digital network, except where agreed to by written contract.