Ride-hailing platforms face regulatory delays in Costa Rica and Veracruz

Ride-hailing platforms continue to face regulatory challenges in Latin America. In Costa Rica, Uber, inDrive, and Didi have operated for years without a definitive legal framework. Despite spanning four different administrations since Uber's arrival in 2015, the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly is still debating a bill to regulate the service, a move supported by taxi organizations but opposed by platform drivers.

In Veracruz, Mexico, the Unión Veracruzana de Conductores de Aplicación (Uveca) has initiated formal talks with state government representatives to establish a legal framework. This effort aims to reduce uncertainty for drivers of apps like Uber, Didi, and inDrive. Uveca is proposing measures such as a state registry of drivers with license plates to allow the government to monitor operations.

While formal regulations are pending in Veracruz, platforms are actively recruiting drivers. However, recruitment standards are tightening; drivers are increasingly required to use local plates rather than out-of-state or provisional permits to help organize the vehicle fleet.