As used in this chapter:
“Personal vehicle” means a vehicle that is used by a transportation network company driver and is:
Owned, leased or otherwise authorized for use by the transportation network company driver; and
Not a common carrier by motor vehicle, contract carrier by motor vehicle, or restricted motor carrier under Chapter 7, Title 77, Mississippi Code of 1972.
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Insurance.
“Department” means the Mississippi Department of Insurance.
“Digital network” means any online-enabled technology application service, website or system offered or utilized by a transportation network company that enables the prearrangement of rides with transportation network company drivers.
“Transportation network company” means a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, or other entity that is licensed under this chapter and operating in Mississippi that uses a digital network to connect transportation network company riders to transportation network company drivers who provide prearranged rides. A transportation network company shall not be deemed to control, direct or manage the personal vehicles or transportation network company drivers that connect to its digital network, except where agreed to by written contract.
“Transportation network company driver” or “driver” means an individual who:
Receives connections to potential passengers and related services from a transportation network company in exchange for payment of a fee to the transportation network company; and
Uses a personal vehicle to offer or provide a prearranged ride to riders upon connection through a digital network controlled by a transportation network company in return for compensation or payment of a fee.
“Transportation network company rider” or “rider” means an individual or persons who use a transportation network company’s digital network to connect with a transportation network driver who provides prearranged rides to the rider in the driver’s personal vehicle between points chosen by the rider.
“Prearranged ride” means the provision of transportation by a driver to a rider, beginning when a driver accepts a ride requested by a rider through a digital network controlled by a transportation network company, continuing while the driver transports a requesting rider, and ending when the last requesting rider departs from the personal vehicle. A prearranged ride does not include transportation provided using a common carrier by motor vehicle, contract carrier by motor vehicle, or restricted motor carrier under Chapter 7, Title 77, Mississippi Code of 1972. A prearranged ride does not include shared expense carpool arrangements or vanpooling as defined in Section 77-7-7, or any other type of arrangement or service in which the driver receives a fee that does not exceed the driver’s costs associated with providing the ride.