The Tallahassee City Commission has passed an ordinancerequiring all rideshare service drivers to obtain city licences andadhere to insurance regulations like traditional taxi cabs,reports the Tallahassee Democrat. The new regulationscome after a bill to regulate rideshare services didn't pass in theFlorida legislature earlier this year.

Under the new ordinance, rideshare companies like Uber and Lyftmust obey city insurance and permitting processes, and must followthe same rules as taxi cab drivers when making pick-ups at theairport.

Rideshare companies also need to create zero-tolerance policieson the use of drugs and alcohol. The ordinance doesn't requiredrivers to take a urine test before getting a permit, but they doneed to submit to a drug or alcohol test if there is a seriouscrash or suspicion of abuse.

Rideshare companies won't be required to submit information oneach driver every quarter, the way taxi cab companies are requiredto. Instead, the companies only need to keep the information onfile, says the Democrat.

Just days before the ordinance was announced, Uber said it wouldpull out of Broward County at the end of the month due to its"onerous" regulations, says the Democrat.

In response to the ordinance ruling, Uber spokesperson BillGibbons told the Democrat: "The Tallahassee CityCommission's embrace of innovation and consumer choice is a win forthe community. This modern regulatory framework puts public safetyfirst, while expanding economic opportunity for local entrepreneursand ensuring continued access to safe, reliable transportationthroughout the city."

The ordinance will take effect on Aug. 15, 2015.