Rideshare company Empower ordered to shut down by DC judge [Video]

A judge said Empower needs to register with D.C.’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV).

WASHINGTON — A ride-share company has been ordered to shut down again. Empower, the company, was also asked to shut down in 2020, at least until it registers with D.C.’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV).

Empower is a tech company run by CEO Josh Sear. The company aims to “empower” ride-share drivers, by allowing them to set their own rates and keep 100% of the fare, Sear told WUSA9 in 2023.

But the company hasn’t registered with DFHV, despite being asked to for four years.

The regulation allows D.C. to make sure Empower riders aren’t discriminated against, drivers are insured and that they are subject to a background check, a DFHV spokesperson said.

But Sear said drivers using Empower are already background checked, and many of them also drive for Uber and Lyft.

“That is provided by one of the largest …