Uber’s Ride-Hailing Service Banned in Germany

Reuters is reporting that a German court has banned Uber from providing its ride-hailing services in Germany, saying it lacks the license necessary to transport passengers in rental vehicles.

Uber currently operates in seven German cities, including Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. The issues stem from the fact that Uber works exclusively with rental car agencies and their drivers in Germany.

While the ban goes into immediate effect, it is still open to appeal, and the company has not ruled out a legal challenge to the decision. In the meantime, Reuters reports that Uber is looking at other options for how it operates in Germany. What that would look like is anyone’s guess at this point, as a previous court ruling in 2015 prohibited the company from matching customers with drivers using their own vehicles, as it does in the U.S. That ruling is what originally prompted Uber to use rental car companies and their drivers to provide their service.

Uber is facing increasing challenges and bans around the world. Just last month, the city of London denied Uber a license, citing safety concerns. In the wake of a recent report that thousands of sexual assaults and nine murders have occurred during rides, it’s a safe bet Uber will continue to meet with opposition.