Maryland Seeks $36M Fine Against Empower

State regulators recommend penalties against the ride-hailing app for continuing to operate after a cease-operations order.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Utilities

Maryland Seeks $36M Fine Against Empower

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Maryland's Office of People's Counsel has recommended a civil penalty of more than $36 million against rideshare app Empower, which has refused to register with the state as a transportation services company. The state also recommended $1 million per day in additional fines while the company continues operating.

Why it matters

Regulators say they cannot verify that Empower drivers are properly licensed or use safe vehicles with correct insurance coverage. The dispute tests how the state enforces transportation rules against app-based platforms that serve a large share of for-hire rides.

Maryland's Office of People's Counsel recommended a penalty above $36 million plus $1 million daily while Empower operates. Empower claims its software connected drivers with more than 300,000 customers weekly, nearly half of all for-hire rides in the state, but the Commission has not set a decision date.

The players

Empower

A ride-hailing app that connects drivers with riders and has refused to register with Maryland as a transportation services company.

Public Service Commission

Maryland's state utility and transportation regulator, which made the cease-operations order final and will decide on the proposed fines.

Office of People's Counsel

Maryland's state consumer advocate office, which recommended the civil penalty and daily fines against Empower.

The details

Administrative Judge Amy Schaeffer ordered Empower to cease Maryland operations in July while the case proceeded, and the Public Service Commission made that order final the Friday before publication. Empower classifies drivers as customers using its software rather than as employees or contractors, and instructs drivers to buy their own insurance, though its app still showed drivers available for rides in Baltimore on Monday.

- July: Judge Amy Schaeffer ordered Empower to cease operations in Maryland.
- September: Empower executives wrote to regulators about ride volume.
- Friday before publication: The Public Service Commission made the cease-operations order final.
- Last week before publication: Regulators filed recommended fines before the Commission.

Roadmap

Maryland's registration requirement for for-hire transportation services is the legal baseline against which the state is now enforcing penalties on Empower. The case extends that baseline by pairing a cease-operations order with proposed daily fines against a platform serving a large share of the state's rides.

Maryland riders who depend on Empower may see service disruptions while the cease-operations order is in effect. Drivers working through the app should confirm their own licensing and insurance coverage, since Empower does not provide commercial auto insurance.

The takeaway

Ride-hailing riders and drivers in Maryland should watch for the Public Service Commission's decision on the proposed fines, which will determine whether Empower must register or leave the state market. Drivers should verify their own licensing and insurance regardless of how the case is resolved.