Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

''Background check clearance certificate'', verification issued by the division to a transportation network company and driver applicant, electronically or otherwise, that a driver applicant successfully completed the background check required under section 3 and is suitable to provide transportation network services.

''Cruising'', the driving of a vehicle on the streets, alleys or public places of motorized travel in search of or soliciting hails from a person in the street.

''Department'', the department of public utilities.

''Digital network'', any online-enabled application, software, website or system offered or utilized by a transportation network company that enables pre-arranged rides with transportation network drivers.

''Division'', the division established in section 23 of chapter 25.

''Pre-arranged ride'', a period of time that begins when a transportation network driver accepts a requested ride through a digital network, continues while the driver transports the transportation network company rider and ends when the rider safely departs from the vehicle.

''Transportation network company'', a corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship or other entity that uses a digital network to connect riders to drivers to pre-arrange and provide transportation.

''Transportation network company permit'' or ''permit'', a document that may be issued by the division to a qualifying transportation network company pursuant to this chapter.

''Transportation network driver'' or ''driver'', a driver certified by a transportation network company.

''Transportation network driver certificate'' or ''driver certificate'', an authorization to provide transportation network services issued by the transportation network company to a transportation network driver.

''Transportation network rider'' or ''rider'', a passenger in a pre-arranged ride provided by a transportation network driver, provided that the passenger personally arranged the ride or an arrangement was made on the rider's behalf.

''Transportation network services'' or ''services'', the offering or providing of pre-arranged rides for compensation or on a promotional basis to riders or prospective riders through the transportation network company's digital network, covering the period beginning when a transportation network driver is logged onto the transportation network company's digital network and is available to receive a pre-arranged ride or while in the course of providing a pre-arranged ride.

''Transportation network vehicle'' or ''vehicle'', a vehicle that is used by a transportation network driver to provide transportation network services.