Self-driving rules get relaxed, drivers strike over pay and Uber launching a new service. LegalRideshare breaks it down.

Trump's transition team is looking to help Tesla. CNBC reported:

Tesla shares jumped Monday following a report that President-elect Donald Trump's transition team is planning to make a federal framework to regulate self-driving vehicles a top priority for the U.S. Transport Department.

A federal framework for regulating self-driving vehicles would be a major boon to Musk's Tesla, which has been promising fully self-driving vehicles for several years but has so far failed to deliver a car capable of being driven autonomously without a human behind the wheel.

The long-term vision for Tesla is to produce a fleet of so-called robotaxis, autonomous vehicles that can drive people around without the need for human supervision.

Last month, Musk showed off Tesla's long-awaited robotaxi — a concept car called the “Cybercab,” a $30,000 two-seater vehicle with no steering wheels or pedals.

Drivers in Newcastle have gone on strike. BBC reported:

A group of Uber drivers have gone on strike in a row over pay and fee transparency.

The Newcastle drivers, who do not have formal union representation, gathered to protest outside the company's office by the Bigg Market.

Changes made by Uber following a Supreme Court judgement in 2021 mean drivers no longer know how much a customer has paid, only their own fee, which they say is “unfair”.

The court ruled Uber drivers should be considered employees, meaning they would be entitled to minimum wage and holiday pay.

At the time, drivers would take payment from customers and pay the firm a set 25% fee.

Uber has now changed this process to handle payments itself, forwarding a fee to drivers, who have complained there is no transparency over what share they receive.

Uber launches a new service called XXL. Business Insider Reported:

The ride-hailing company's new ride category comes with “access to larger trunk space,” it announced Wednesday.

So what's the difference between this and an UberXL, which has been around for years? It boils down to trunk space.

The UberXL option gets riders a van or SUV that seats up to six people. While the new UberXXL choice guarantees trunk space and fits six people, the UberXL option doesn't promise the trunk will be free to load your luggage into.

It's worth noting the UberXXL option is only for trips to and from airports. It's available for more than 60 airports worldwide, including 40 in the US and Canada.

LegalRideshare is the first law firm in the United States to focus exclusively on Uber®, Lyft®, gig workers, delivery and e-scooter accidents and injuries. Consultations are always free.