The City of Myrtle Beach found a way to regulate Uber drivers facing the fact the State has mandated their continue operations until the summer.

Late last month, the Public Service Commission of South Carolina granted Uber the right to continue to operate in the state until June 30th.

“They take business from people who are struggling in the first place,” said Chuck Rietman.

Rietman is a cab driver in Myrtle Beach.

He says waiting for customers at the airport is not always profitable.

“Five and half hours for one ride; if I get lucky I’ll get out of here with this ride comeback and maybe get another one,” said Rietman.

Some days he only makes a few dollars and Rietman says it is not fair that Uber drivers can scoop up customers and not pay the same fees to the city he and the other drivers have to pay.

“We want to preserve what we have in Myrtle Beach,” said James Irvin.

Irvin is an attorney who represents local taxi companies against Uber.

He says besides fairness to local cab businesses there are other concerns that arise if Uber drivers do not register with the city.

“There is a true danger to the public using this service as how it operates here in Myrtle Beach,” said Irvin.

However the city found a new way to handle the issue.

“Our position is that any Uber operator is functioning as a limo driver in the city and so they would be required to meet our local requirements for limo drivers.  Which would mean they would have to have a chauffeur’s license and they’d have to have a business license,” said John Pedersen.

Pedersen is the city manager of Myrtle Beach.

He says licenses would require both fees as well as background checks for each person who operates as an Uber driver in the city.

However, not everyone follows the rules.

“The problem is there have been some Uber operators that have not understood what our local requirements are and they have not gotten business licenses,” said Pedersen.

But the city is enforcing its laws.

Pedersen says there are currently four pending cases against Uber drivers.

One driver has been written up twice.

Representatives from Uber did not return News 13’s calls for comment.