After almost a year of saying it was illegal for ride-sharing service Uber to operate in Myrtle Beach, officials recently began allowing them to pick up passengers in the city as long as drivers purchase a business license.

Twelve drivers have purchased business licenses as of Monday and now are operating the app-based car ride service legally in the city, city spokesman Mark Kruea said. The first business license was issued Feb. 27.

“The Uber drivers are providing a personal service with their personal vehicle, acting as independent contractors,” Kruea said. “The service falls somewhere in between a taxi and a limousine.”