S.C. slams brakes on Uber; solidifies Myrtle Beach’s stance on business licensing requirement

The controversial ride-sharing service Uber has been ordered to stop operating in South Carolina, a move local officials have supported all along.

Since July, uberX — a branch of Uber Technologies Inc. — has been trying to operate in Myrtle Beach. The service allows users to request a ride through a smartphone app, which then allows them to agree with a driver on a price, destination, and pick-up time.

But Myrtle Beach officials wasted little time to send a message to those who offered rides to others without proper licensing by ticketing three Uber drivers in late July. The citations were issued through a sting operation, and Lt. Joey Crosby, spokesman for Myrtle Beach police, said Friday he was unaware of court dates for the defendants.