JULY 2026 NEWSLETTER: UPDATES FROM THE INDEPENDENT DRIVERS GUILD
You can gain access to benefits by becoming a verified member! CLICK HERE.
Table of Contents: Petitions to Stop Driverless Cars – New Jersey July Event Recap – Access to the Worker Healthy Living Program – New Jersey Life and AD&D Insurance – AND MORE!
Fight Waymo and Protect Our Jobs Across the Nation
Thank you to all the IDG members who helped us reach our goal of 10,000 signatures against driverless vehicles in New York. We are continuing to fight back. Now, we’re on a mission to build our petition signatures in additional states.
Add your name to demand an immediate halt to Waymo’s self-driving car testing in Jersey City, Miami, and beyond, and stop all autonomous vehicle testing across the country. We must move quickly to protect driver jobs and our communities.
Sign your state’s petition here:
Thank You New Jersey Drivers for Showing Up For Our Rights!
We appreciate every driver who turned out this month at IDG New Jersey’s informative meeting on the need for union rights, higher wages, and benefits for Uber and Lyft drivers in our state. United, we can work together to fight for better rates, end unfair deactivations, and so much more.
Stay posted on additional updates from the New Jersey team as our fight grows. Thank you!
New York Drivers: Stay Ahead with License Watch
Your ability to drive depends on keeping your TLC license in good standing. That’s why License Watch is now available in the Drivers Benefits App for Eligible1,2, TLC-Licensed Drivers Enrolled in Drivers Benefits by The Black Car Fund.
This new service helps you stay informed about your TLC license status, renewals, plus moving, parking, and camera violations—so you can address issues early and keep driving with confidence. If you need help responding to tickets or infractions, you can also access Legal Assistance through the App.
License Watch is included at no cost for Eligible,¹ Enrolled Drivers through Drivers Benefits by The Black Car Fund and is provided by IDG.
Enroll in Drivers Benefits Through the App
New York Drivers: Health Navigation Service (HNS) Helps You Take Control of Your Health
The Health Navigation Service is only available to eligible drivers who live in New York City and surrounding areas, and – once you enroll in Drivers Benefits by The Black Car Fund – it gives you personalized care and support3 that includes:
- Health Insurance Support: Get help understanding your coverage or how to enroll in an affordable plan if you’re uninsured.
- An Initial Health Assessment: Receive a comprehensive exam at a participating ModernMD location to get a clear snapshot of your health.
- Continued Care Visits: Schedule follow-up visits with your primary doctor or at Doral Health & Wellness (H&W) for ongoing care, including diagnostics and prescriptions.
If you have any more questions, or would like to register for free over the phone, call the Driver Support Team at 1-929-419-0390 anytime between Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET.
IDG New Jersey Members Looking for Some Security? Life and AD&D Insurance Now Available for New Jersey Drivers
IDG NJ members, you now have access to $5,000 in Life Insurance and up to $25,000 in Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage through MetLife—effective May 1, 2025, with no waiting period5. Coverage applies worldwide and includes natural causes, accidents, and more. Need to file a claim or want to confirm you are a member? Call 1-800-333-5440.
Happy Independence Day from the Independent Drivers Guild
Every day, drivers keep our communities moving. We work hard every day connecting people to work, family, medical appointments, celebrations, and so much more. As we celebrate the freedoms and opportunities that define our nation, we also recognize the hard work, dedication, and resilience of professional drivers across the nation. Thank you for everything you do, and we hope you had a wonderful holiday with your loved ones. Happy Fourth of July!
Get support
New York Office Hours & Weekly Outreach
IDG’s NYC office is bigger and better than ever! Visit us:
New York Independent Drivers Guild
Monday – Friday, 10AM – 4PM
Not in CT, IL, NJ, FL, or NY? Contact us here to speak with organizers about next steps. Reach out today – let’s organize in your state!
You can now read previous editions of the IDG Member Newsletter here!
*Terms and conditions apply – Click here: ny.driversbenefits.org for more details on eligibility rules and benefits requirements.
**While supplies last.
1You must meet Eligibility Requirements* to be enrolled in Drivers Benefits. An Eligible Driver is either: (i) a driver who is registered with the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (NYC TLC) as a driver for a Black Car service and who, for initial eligibility, has provided service to passengers for at least twenty (20) hours during the past thirty (30) days and, for ongoing eligibility, based on driving-hours data provided by the NYC TLC for the rolling six (6) month prior periods, has provided service to passengers for an average of at least twenty (20) hours per month, with such hours measured from the time a passenger enters a vehicle until such passenger exits the same vehicle, or (ii) a driver is not registered with the NYC TLC and who qualifies as a Transportation Network Company (TNC) or is affiliated with a dispatch base that is a member of The Black Car Fund and in the prior calendar year has received a gross income of at least $4,000 during the most recent available calendar quarter from the provision of service to passengers in the State of New York. Gross revenue is determined based on income that will be reported on a driver’s Form 1099. These eligibility standards may be changed by The Black Car Fund upon at least 30 days’ notice. Enrolled drivers must continue to meet eligibility requirements to maintain access to the benefits. A Driver shall cease to be an Eligible Driver if said Driver has been found by the Workers’ Compensation Board to be disqualified as a claimant for lost time benefits pursuant to Section 114-a of the New York Workers’ Compensation Law. *These Eligibility Requirements were last updated and are effective as of April 9, 2026.
2Drivers must meet Eligibility Requirements to enroll and maintain access to benefits. All benefits are subject to terms and availability. See https://ny.driversbenefits.org/eligibility and https://ny.driversbenefits.org/benefits/ for full program details
License Watch is an optional service available through the Drivers Benefits App, and information is provided only to you. Individual License Watch information is not shared with third parties, including Uber, Lyft, or other Bases. By opting into (or “activating”) License Watch, you authorize Drivers Benefits to monitor publicly-available information related to your Licensing status and related violations. Information provided through License Watch is intended as a general reference only, and may be delayed, incomplete, or outdated. It does not replace official notices from any licensing or regulatory authority. Drivers are responsible for reviewing, verifying, and addressing any issues with the appropriate agencies. Enrolled Drivers must continue to meet Eligibility Requirements to maintain access to benefits, including License Watch. Drivers may opt out of License Watch at any time after activating the service. Drivers Benefits is not responsible for actions taken or not taken based on this information.
3Health Navigation is a support and guidance benefit only. It is not health insurance and does not provide medical care or replace professional medical advice. Any medical visits or services arranged through your insurance may be subject to co-pays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs. Coverage and cost-sharing are determined solely by your insurance carrier. Drivers enrolled in Medicaid or the Essential Plan may have low or no out-of-pocket costs, depending on their specific plan. Available only to Eligible, Enrolled Drivers of Drivers Benefits by The Black Car Fund who are local to New York City.
4Note: These benefits are provided by the Independent Drivers Guild (IDG) and are intended for Uber, Lyft, and rideshare drivers who work in New Jersey. If you work in New York, please see the IDG’s benefits through the Drivers Benefits program for NY drivers. You may qualify for one program, but not both — please reach out to us for eligibility rules and details. Nothing in these materials is intended to be advice for a particular situation or individual. Please consult with your own advisors for such advice. Like most group insurance policies, insurance policies offered by MetLife contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations and terms for keeping them in force. Please contact your benefits administrator or MetLife for costs and complete details. AD&D insurance does not include payment for certain losses as described in more detail in your certificate. Specific information pertaining to your insurance can be obtained by contacting MetLife. MetLife Group Term Life insurance and AD&D are issued by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166, under Policy Form GPN99/G2130- S. Metlife and the M logo are trademarks of MetLife, Inc. © 2026 MetLife Services and Solutions, LLC.
