The provincial government has put out the word to drivers wanting to earn a little extra cash by joining a ride-sharing service - 'We will find you and fine you.'

So far the Ministry of Transportation has issued 20 cease and desist orders and 23 fines of $1,150 to drivers who are using personal vehicles as a commercial venture.

The ministry is going after the driver, not the app. Their press release went on to say 'It is important that drivers providing commercial transportation services through these social media apps understand that they are assuming all of the risk related to providing the service'.

The companies that appear to have been actively recruiting drivers include Longmao, Udi Kuaiche, U Drop, RaccoonGo, GoKabu, Dingdang Carpool and AO Rideshare.

In order to be licensed there must be a regular government-safety inspection of the vehicle, insurance that will cover the carrying of paying passengers and a police background check on the driver.

In the meatime, Uber is laying the groundwork for expanding its brand. Last month it launched its food-delivery service, UberEATS, in select Vancouver neighbourhoods. The delivery service allows Uber to recruit potential drivers to transport food before regulations are introduced to transport people.