Ecuador App Drivers Still Report Vehicle Retentions Despite Court Ruling

Drivers using passenger apps in Ecuador remain caught between a Constitutional Court decision and an unfinished regulatory framework. Ecuavisa reported on August 23, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. that app drivers continue to report sanctions and vehicle retentions in cities including Cuenca.

The old penalty framework

When apps began operating in Ecuador in 2017, drivers transporting passengers without the kind of operating title held by yellow taxis faced a fine equal to two basic salaries, vehicle retention for at least seven days, and 10 points off the driver's license.

The legal picture changed in late August 2024, when the Constitutional Court declared the relevant section unconstitutional. The reasoning described in the report was that Ecuador had not created a law regulating services such as Uber, InDrive, and Didi, and that penalizing the drivers under the old rule could limit the right to work.

The court urged the National Assembly to regulate the matter. Ecuavisa says that has not happened yet, leaving drivers and local transit agencies to operate in a gray and disputed environment.

Reports continue in multiple cities

The president of the Association of App Drivers said reports were concentrated in Ambato, Riobamba, Cuenca, Portoviejo, Santo Domingo, and Ibarra. The report describes a Cuenca case from July 2026 in which a woman's vehicle was stopped while she was providing Uber service.

The story is not a blanket exemption from all traffic enforcement. It distinguishes app-based passenger service from transport performed outside the platforms. The latter may still be sanctioned. It also says a vehicle may still be taken to a retention yard, meaning a driver can face immediate disruption even when later legal review favors the driver.

Practical steps for drivers

The lawyer quoted by Ecuavisa recommends recording the procedure and asking the agent to explain the reason for the stop. He also recommends showing a physical or digital credential proving that the driver works through an app. Those actions help create evidence for an appeal, but they are not a guarantee that the vehicle will be released on the spot.

Passengers should keep their identification and belongings with them if a ride is interrupted. Foreign residents who drive for an app should retain proof of platform registration and avoid assuming that a general court ruling substitutes for individualized legal advice.

What This Means for Expats

The immediate issue is practical rather than immigration-related: app rides can be disrupted by local enforcement disputes. Expats should use established platforms, allow extra time for important appointments, and record the basic details of any stop without escalating the interaction.

The longer-term question is whether the Assembly creates a clear national framework. Until then, the court decision and local enforcement reports will continue to pull in different directions.

Source: Ecuavisa