The Costa Rican Public Services Regulatory Authority (Aresep) this week imposed the first sanction on an Uber driver for illegally providing transportation services.

The penalty amounts to ¢2,017,000 (about US$3,500).

Both the car owner and the driver are responsible for what is deemed the illegal provision of transportation, because, said the regulatory agency, Uber is not just a technology “app” but it is a service that “supplies paid transportation and facilitates the provision of the service.”

Aresep has opened investigations into 30 other Uber drivers and 151 “pirate” taxi drivers, which were reported by the traffic police.

In order to provide public transportation in Costa Rica, Uber must have a concession or permit from  the Costa Rican Public Transportation Council (CTP). Without this, drivers and vehicle owners can be fined, said Aresep in its ruling.