An attorney for Sidecar faced the D.C. Taxicab Commission today to argue against proposed regulations the ride-sharing company believes will force them out of D.C.

Elizabeth Stevens said Sidecar is “fundamentally different” from Uber and Lyft, two of the companies that would be affected by the proposed sedan services regulations, “in the way that we offer our services.” (Representatives from those companies did not testify.) Indeed, the company’s option to input a destination — something forbidden under the proposed regulations — caused the most disagreement between Stevens and DCTC Chairman Ron Linton.

“That would fundamentally stop our service from operating,” she said.

“That also allows the driver to decide who they’re going to service and who they’re not going to service,” DCTC Chairman Ron Linton said of the destination input, adding that if a driver doesn’t want to go to a certain part of the city they can turn the ride down.

“They get to choose where they’d like to go,” Stevens said. While Linton raised concerns about racial discrimination, Stevens said the company has not received any complaints.

Stevens said there are “benefits” to being able to input a destination. “If you just want taxi replacement services, then you can have these rules that are just taxi replacement services,” she said.

Some of the regulations — including one that requires drivers limited to 20 hours per week to have commercial operating insurance — would also discourage “casual” drivers from participating in Sidecar.

“It isn’t Sidecar I’m worried about,” Linton said, adding that he’s sure they’re a reputable company. “It’s the guy who comes in here … that nobody knows that takes the same conditions that allow you to operate and winds up ripping off credit cards, identity theft or even assaulting people.” Linton asked why Sidecar opposes having drivers register with the DCTC, which would make enforcing the prohibition on street hails easier.

Stevens said DCTC should contact Sidecar if a driver is cited for accepting a street hail.

“How do we know, you won’t tell us?” Linton said.

“It doesn’t matter,” Stevens said. “If they accepted a street hail, they should get a street hail ticket.”

“No, we can’t pull everything single vehicle over,” Linton said.

But the testiest exchange between Sidecar and the DCTC came when one commissioner asked why D.C. even needs the company.

“That’s like saying that you shouldn’t have cars because they are horse and buggies,” Stevens said. “Innovation is coming.”