The ‘Uber’ car ride app is under investigation in several states over the possible breach of taxi laws.

The service allows customers to get a free lift from drivers nearby. It is hugely popular in the US and its taking off in Australia, but now may be hindered by legal interruptions.

New South Wales, Victorian and Queensland authorities have all found issues with the app, and may move to enforce old rules on the new service.

Representatives of all three states have told ABC reporters that there are some big concerns with Uber, and smartphone car-sharing in general.

“Based on the information available, we believe the Uber Pop service is operating outside of legislation,” Queensland Transport Minister Scott Emerson said.

“I have directed my department to contact the company and further investigate any safety implications for passengers.”

A similar case across the border.

“If a NSW driver is taking paying members of the public as passengers, the driver and the vehicle must operate in accordance with the Passenger Transport Act,” Transport NSW said.

“Under the Act, such services must be provided in a licensed taxi or hire car, by an appropriately accredited driver, authorised by Roads and Maritime Services (RMS).”

Victoria has changed its laws to include the next generation of transport options, but Victorian Taxi Services Commissioner Graeme Samuel said authorities sitll wanted to make sure Uber operated safely.

“[We would like to] provide Uber with some advice and guidance as to how they could operate consistent with the law in Victoria,” he said.

Uber General Manager David Rohrsheim says the laws were last written in 1990, and are now outdated.

“Those regulations were written a long long time before mobile phones were invented and today’s social networking technology existed,” he said.