You can get an Uber or Lyft car anywhere in New York. The state's Department of Motor Vehicles yesterday approved the companies' licenses, just a few hours before the ride sharing services were set to start. Uber and Lyft were allowed to begin operating overnight. State lawmakers said they wanted to allow the companies to start before July 1st, so potential customers could plan for the Fourth of July. --Uber, Lyft and other ride-sharing services are now legal in Rochester and across New York state. A new law took effect at midnight, allowing on-demand car companies to pick up passengers, as they have for years in New York City. Counties and major cities are allowed to opt-out. Uber has threatened to turn off its app in places that do.