Uber drivers are independent contractors, not full-time employees of the ride-hailing company, a federal judge ruled in what is said to be the first classification of Uber drivers under federal law.

Reuters reported that US District Judge Michael Baylson said on Wednesday that Uber does not exert enough control over drivers for its limo service, Uber Black, to be considered their employer under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The drivers work when they want to and are free to do what they want in between rides, Baylson said.

A spokesperson for Uber said the company is “pleased” with the judge’s ruling, while a lawyer for the plaintiffs said he would appeal the ruling.

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