
Some regions allow 7-seater cars to operate on Didi. Regional regulations: Some regions stipulate that as long as the ex-factory price of the vehicle is over 70,000 yuan, it can be registered for Didi. However, some regions prohibit 7-seater business vehicles from registering for Didi due to their excessively long wheelbase, which does not meet the registration vehicle specifications. All eligible vehicle models for joining are subject to the model list provided by Didi. Requirements for operating on Didi: Own a locally licensed 7-seater vehicle with an ex-factory price of over 70,000 yuan; the vehicle must be less than 8 years old with a mileage under 100,000 kilometers; male drivers aged 21-60 and female drivers aged 21-50, in good health with a high awareness of safety; hold a C2 or higher driver's license with at least 1 year of driving experience.

I've helped many friends register their 7-seater cars for Didi, so I have some experience in this. Generally speaking, 7-seater vehicles can operate on Didi. The platform requires that the vehicle must not exceed 8 seats. Common 7-seater MPVs like the Buick GL8 or Toyota Sienna meet the standards—just select the 'premium car' type during registration in the app. However, the vehicle condition must be good, typically within 8 years of age, with no record of major accidents. You also need to pass a safety inspection at a Didi-approved inspection site. A small tip: Fuel consumption might be slightly higher than a 5-seater, costing an extra few dozen yuan per day on average, but the larger passenger capacity makes it more cost-effective for group rides, such as family trips or group tours. Don’t forget to check local regulations—when I drove in Beijing, the rules were stricter, requiring additional dash cams, while Shenzhen was more lenient. If you're unsure whether your vehicle model will pass the review, you can test it by entering the vehicle details directly in the app.

I considered driving for Didi to earn extra income and tried using a seven-seater. The costs need to be calculated carefully. The car is our family Honda Odyssey, which seats exactly seven, and it can be applied for once listed in the Didi premium car options. Insurance and maintenance fees are higher than for a compact car, costing a few hundred more per month, but airport pickups can earn dozens more per trip. During peak hours, there are indeed more passengers, but you need to invest thousands upfront to upgrade seats and install cameras to ensure compliance. The platform takes about 20% in commissions, so you need to drive diligently to cover expenses. Fuel costs average one liter more per 100 km compared to a five-seater, so long-term drivers should consider switching to electric or new energy vehicles. New drivers are advised to research the local market first—opportunities are greater and competition lower in tier-three cities, while requirements are stricter in big cities. In short, seven-seaters are feasible but require careful budgeting.

Last week I drove my 7-seater MPV for Didi rides and received good feedback. Most passengers were family groups who preferred spacious vehicles for luggage, so I specifically accepted such orders. When registering on the Didi app, I uploaded vehicle photos and selected 7 seats, which passed preliminary review. The car drives flexibly but has a large turning radius, making urban congested areas tricky – fortunately, frequent orders balanced the drawbacks. For maintenance, I change engine oil quarterly to avoid breakdowns affecting ratings. Personally, 7-seaters work well for Didi – as long as the vehicle is clean and safe, passenger satisfaction remains high. Remember to carry your vehicle license and operation certificate to avoid platform penalties for minor oversights.


