Can private cars operate on Didi? What are the requirements?
2 Answers
Private cars can join Didi. The conditions for joining Didi are: 1. The Didi vehicle must obtain the "Online Car-hailing Transport Permit": This mainly applies to the vehicle. Each city has new regulations for online car-hailing services. To operate as an online car-hailing vehicle, the car must meet the city's new regulations, such as strict requirements on wheelbase, displacement, vehicle value, etc. 2. The Didi driver must obtain the "Online Car-hailing Driver's Permit": This driver's permit is essentially the so-called professional qualification certificate. Drivers must obtain the online car-hailing professional qualification certificate to operate as an online car-hailing driver. Just like needing a driver's license to drive, operating as an online car-hailing driver without the professional qualification certificate is considered unlicensed driving. 3. Driver requirements: Age: Male 21-60 years old, Female 21-55 years old; Driver's license type: At least includes A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2; Driving experience: At least 3 years or more; Points: No accumulation of 12 points in the last 3 consecutive point cycles, or the last cycle with 12 points must be at least 3 years ago. 4. Vehicle requirements: The vehicle registration date (age of the vehicle) must be less than 8 years, and the mileage must be below 600,000 kilometers; Passenger capacity: 5-7 people; According to local requirements, the vehicle must be equipped with a satellite positioning device with driving record function, an emergency alarm device, etc.
I recently started using my private car for Didi rides, which is indeed feasible but comes with quite a few requirements. The vehicle must be a small non-commercial car, typically a new car within 6 years, with an engine displacement of 1.6 liters or more. Some cities also require a wheelbase exceeding 2.6 meters or compliance with pure electric mileage standards. My car is a 2018 model with a 1.8L engine, which just meets the criteria. A driving experience of over three years is mandatory—I have five years of driving experience, so no issue there—but there must be no records of drunk driving or major traffic violations. During registration, you need to upload photos of your driver’s license and vehicle registration certificate on the Didi app, and apply for a ride-hailing transport permit and driver’s certificate, which requires an in-person review at the local transportation authority. Insurance must also be switched to commercial coverage, with higher premiums, as regular car insurance won’t cover accidents during ridesharing. Driving for Didi can be quite profitable, especially during peak hours in the morning and evening, but fuel costs and vehicle wear and tear are significant expenses. I’d advise newcomers to carefully calculate costs, start by familiarizing themselves with urban routes, and prioritize safe driving over rushing.
