Do private cars need an operating license to operate as ride-hailing vehicles?
2 Answers
Private cars operating as ride-hailing vehicles (such as Didi) require an operating license. According to the "Interim Measures for the Management of Online Car-hailing Services," individuals engaged in the ride-hailing industry must apply for the "Online Car-hailing Vehicle Transport Certificate" and the "Online Car-hailing Driver's License" from the local taxi administration authority. Otherwise, operating a private car as a ride-hailing vehicle without these certificates constitutes illegal operation. If caught, the illegal income will be confiscated, and a substantial fine will be imposed. More details are as follows: Consequences of obtaining the dual certificates: There are no severe consequences for private cars obtaining the dual certificates to operate in the ride-hailing industry. Many people worry that after obtaining the certificates, their car's status will change to a commercial vehicle, requiring mandatory scrapping after 8 years. In reality, current non-commercial vehicles are subject to scrapping regulations based on reaching 600,000 kilometers. Specific situation: After obtaining the dual certificates, the vehicle will indeed be classified as a commercial vehicle. However, if the private car does not exceed 600,000 kilometers within 8 years, it can exit the ride-hailing business and continue to be used as a private car without being scrapped, so there is no need to worry.
I've been driving for several years and came across a colleague who wanted to earn extra money by using his private car for ride-hailing services. At first, he tried to save trouble by picking up passengers without obtaining the necessary permits, but he got caught on the road, was fined a hefty sum, and had his car impounded for a few days. Later, I helped him look into it and found out that in most places, operating a ride-hailing service requires obtaining an operating permit, which means converting the car from private to commercial use and switching to specialized insurance. The process isn’t complicated—just visit the local transportation authority, fill out a form, and wait a few business days, with costs ranging from a few hundred to a thousand yuan. Without the permit, platforms won’t allow official orders, forcing drivers to operate under the radar, which is too risky. In case of an accident, insurance won’t cover it, leading to even greater losses. I suggest anyone considering this plan ahead and avoid regretting it only after being fined. Operating legally ensures peace of mind while earning.
