Do vehicles for ride-hailing need to be converted to commercial use?
2 Answers
Private cars used for ride-hailing need to be converted to commercial use. New requirements have been introduced for ride-hailing platform companies, vehicles, and drivers, stipulating that private cars joining ride-hailing platforms must change their vehicle attributes to commercial use. More details are as follows: 1. Method: The Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with multiple ministries, has issued documents requiring platform companies and vehicles to obtain road transport operation licenses, with vehicles also needing an operation permit. The guidelines do not specify requirements for commercial vehicle attributes, but private cars must change their attributes to commercial use if they are to operate as ride-hailing vehicles. 2. Legal Basis: According to the 'Interim Measures for the Management of Online Car-Hailing Services,' applicants must possess both online and offline service capabilities to engage in ride-hailing operations. Online service capabilities are certified once by provincial authorities in the company's registered location and are valid nationwide.
Before starting as a ride-hailing driver, I specifically checked the regulations. The vehicle must be converted to a commercial operating status, which is a legal requirement. If not converted, it will be considered illegal operation, and fines can amount to tens of thousands if caught. After conversion, the vehicle needs to undergo regular annual inspections at the DMV, and the insurance must be switched to commercial vehicle insurance, which is more expensive but ensures safety. Some cities also require higher emission standards for vehicles, so it's important to confirm local policies in advance. I heard from a friend that someone tried to save trouble by not converting, and when an accident occurred, the insurance refused to pay, resulting in a huge loss. In short, the prerequisite for this job is to complete all the necessary procedures properly and not take risks that could affect income and life.
