Does registering with Didi make a vehicle an operational one?
4 Answers
No, it has nothing to do with registering on platforms like Didi. To change the usage nature of a personal vehicle (from non-operational to operational), one must first undergo training and obtain a ride-hailing driver's license, then purchase operational vehicle insurance from an insurance company (which is twice the cost of regular private car insurance), and finally apply for the change at the vehicle management office. After the change, the vehicle must be mandatorily scrapped after 15 years, with an operational period of 8 years. Below are the requirements for registering with Didi: 1. Male drivers must be at least 22 years old and no older than 60, while female drivers must be at least 22 years old and no older than 55. 2. A minimum of a C2 or higher class motor vehicle driver's license is required, with a driving experience of over three years. 3. A locally licensed vehicle that matches the driver's license class is required. It doesn't matter if the vehicle is not registered under the driver's name, but the vehicle must be less than six years old and have not exceeded 100,000 kilometers in mileage. 4. No bad records, no history of hit-and-run traffic incidents, and the registrant must not have been responsible for any major traffic accidents in the past three years or have accumulated 12 penalty points for traffic violations within the past year.
I've been driving for over a decade, and registering for Didi isn't as simple as just signing your name. Once you start taking passenger orders on the platform, according to traffic regulations, your vehicle must be reclassified as commercial-use, otherwise it's illegal. I've seen many friends overlook this and get fined thousands when stopped by authorities, with severe cases even leading to vehicle impoundment. Regular private car insurance becomes invalid at this point—if an accident occurs, the insurer will outright deny the claim, leaving you to cover all losses. Worse still, operating without a commercial license could get your Didi account suspended. That's why I recommend visiting the DMV before registering to apply for a 'Network Car-hailing Transport Permit' and switching to commercial ride-hailing insurance. Cutting corners isn't worth the trouble—safety should always come first.
I worked in the insurance industry for several years and handled many claims for Didi car owners. After registering with Didi, the nature of the vehicle changes, and if the operational nature isn't updated, the insurance is likely to deny the claim. Standard insurance policies state that commercial use is prohibited—earning money by transporting passengers counts as operational use, and courts uphold this. If an accident occurs and the insurer finds your ride-hailing records, they can deny the claim, leaving the owner to cover medical and repair costs out of pocket—this happens often. My advice is to switch to a commercial ride-hailing insurance policy before registering with Didi. The premiums may be higher, but it's worth it. Don’t register hastily; first, contact your insurer to explore additional coverage options to protect against risks. Skipping this step can lead to severe consequences—don’t risk major losses for minor savings.
When I first registered with Didi, I thought I could start driving right away with just a click. But a friend reminded me that after registration, the vehicle would be considered for commercial use, and I needed to update my documents and insurance. I procrastinated for a few days, thinking it wasn’t a big deal. Later, I had a minor accident, and when the insurance checked my records, they saw it happened during operating hours and refused to cover the costs. Now I’ve learned my lesson—before registering, I always make sure to clarify the rules to avoid any trouble.
