What are the requirements and documents needed to operate a ride-hailing service?

[Gonçalves]

To operate a ride-hailing service, you need to obtain an operation permit from the Industrial and Commercial Administration Bureau. The following are the specific requirements for joining Didi Express: 1. Vehicle age requirement: For Didi Express, the vehicle must be less than 8 years old, and for premium services, less than 6 years old; the mileage should be under 100,000 kilometers, and the vehicle must be in good condition. 2. Compliance with ride-hailing requirements: All traffic violations must be resolved, and the vehicle must have local license plates and a ride-hailing operation permit, meeting local ride-hailing regulations. 3. Luxury vehicle requirements: Didi's luxury vehicle service has stricter criteria and is currently only available in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou. Eligible luxury models include Audi A6L, Audi A6 (imported), Audi A8L; BMW 5 Series, BMW 5 Series (imported), BMW 7 Series; Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Mercedes-Benz V-Class, Mercedes-Benz Vito, Mercedes-Benz S-Class; Tesla Model-S, and Tesla Model-X.

[CharlotteAnn]

When I started driving for ride-hailing platforms last year, I thoroughly researched these requirements. There are three main conditions for operating express services: Personally, you must be at least 21 years old with a C2 or higher driver's license and 3 years of driving experience. For the vehicle, it must be a locally registered car with fewer than 7 seats, typically no older than 5 years. The most crucial documents are the ride-hailing driver's license and the vehicle transport permit. First, for the driver's license, you need to undergo a medical examination at a qualified hospital, then obtain a certificate from the traffic management department proving no major accidents in the past 3 years, and finally apply for an exam on the platform—only after passing will you receive the license. The vehicle transport permit is slightly more troublesome, requiring changing the private car to commercial use, which increases insurance costs. Initially, the process seemed complicated, but now it's much more convenient as most local government apps allow online applications.

[LeAbel]

We veteran drivers often chat about the current dual-certificate requirements. Having a driving experience of at least three years is a hard threshold, and there must be no records of drunk or drug driving. There are many specifics regarding the vehicle—my new energy vehicle just meets the standards: a wheelbase of over 2650mm, installation of an alarm device, and no random advertisements on the roof. The most crucial part is having all the necessary licenses and certificates. The driver's qualification certificate now requires completing platform-specified training hours before taking the exam. Many cities require Mandarin proficiency, so it's advisable to test in advance. After converting to a commercial vehicle, an additional annual inspection is required, and maintenance must keep up. Before accepting orders, always check if the insurance policy includes commercial coverage.

[AliviaAnn]

The key is the combination of dual certificates with compliant vehicles. The driver qualification exam tests local road conditions, and mine lasted 30 minutes. To apply for the vehicle transport permit, you need to bring the vehicle license to the traffic management office. Remember to settle any traffic violations beforehand. The most troublesome issue is vehicle age limits—for example, Beijing requires vehicles to be less than 3 years old, but renewal is possible. New energy vehicles have clear advantages, with lower entry barriers in many cities. Pay special attention to converting vehicle insurance to commercial use, as premiums will double but are mandatory. It's advisable to prioritize registering with local licensed platforms, as out-of-town vehicles face restrictions in many cities.