What kind of driver's license is needed to drive a taxi?
4 Answers
To drive a taxi, you need to hold a Class C or higher driver's license, or have at least 3 years of safe driving experience with a Class B2, B1, or A1 license. In addition to the driver's license, you must register with the local transportation management department, pass a unified training and examination, and obtain a taxi driver's qualification certificate issued by the transportation management department. Only after registration with the transportation management department can you engage in taxi operations. To drive a taxi, you also need the following documents: Taxi driver's work permit; Vehicle registration certificate; Health certificate. Taxi drivers must also meet the following requirements: Have a permanent residence in the local jurisdiction, be between 18 and 55 years old, have good conduct, and no criminal record; Possess good professional ethics and at least a junior high school education, be in good health, and free from infectious diseases; Be familiar with the local streets, routes, and geographical locations; Specific requirements for the taxi driver's qualification certificate: No records of traffic crime, dangerous driving crime, drug use, or drunk driving, and no accumulation of 12 penalty points in the last 3 consecutive scoring cycles; No records of violent crimes; Other conditions stipulated by the local municipal government.
Getting my taxi driver's license was quite an ordeal! A regular C1 license is the foundation, but to operate a commercial vehicle, you must additionally obtain a 'Road Passenger Transport Driver's Certificate.' This certificate requires at least three years of driving experience with a regular license, being under 60 years old, and passing an exam administered by the local transportation authority. I spent two weeks memorizing the question bank, which covered urban road planning, passenger first aid knowledge, and even troubleshooting fare meters. The exam consisted of a written test and a road test, with the latter specifically evaluating driving skills in complex urban areas. After obtaining the certificate, annual continuing education is mandatory—far stricter than for a regular license. Most importantly, your driving record must be clean, with no serious violations like drunk driving.
Remember that both certificates are indispensable: the driver's license must cover C1/C2 vehicle types, and you also need to obtain the 'Taxi Driver Vocational Qualification Certificate.' For registration, bring your ID card, a driver's license held for over three years, and a certificate proving no major accidents. The theoretical exam covers regulations, geography, and service standards, while the practical test includes safety inspections and driving in specific scenarios. The most troublesome part is dealing with various departments—from registering at the transportation bureau to attending training and exams, and finally receiving the service supervision card, the whole process takes about two months. Some cities even require memorizing the main road maps of the entire city, so it's advisable to practice simulated ride-hailing routes using map software in advance.
To operate a taxi, at least three certificates must be combined: first, hold a Class C driver's license issued by the public security authority; second, obtain the "Taxi Driver Professional Qualification Certificate"; and finally, apply for a service supervision card. Special attention should be paid to the fact that the driver's license must not have accumulated 12 penalty points within three years, and there should be no records of violent crimes or drunk driving. The qualification certificate is valid for six years, but an annual credibility assessment is required. If the driver's license expires or is downgraded, the qualification is immediately lost. Once, my colleague was suspended due to a sudden onset of high blood pressure and could only resume operations after passing a re-examination.
