E-Hailing Driver Permit

1. Definition and Legal Basis

The Online Booking Taxi Driver Permit (commonly referred to as the "E-hailing Driver Permit" or "Driver's Card") is a statutory vocational qualification certificate issued under the "Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Booking Taxi Operations and Services", serving as a mandatory prerequisite for drivers providing e-hailing services. Issued and administered by the municipal taxi administrative authority of cities divided into districts, this credential, together with the "Online Booking Taxi Transport Permit" (Vehicle Permit), forms the "dual-permit" regulatory framework for compliant e-hailing operations.

2. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for an e-hailing driver permit must satisfy both the statutory baseline criteria and additional requirements stipulated by local governments:

• Driving Experience: Hold a valid motor vehicle driving licence for the corresponding vehicle class with over 3 years of driving experience.

• Clean Criminal and Driving Record: No criminal record for traffic accidents or dangerous driving, no history of drug abuse, no drink-driving offences, and no record of accumulating 12 demerit points within the last 3 consecutive scoring cycles.

• No Record of Violent Crime: Zero record of violent crime convictions.

• Localised Requirements: Certain cities impose additional criteria regarding household registration (Hukou), residence permits, or age caps, subject to local municipal rules. In recent years, numerous regions have abolished or are progressively exploring the removal of household registration restrictions for e-hailing drivers.

3. Examination and Issuance Procedure

• Examination Content: Comprises the National Common Subject and the Regional Subject. The national common subject tests nationwide taxi industry laws and regulations, professional ethics, and service standards; the regional subject assesses localised taxi policies, regulations, and regional operational requirements.

• Application Procedure: Drivers or e-hailing platform operators submit an application to the municipal taxi administrative authority of the service area, with documentation typically including identification documents, driving licence, and certificates of no criminal record.

• Issuance Timeline: Upon passing both the national common and regional subject examinations, the competent authority shall issue the permit within 10 days from the date of result announcement.

4. Permit Administration and Legal Liabilities

• Validity and Renewal: The permit is generally valid for 3 years. Renewal applications must be lodged with the original issuing authority within 30 days prior to expiry. Failure to renew on time may require re-taking the examinations.

• Platform Registration: Upon obtaining the permit, drivers must execute an employment contract or agreement with an e-hailing platform operator and have their registration filed with the authority before commencing on-road service.

• Demerit Points System: Many jurisdictions enforce a demerit point system for operational non-compliance, where accumulating points to a set threshold may result in suspension of service, mandatory continuing professional development, or retraining and re-examination.

• Penalties for Non-Compliance: Operating or covertly operating e-hailing services without a valid "Online Booking Taxi Driver Permit" will result in a rectification order and a warning from county-level or higher taxi authorities, alongside a fine ranging between RMB 200 and RMB 2,000.