E-Hailing Vehicle Transport Certificate

1. Definition and Regulatory Basis

The E-Hailing Vehicle Transport Certificate (commonly known as the "vehicle permit") is a statutory credential issued pursuant to the "Interim Measures for the Management of Online Ride-Hailing Operation and Service", certifying that a vehicle is legally authorised to provide e-hailing commercial services. This certificate is issued and administered by the municipal or district-level taxi regulatory authorities, and together with the "E-Hailing Driver's Certificate" (driver permit), it constitutes the mandatory "dual-licence" framework for compliant e-hailing operations.

2. Eligibility Criteria

In accordance with Article 12 of the "Interim Measures for the Management of Online Ride-Hailing Operation and Service", vehicles intended for e-hailing operations must fulfil the following baseline requirements:

• Vehicle Type: Passenger cars with a seating capacity of 7 seats or fewer.

• Equipment Specifications: Fitted with an on-board satellite positioning device featuring journey recording capabilities, as well as an emergency panic button system.

• Roadworthiness Standards: Technical and mechanical specifications must comply with all relevant operational safety standards.

Specific vehicle standards and operating guidelines are determined by local municipal transport authorities based on local prerequisites, covering vehicle wheelbase, driving range, vehicle age limits, and fuel types (e.g. certain jurisdictions mandate the use of New Energy Vehicles/EVs).

3. Application and Issuance Workflow

• Application Method: The registered vehicle owner or the e-hailing platform operator submits an application to the local transport authority in the operating jurisdiction.

• Issuance Criteria: Upon passing verification, the vehicle's registered usage type must be officially amended to "App-Based Taxi Passenger Transport". The licensing authority will issue the transport certificate within the stipulated timeframe (typically within 5 working days) upon receiving clearance from traffic police management.

• Validity Period: The permit's validity period is set by local authorities and is generally tied to the vehicle's statutory service lifespan or operating term (for instance, the maximum 8-year e-hailing service cap minus the vehicle's current age).

4. Permit Management & Compliance

• Operational Boundary: E-hailing vehicles must strictly operate within their licensed jurisdiction; for cross-boundary journeys, either the pick-up origin or the drop-off destination must fall within the authorised zone.

• Prohibited Activities: Forging, tampering with, or utilising forged, altered, or expired E-Hailing Vehicle Transport Certificates for commercial operations is strictly prohibited by law.

5. Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Unlicensed Operations: Operating an e-hailing service without a valid E-Hailing Vehicle Transport Certificate will result in a rectification order and formal warning from the county-level or higher transport authority, along with a compound fine ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 yuan imposed on the offender.

• Illegal Dispatch by Platforms: Where an e-hailing platform operator dispatches unlicensed vehicles lacking valid transport certificates, a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 yuan will be levied per offence; in severe circumstances, fines will escalate to between 10,000 and 30,000 yuan.