Shanghai Officials Easing Up on Car Hailing Regulations

Shanghai city officials have released revised regulations on car-hailing services, effective immediately.

The first draft of the new rules was released in October, and few changes have been made since then.

One change that will certainly affect expats is a new clause that specifies car-hailing drivers, such as those associated with Uber or Didi Chuxing, not be allowed to pick up passengers at airports and train stations.

Most other changes, however, ease up on previous regulations. “These rules are a significant step toward a more sensible and liberal framework, reflecting input from the public consultation period,” a representative from Didi Chuxing, China’s biggest car-hailing platform, stated.

Drivers whose licenses are registered outside of Shanghai will now be allowed to run a car-hailing business, and drivers providing carpooling services no longer have to be the owner of the vehicle being used. Now, the owner’s parents, spouse or children are also eligible.

Other revised rules have to do with minimum wheelbase requirements, tax declarations and GPS and emergency alert devices. 

[Image via Shanghai Daily]