Yantai brings in new rules for ride-hailing industry

Yantai transport authorities introduced strict rules for ride-hailing services operating in the city on Aug 21, aiming to bring order to the industry and improve traffic flow in downtown areas.

According to the rules, which take effect on Oct 1, ride-hailing platforms must apply for an operating license with local authorities. The license will be valid for eight years.

Under the regulation, vehicles offering rides have to be registered in Yantai. The vehicles should have no more than seven seats and be worth more than 120,000 yuan ($18,000). In addition, if the vehicles are gas-powered or hybrids, their wheelbase should be longer than 2.65 meters.

The rules also include a number of restrictions concerning drivers' household registration, age, criminal records and driving experience. Drivers are required to have a local household registration or residence permit in Yantai, they must be younger than retirement age (60 for males, 50 for females), and have no criminal record.

Yantai is not the only city in China to regulate ride-hailing services. Since July 2016, transport authorities in 133 Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, have issued ride-hailing regulations as a response to the central government's July guidelines, which authorized local governments to make their own rules on driver and vehicle qualifications.

Since July 2016, transport authorities in 133 Chinese cities have issued regulations for the ride-hailing industry as a response to the central government's guidelines, which authorized local governments to make their own rules on driver and vehicle qualifications. [Photo/Xinhua]