A new regulation has been introduced mandating ride-hailing drivers to register their vehicles as a form of public transport and obtain official public driving licenses, aimed at strengthening safety and consumer protections.
The regulation, issued by the Electronic Transactions Commission under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, was published in the Royal Gazette on July 4. It classifies ride-hailing services as a “digital platform business with specific characteristics” under Section 18(3) of the 2022 Royal Decree on Digital Platform Services. These new rules will come into effect 90 days after publication.
According to the regulation, drivers are required to operate vehicles registered for public transport and possess valid public driving licenses. They must also verify their identity daily using facial recognition technology, share real-time GPS data, and are prohibited from sharing accounts.
Passengers will need to verify their identity prior to using the service, and will have access to estimated fare information, vehicle type options, and easier complaint submission via the platforms. Platform operators are obliged to submit annual reports to the Department of Land Transport, follow legally mandated fare structures, and maintain transparency by providing trip details such as driver information, vehicle registration, pricing, and routes.
Additionally, operators must implement emergency assistance features and maintain a 24-hour incident reporting hotline.
A concurrent announcement from the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) emphasizes that platforms must comply with the decree to ensure proper oversight of services that may impact national interests.
This measure is part of the government’s broader initiative to boost transparency and safeguard users of app-based transportation services.