Grab surprised by new govt requirements imposed on e-hailing drivers

E-hailing operator Grab said it was taken aback by two new requirements imposed on e-hailing drivers as new regulations on the industry takes into effect on Oct 12.

The two new requirements by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) are a printed copy of the EVP (e-hailing vehicle permit) and a need to change vehicle code to ‘AH’ (private e-hailing).

“We are taken aback by this sudden change, especially when we are only a few days away from the enforcement date.

“While we negotiate with the relevant authorities, we urge you to do the necessary to meet the full list of requirements by Oct 12,” it said in a message to their drivers that was posted on their website.

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The requirements were communicated during a meeting between APAD, JPJ and e-hailing operators last Friday.

In May, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said e-hailing drivers had been given the flexibility of not changing their vehicle category from individual private vehicle to e-hailing private vehicle (AH).

Previously, e-hailing drivers had to change the usage code of their vehicles from the individual private vehicle code to the AH code at JPJ as one of the requirements to be an e-hailing driver but this was reversed following discussions between the Transport Ministry and JPJ, said Loke.

From Oct 12, vehicles used for e-hailing services also require public service vehicle (PSV) licence, passenger insurance, e-hailing sticker and e-hailing vehicle permit (EVP) from APAD.

Initially, the deadline was July 12 but the Cabinet deferred it to Oct 12 to give more time for the drivers to fulfill the requirements.

The Star