It has been announced that drivers of ride-sharing services will soon have to buy commercial insurance if they want to continue operating their businesses legally. According to the New Straits Times, deputy transport minister Datuk Aziz Kaprawi made the announcement and said that further details will be revealed in due time.
Taxi operators have long been subject to having commercial insurances which offer a degree of protection to their customers in the event of an accident. Uber and Grab (previously known as GrabCar) drivers been operating as private vehicle owners that offer “rides” for a fee.
But soon, it looks like the government will make it compulsory for Uber and Grab drivers to buy commercial licenses in order to continue their operations. The move is seen as one that will better regulate these services.
“We want to regulate the industry so that these vehicles are safe for people to ride in. We also want to legalise the industry as the number of phone apps will continue to grow. Malaysians find these apps very convenient in terms of securing public transport,” said Kaprawi.
As previously reported, the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD), the Transport Ministry and several representatives from ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Grab, are in the middle of discussing the outcome of these ride-sharing services.
It was also reported that while Uber and Grab’s operations may be on the path to being legalised, it will have to adhere to several key terms – many of which regular taxi drivers typically encounter. On top of having commercial insurances as mentioned, periodic vehicle inspections by Puspakom is likely to be another requirement. No timeline has been provided as to when a final outcome on the matter would be tabled.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
This seems fair….
Better for passengers and driver too. Probably most of the unsafe Myvi and Vivas UberX cars will be off the roads. Government should also force Uber cars to go through Puspakom check every 6 months and driver health check every year.
Tell us. How can govt regulate uber? All the cars are unmarked.
Bodoh punye menteri and bodoh punye implementation. Uber and Grab is legal. You gome ppl just want to pressure them with so many rules so you can get bribes. U tink ppl tink,,you do this for ppl safety… Nah!!! Take my finger!!!! If you so care about ppl, you would not let so many milotins taxi’s on the roads, cheating drivers, not safety at all taxis in the road and etc2….
If its so legal, why it was banned in Germany, France, Korea, etc?
talk after review Malaysia taxis infamous ranking. Or else try one
Doesnt matter. Its either legal or illegal. Just becoz police is useless, doesnt gip u the right to illegally own a gun.
It’s not for passenger safety…. it’s for passenger protection… in case of any accidents… those uber driver normal car insurance doesn’t cover the passenger, even worse those driver won’t even be able to claim insurance coz they breached the insurance agreement by using their car as commercial vehicle… stop being childish and comment reasonably…
Better protection to passengers it seems. Furthermore, only committed uber driver will go for it,thus will prevent culprit/rapist/criminals from act as uber driver hopefully. The downside is maybe will effect the uber fee a bit.. Just my opinion.
Uber already has their own insurance protection for their passengers, I don’t see any point why commercial insurance is required.