Summary of Key Points
This year, cities such as Jinan, Nanjing, Xi'an, and Quanzhou have implemented a "one vehicle, one code" policy for online car-hailing services. Each compliant vehicle is assigned a unique QR code that links to the vehicle's transportation license, the driver's certification, and the platform's qualifications. Passengers can scan this code to verify the legitimacy of the service. The aim of this measure is to address issues such as fake compliance, mismatch between drivers and vehicles, and illegal operations. Drivers have generally welcomed the change, and analysts believe it marks the end of the "wild growth" phase of the online car-hailing industry, as compliance becomes a mandatory requirement. This policy will also lead to a reshuffle of the industry: larger, compliant platforms will become more stable, while smaller ones face increased pressure due to the elimination of non-compliant vehicles.
Detailed Analysis
1. "One Vehicle, One Code": Passengers Can Verify Legitimacy with a Scan
The "one vehicle, one code" policy assigns each compliant online car a unique QR code, similar to an ID card. This code contains information about the vehicle's transportation license (proving it is legally authorized to operate), the driver's certification (proving their qualifications), and the platform's compliance status. By scanning the code, passengers can instantly determine if they are riding in a legitimate service, avoiding issues like counterfeit logos or unauthorized drivers. For example, Jinan required all compliant vehicles in the city to have the code affixed by July 15th, and Nanjing has explicitly stated that the code can be used for verification.
2. What Do Drivers Think?
Most drivers see this as a positive development, expecting an increase in orders. For instance, Driver Zhu from CaoCao Chuxing uploaded his documents and affixed the code in May, saying, "Many passengers now scan the code to check our qualifications, which makes everyone feel more secure." This policy helps solve the problem of mismatch between registered drivers and actual operators; non-compliant drivers will be removed, allowing compliant ones to take on more orders.
3. Smarter Regulation: From Manual Inspections to Public Oversight
Previously, regulatory authorities had to randomly inspect vehicles on the road, which was time-consuming and prone to oversight. With the "one vehicle, one code" system, passengers act as supervisors by scanning the codes, helping authorities verify compliance in real-time. The data is also connected online, so platforms cannot assign orders to vehicles without a valid code (otherwise, they face consequences). Analysts describe this as a form of "digital co-governance" that reduces enforcement costs and holds platforms accountable, while also making it easier for passengers to seek redress if issues arise.
4. A Cleaner Industry Environment
The direct result of this policy is the elimination of non-compliant vehicles. Vehicles without licenses or drivers without certifications could previously accept orders, leading to unfair pricing, poor service, and safety hazards. Now, these non-compliant entities must either obtain the necessary qualifications (increasing costs) or be phased out. Only compliant vehicles will remain, creating a cleaner and safer industry environment for passengers.
5. Industry Reshuffle: Larger Platforms Gain Advantage
Smaller platforms that relied on a large number of non-compliant vehicles to lower costs and compete on price (e.g., using private cars without compliance fees) will face challenges. They must either comply with the new regulations (increasing costs and losing price advantages) or run out of eligible vehicles, leading to customer loss. Larger platforms like Didi and CaoCao Chuxing, which were already compliant, will have a greater market share due to their lower adaptation costs. Future competition will focus on quality of service rather than price, squeezing the space for smaller players.
In Conclusion
The "one vehicle, one code" policy is a significant milestone that transforms online car-hailing from a chaotic, unregulated sector into a more regulated and reliable one. Passengers can travel with peace of mind, drivers receive fair treatment, and the industry becomes healthier as a whole. From now on, before boarding an online car, simply scan the code for extra assurance.