Didi Driver Requirements in Queensland – Australia

Queensland is the third and most recent state where Didi spread its wings in Australia. In the state, they began in Brisbane, where most Queensland residents live.

The consequence of being a new player in the field is that Didi must compete with several companies that first operate in the state. The biggest and toughest competitor, of course, is Uber, veteran rideshare that has been around since 2014, followed by Ola, an Indian ride-hail startup that managed to deliver more than a million rides in less than half a year after its arrival.

To be able to compete with both of them is to increase the availability of Didi drivers-partners around the city, thereby reducing the waiting time for passengers before the vehicle arrives. To attract new drivers, Didi reduced their commission fees from common rideshare service fee (18% – 25%) to up to 0% fee with Didi Advanced program.

They also offer rewards program which includes guaranteed earnings, trailblazer and referral rewards that could increase your earning.

Where is Didi Available in Queensland?

Queensland is the third state where Didi opened its services in Australia at the end of July 2019. Previously the Chinese ride-hailing giant has operated in several cities in the State of Victoria and New South Wales.

In the state, Didi customers not only can request a ride in the capital city, Brisbane, they can also request to be picked up in the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. If you want to be a driver-partner you can sign up in one of the three cities, once approved you can drive around QLD.

Didi Driver Registration Page

Driver Documents

To become a Didi driver-partner in Queensland, you must be 21 years old or older, be able to drive a passenger vehicle and have the following required documents.

1. Open Driver Licence
   QLD regulations require that every ride booking driver partner be held an Open Driver Licence for 1 year continuously, this type of licence is the same as full or unrestricted licences in other Australian states.
2. Driver Authority (DA)
   The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) requires each ride-booking driver to have a Driver Authorization (DA). It’s a qualification required by the driver of motor vehicles used to provide a public passenger service, in this case, a ride-booking or rideshare service.

   Didi accepts a valid Booked Hire / Taxi category of DA, however, they also accept the Taxi or Limousin category of DA. You will also have to complete a medical exam, criminal record check and driving history check. Visa Entitlement Verification or VEVO check may also be done as part of your DA application.

   You can apply for a DA by download a form and submit your application at a TMR branch nearby.

3. Queensland Compulsory Training
   If you are driving for Didi or another rideshare company, then from August 2019, Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads requires you to take Mandatory Driver Training which includes anti-discrimination, including sexual harassment and disability awareness training.

   You can contact Didi to find out more about this training or you can go to Didi Mandatory Driver Training Page.

Vehicle Documents

Your car must be 4-doors, in excellent condition plus some of the requirements we listed below.

1. CTP Insurance
   The Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) as the regulatory authority responsible for the Compulsory Third Party (CTP) scheme in Queensland requires that every vehicle that will be used in the book hire service to use new insurance class 26 for privately held vehicles or class 4 for hire vehicles .
2. Certificate of Inspection (COI)
   Vehicles used for booked hire service in QLD need to have a periodic inspection to check safety standards. However, new vehicles during the first year after being registered are an exception.

   There are two options where you can conduct inspections, at the TMR Inspection Center or an approved inspection station accredited by TMR.

3. Booked Hire Service Licence (BHSL)
   If you provide booked hire service or commonly known as rideshare service in QLD, then you are required to have a Booked Hire Service Licence (BHSL) which is issued for a 1-year term.

   To be able to get the vehicle licence you must have the correct CTP Class insurance, have a current certificate of inspection (COI) and be registered in Queensland. After getting all the required documents, you can start applying online.

Payment Details

Earning from driving that you get every day will be collected and paid by Didi on a weekly basis. To be able to receive transfers you must include some information below.

1. Bank Account Details
   A correct Bank account details is very important so that your weekly payments are not delayed. You must complete some information such as BSB Code and Bank account number.
2. ABN
   Australian Business Number (ABN) is an 11 digit number that identifies your rideshare business to the government and the public. You can apply or reapply for ABN online directly from the Australian Business Register Website.

Where to Sign up?

Like other rideshare companies, to become a Didi your driver-partner can register on their official website. Make sure you have completed all the requirements needed to get approved quickly. If you don’t have all the documents in hand right now, you can register now and complete the documents later when you get them.