Unqualified driver puts Didi under fire

Ride-hailing platform Didi is to be fined for using an unqualified driver, the transportation commission said yesterday. 

The driver in question, Li, caused an accident Tuesday as he attempted to flee from police trying to give him a ticket. 

Li is neither a Shanghai resident nor holds a Shanghai driver's license. Rules that came into force in December 2016 require drivers working for internet taxi-hailing services to be city residents driving Shanghai-plated cars.

Li registered with Didi in August 2016, but only started work March this year. 

The company admits that they are still giving orders to unqualified drivers like Li and said they are working to resolve the matter. 

The company could be fined as much as 100,000 yuan (US$14,600). Li also faces a fine of up to 30,000 yuan, over and above any other penalty for his traffic offenses.

On Tuesday morning near the crossroads of Sichuan Road M. and Hankou Road, Li drove off as police were ticketing him for illegal parking, injuring a street cleaner.

Li is now in detention and could face criminal charges.