The Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (the “Regulations”) came into force on 5th April 2024. This follows the significant growth of online ride hailing services over the last decade, leading to the entry of large multinational players such as Yango, on the Zambian market. Despite online ride hailing services operating in Zambia since the mid-2010s, there has been significant lack of regulation governing how they should operate. Therefore, these regulations are necessary and timely.
Salient provisions of the Regulations
- Regulation 26A – Operator of Online Ride Hailing Application
Online ride hailing applications must provide features for estimating distances and fares that consider time. This information should be electronically communicated to the passenger beforehand with a final fare at the end of the trip. The application should also electronically provide details of the driver of the motor vehicle and record details of the passenger including; their national registration card numbers, and phone numbers. Finally, the application must work consistently, with no interruptions.
- Regulation 26B- Requirements for Registering Vehicle on Applications
All ride hailing operators must submit a certified copy of vehicle road service license for the vehicle being used for such a service and a Zambia Police clearance certificate. A person cannot operate as a driver on any mobile application in Zambia without Police clearance. Additionally, drivers must provide their residential address and contact details on the application.
Registration on the application is prohibited for people who fail to meet the requirements mentioned above or have received a prison sentence of more than six months.
Conclusion
These Regulations, mark a significant advancement in Zambia’s expanding online ride hailing service industry and improve public safety and quality assurance within the industry provided they are enforced
