LTFRB sets accreditation rules for Uber to go legal

The Philippines is among the first countries in the world to legalize and create specific regulations for ride-sharing services like Uber. The LTFRB will start accepting applicants for formal accreditation this June 1.

Here are the list of guidelines and accreditation requirements for the likes of Uber.

1) Passenger Personal Accident Insurance

2) Allowed vehicle type: sedan, AUV, SUV, van only

3) No fixed route

4) Air-conditioning required

5) Driver must be 21 years old and registered with LTFRB (perhaps to get professional driver’s license)

6) Vehicle must not be more than 3 years old from date of manufacture

7) Maximum vehicle age limit of 7 years from date of manufacture

8) Maximum 7 passengers, including driver

10) One year validity of accreditation

11) Vehicles will need to put some sort of signage to differentiate them from private vehicles

12) Drivers are prohibited from regular hailing passengers not using the app

13) Drivers must provide receipts

14) Must register with the BIR (probably sole prop)

Accreditation fee is Php10,000USD 170INR 14,446EUR 162CNY 1,241 and an application fee of Php510USD 9INR 737EUR 8CNY 63 is charged for the first 2 cars.

There has been a lot of debate surrounding the growth of ride-sharing apps since last year. The discussion revolved around the struggle between technology innovation vs. security and regulation (see our story “The Uber Case: In defense of LTFRB“).