Ride-hailing firm inDrive Malaysia slapped with notice of revocation

Ride-hailing firm inDrive Malaysia has been slapped with a notice of revocation by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD). The firm has said that it is currently engaging with relevant regulatory authorities to better understand the situation in order to take the necessary actions, reported Bernama. 

The Russian-based company reportedly added that it is committed to providing safe, reliable and accessible mobility solutions to Malaysia and that it will ensure the continuity of its business in the country.

The notice was reportedly given to inDrive for flouting e-hailing transport guidelines, with complaints against the company claiming that its drivers were not equipped with full regulatory requirements such as the public service vehicle (PSV) and e-hailing vehicle permit (eVP) licenses. There were also several safety concerns related to the quality of drivers on the platform.

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inDrive has three months to return its intermediation business license (IBL) and to respond to the notice.

According to The Rakyat Post, inDrive's services continue uninterrupted amidst the notice from APAD. The news outlet reported that through inDrive's Southeast Asian representatives, the company maintains dedicated communication channels, ensuring all stakeholders stay informed of ongoing developments.

inDrive officially entered Malaysia in 2021, first launching in cities such as Penang, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, and Kota Kinabalu before expanding into the Klang Valley. The e-hailing app, previously known as inDriver, is known for its unique model where passengers propose a fare and receive counteroffers from nearby drivers, giving them control over pricing and driver selection.

The company ran into regulatory trouble in late 2022 when the Road Transport Department suspended its operations for using an expired licence. It later pleaded guilty and was fined RM10,000 FMT and The Rakyat Post reported.

In 2024, the platform faced public backlash after a video of a female passenger being forcefully dragged from a car by an inDrive driver went viral. The driver was charged with assault, and police urged the public to refrain from speculation as investigations continued, Malay Mail reported. Later that year, inDrive launched a safety initiative in collaboration with the police and Women's Aid Organisation. The workshop addressed safety challenges in the e-hailing space, particularly for women and vulnerable riders, as part of its broader push to rebuild trust.

However, inDrive is not the only ride-hailing firm to have faced a termination notice in recent times. In 2023, APAD suspended Maxim for violating the Land Public Transport Act 2010 by allowing vehicles under its charge to operate without valid e-hailing vehicle permits, NST reported. 

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