Xe om (motorbike taxi) drivers in HCM City may have to group up and register with authorities, plus wear uniforms, according to a governmental decree to take effect on May 20.

VietNamNet Bridge – Xe om (motorbike taxi) drivers in HCM City may have to group up and register with authorities, plus wear uniforms, according to a governmental decree to take effect on May 20.

Xe om drivers must now wear uniforms

Catching xe om to Ta Phin village

Xe om drivers to get business licences

So far, xe om drivers have not been regulated in Vietnam. Any person who owns a motorbike can become a xe om driver. They can sit on the pavement to wait for passengers, negotiate the price and then carry them to any address.

The Government recently issued Decree 34, which will take effect on May 25, on administrative fines for land traffic. Under this decree, xe om drivers must wear uniforms and have a “xe om” plate on their vehicle, otherwise they will be fined 40,000 to 60,000 dong.

HCM City authorities have introduced a draft regulation on management and use of vehicles to transport passengers or goods in HCM City. Accordingly, xe om drivers are not allowed to work individually. They have to form a group to register with district-level People’s Committees to get “xe om” plates, which are valid for five years. Xe om drivers will also have to wear uniforms with a logo designed for their group.

In addition, xe om drivers will have to pick up passenger at xe om stations set by area governments.

The draft regulation is presently being considered by the districts.

PV