ALL 16 licensed online ride-hailing platforms in Shanghai have been ordered to clear out non-local plate cars as well as drivers using fake identities by Thursday.

The city’s traffic authority yesterday sent eight ride share companies information about some 34,000 illegal cars that had been spotted through the city’s supervisory database or from check points on streets.

The other eight companies haven’t yet uploaded all their information about cars and drivers to the supervisory database. They were urged to comply as soon as possible.

“Online ride-hailing is an emerging business model that plays an important role,” said an officer with the traffic authority.

“The platforms which neglect or even jeopardize the rules will punished, or have their certificate revoked.”

The authority said companies should assist drivers who have Shanghai residency but no online ride-hailing license with their applications.

The authority also called for a better order dispatching mechanism.

The platforms should also take measures to prevent drivers from cherry-picking.

Drivers with criminal record should not be hired under any circumstances.

The companies were ordered to report rectification to the traffic authority by 3pm on Thursday.

Didi Chuxing, however, is not among the 16 companies as it hasn’t yet gained a license for online ride-hailing in the city.