Guangzhou: Taxi Drivers Won’t Be Required to Hold CET-4 English Certificate

Recently, the Guangzhou Municipal Transportation Bureau released an explanation on its official website regarding the public feedback received for the “Guangzhou Taxi Vehicle Appearance and Driver Service Standards (Draft for Public Comment).” Among the suggestions submitted, one proposal that taxi drivers must understand both Cantonese and English and hold a CET-4 (College English Test Band 4) certificate was not adopted by the authorities.

Between June 6 and July 5, the Bureau collected 79 pieces of feedback from the public. After review, 22 suggestions were accepted, 2 were partially accepted, 9 were rejected after evaluation, and 46 were deemed unrelated to the proposed standards.

✅ Accepted Suggestions: Proper Attire, No Refusal, No Overcharging

Among the accepted opinions, citizens suggested that the clause about assisting passengers with luggage or opening car doors should be modified to say:

• “Assist elderly, young, sick, disabled, or pregnant passengers when boarding.”
• “Proactively help passengers in need place luggage in the trunk.”
• “Assist passengers in retrieving luggage from the car when necessary.”
• These revisions were incorporated into the updated draft.

Other accepted items include:

• Drivers must wear proper uniforms.
• No refusal of passengers.
• No bargaining or overcharging.
• Drive safely and smoothly.

The draft also requires taxis and ride-hailing vehicles to properly adjust the regenerative braking mode of new energy vehicles (NEVs) to reduce jerking during acceleration or braking, thereby improving passenger comfort.

Citizens’ feedback recommending a clearer phrasing—“reasonably set the NEV regenerative braking mode to reduce jerks and enhance comfort”—was accepted.

❌ Rejected Suggestions: English Certificate and Return Trip Fees

Some citizens proposed allowing drivers to charge return-trip fees for intercity orders. This was not adopted, as the “Interim Measures for the Administration of Online Ride-Hailing Services in Guangzhou” stipulate that ride-hailing fares follow market-based pricing rules. Drivers cannot independently add extra fees such as tolls or parking beyond the platform’s pricing system.

Another public suggestion required taxi drivers to understand both Cantonese and English, hold an English CET-4 certificate, and obtain a national tour guide license to prove service ability.

This was not approved because:

No current law or regulation mandates these requirements.

Such measures would violate the Administrative Licensing Law.

The draft already encourages drivers to use Mandarin, Cantonese, or simple everyday English according to passengers’ needs.

Reporter: Wang Tong, Xinkuaibao Daily