(ECNS) -- Chinese ride-sharing platform Didi Chuxing's Beijing branch has stopped service for cars registered elsewhere in the country, Beijing News reports.
Didi said the adjustment began on Monday, and targets all cars without Beijing license plates in order to conform to the city's new rule.
"In accordance with the requirement of Beijing's transport authority, from March 20 we will gradually halt service for cars with non-Beijing license plates within Beijing's 3rd Ring Road," Didi said in a text message to some of its registered drivers.
"In order to protect car owners' rights and interests, we advise that you return to the place where your car is registered to continue to receive orders, or you can participate in programs for the trading of second-hand cars, new car buying with discounts, or car rentals at preferential prices," it was added.
In late December, Beijing required all drivers for car-hailing services to be permanent residents and their vehicles to be locally registered, a threshold that would disqualify many of the present pool of drivers. It gave a five-month transition period.
In practice, Didi drivers who are not Beijing permanent residents have not been affected so far.
Shanghai has issued a similar rule, and Didi moved to stop service for unqualified cars in January.
