SINGAPORE -- Malaysia is requiring drivers for ride-hailing services to obtain the same commercial license held by taxi and bus drivers starting Saturday, a move that could severely reduce available vehicles nationwide and lead to higher fares and longer waits.
Grab, which has close to a monopoly over Malaysia's ride-hailing market, said only 41% of its 150,000 drivers had such licenses as of Wednesday. Many are still taking the necessary classes or have not yet taken the exam, and 22% had given up on obtaining the qualification altogether.
