KUALA LUMPUR: Global mobility platform inDrive has received permanent approval from the Land Public Transport Agency (Apad) to continue operations in Malaysia, following the successful completion of a mandatory three-month regulatory review, providing regulatory certainty for the company as it ramps up driver engagement and market expansion.
The confirmation was announced at a press conference in conjunction with inDrive Malaysia’s 2025 Platinum Drivers Awards today, the company’s largest driver recognition event to date, which brought together more than 150 top-performing drivers from the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor Bahru.
inDrive Malaysia driver operations manager Azlan Anwar said the approval marked a significant milestone for the platform and its driver community.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that Apad has officially confirmed inDrive’s licence to continue operations in Malaysia following the conclusion of the regulatory review,” he said at the press conference, adding that the company worked closely and transparently with regulators throughout the three-month process.
Azlan said the confirmation provides long-term stability for drivers, passengers and the broader mobility ecosystem, while reinforcing the company’s commitment to compliance and safety standards.
He noted that inDrive has strengthened internal procedures, tightened document verification and enhanced audit processes to ensure only compliant drivers are active on the platform.
“Every inDrive driver must hold a valid public service vehicle licence, e-hailing insurance and a roadworthy vehicle. Only after these criteria are met, and Apad approves the EVP application, will the driver be activated,” he said.
Additional safeguards, including stricter standard operating procedures and validation layers, have also been implemented to prevent forged or inconsistent documentation, he added.
inDrive country representative Govin Kumaar confirmed that the approval granted by Apad is permanent, subject to standard regulatory requirements. “What we have received is a permanent confirmation of our e-hailing licence in Malaysia. We are here for the long term.”
With regulatory uncertainty resolved, inDrive is now turning its attention to growth.
Govin said Malaysia remains one of the company’s key markets in Southeast Asia, with expansion plans extending beyond its current strongholds in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Penang.
“While our focus remains on the major cities, we are actively looking to expand our presence across the country and will not sideline other states,” he said, adding that Sabah and Sarawak remain on the company’s radar.
However, operations have yet to commence there.
On driver numbers, Govin said inDrive is close to achieving its previously stated target of 40,000 drivers nationwide, with about 95% of the goal already met.
However, he declined to disclose the platform’s exact driver count, citing confidentiality.
To close the remaining gap, the company is rolling out mobile driver acquisition initiatives in Kuala Lumpur, alongside physical driver-support kiosks in Johor Bahru and Penang, which have helped accelerate onboarding.
The approval announcement coincided with the conclusion of the nationwide Platinum Drivers Giveaway, which recognised top-performing drivers for service quality, ride completion and community contribution.
Azlan said initiatives such as the Platinum Drivers Programme underscore inDrive’s long-term commitment to driver empowerment and income sustainability, particularly given its low commission structure and peer-to-peer pricing model.
“Our business model ensures drivers get more of what they earn, which is especially meaningful for those relying on e-hailing as a flexible and sustainable source of income,” he added.
On regulatory developments affecting the gig economy, Govin said it is premature to assess the impact of proposed gig worker legislation on operating costs, as guidelines have yet to be finalised.
“We are waiting for clarity on implementation. For now, we prefer to focus on the positives for drivers,” he said.
When asked about compliance outcomes following data sharing with regulators during the review period, the company declined to disclose the number of drivers off-boarded. Still, it stressed that all non-compliant drivers have been removed.
“We are 100% compliant now with all regulatory documents and features,” Govin said.
Looking ahead, inDrive said it will continue investing in driver support programmes, compliance systems and safety features, including real-time tracking, SOS functions and 24/7 support, as it positions itself for sustainable growth in Malaysia’s competitive ride-hailing market.
