Singapore: Report Illegal Ride-Hailing Services Via New Channels

Photo Credits: LTA Facebook Page

Singapore has introduced dedicated online reporting channels that make it easier for members of the public and platform workers to report illegal ride-hailing services and other platform work violations by foreigners. These new digital channels represent a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to protect local platform workers from unfair competition and ensure compliance with employment regulations.

The Platform Workers Trilateral Group, comprising the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Ministry of Transport (MOT), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), and Grab Singapore, announced these reporting mechanisms as part of comprehensive recommendations to safeguard platform workers’ livelihoods and well-being.

Two Primary Reporting Channels Established

The authorities have established two distinct online channels to address different types of violations:

For Illegal Ride-Hailing Services: Platform workers and members of the public can submit reports about illegal ride-hailing services provided by foreign-registered cars through the Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) OneMotoring website. This dedicated reporting form was launched on 20 July 2025 as part of LTA’s ongoing crackdown on unlicensed drivers providing point-to-point transport services within Singapore and across the border to Malaysia.

For Illegal Platform Delivery Work: Reports concerning foreigners performing illegal platform delivery work can be submitted through MOM’s “Report an Infringement” webpage. The ministry is also adding a dedicated tab on its website specifically for reporting illegal delivery riders, making it even easier for the public to alert authorities when they observe foreign workers engaging in unauthorised delivery work.

Types of Illegal Activities Targeted

The reporting channels target several specific types of illegal platform work activities that undermine local workers:

Unlicensed Cross-Border Services: Foreign-registered vehicles providing illegal point-to-point rides between Singapore and Malaysia, including Malaysian tour company vehicles operating without proper licensing. Over 100 foreign-registered vehicles have been investigated in 2025 for suspected involvement in illegal cross-border passenger transport services.

Account Misuse: Situations where foreigners use local platform workers’ accounts to perform delivery or ride-hailing work illegally. This practice violates platform operators’ policies and employment regulations, as platform work is reserved for Singapore citizens and permanent residents with valid work agreements.

Unlicensed Local Operations: Foreign drivers operating within Singapore without proper licensing through unlicensed channels such as Telegram chat groups, WhatsApp, or social media platforms rather than authorised ride-hailing applications.

Enhanced Enforcement and Penalties

The new reporting channels complement strengthened enforcement measures and increased penalties for violations. Recent enforcement operations have yielded significant results, with authorities catching over 70 vehicles providing illegal point-to-point services since July 2025. During comprehensive checks involving 644 platform workers, four were arrested for working illegally.

Penalties for Foreigners: Foreign workers performing platform work illegally face severe consequences, including fines of up to S$20,000, imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Convicted offenders are permanently barred from working in Singapore.

Consequences for Locals: Singapore citizens or permanent residents who facilitate illegal arrangements by allowing foreigners to misuse their platform accounts face identical penalties of up to S$20,000 in fines and two years imprisonment.

Cross-Platform Bans: Platform operators have agreed to implement cross-platform bans, meaning any platform worker found to have allowed a foreigner to use their account illegally will be debarred from all major platforms for a minimum of 24 months. This represents a significant escalation from previous individual platform suspensions.

Reporting Process and Information Required

When submitting reports through either channel, the public should provide comprehensive information to assist investigations:

Essential Details: Car registration plate numbers, dates and times of incidents, specific locations where violations occurred, and detailed accounts of the suspected illegal activity.

Supporting Evidence: Photographs or other supporting documentation can be attached to reports, though clear, close-up images are preferred over blurry or distant shots.

Anonymous Reporting: Reporters can choose to remain anonymous to the party being reported against, with their identity and information kept confidential. However, reporters must disclose their identity to authorities for clarification purposes, as incomplete or unclear information cannot be acted upon.

Government Response and Industry Collaboration

The introduction of these reporting channels reflects broader collaborative efforts between government agencies, platform operators, and worker associations. Major platform operators including AmazonFlex, ComfortDelGro Zig, Deliveroo, foodpanda, Gojek, Grab, Lalamove, Ryde, and Tada have committed to implementing the trilateral group’s recommendations.

Strengthened Detection Measures: Platform operators are implementing more frequent and stringent identity verification checks, including regular facial recognition verification and randomised identity checks of both platform workers and outsourced workers.

Improved Reporting Mechanisms: Platform operators must now notify MOM when they suspect platform workers are allowing foreigners to misuse their accounts. This creates a systematic approach to identifying and addressing account abuse.

Enhanced Government Capabilities: Authorities are strengthening their ability to block or remove applications, channels, and advertisements that facilitate illegal ride-matching on uncooperative platforms. This includes recent action against the InDrive app, which was removed from local app stores after facilitating illegal cross-border rides.

Public Safety and Economic Impact

The crackdown on illegal platform work addresses multiple concerns beyond regulatory compliance. Illegal services pose significant safety risks to passengers, as unlicensed operators typically lack proper insurance coverage and safety certifications. These services also create unfair competition for licensed drivers and legitimate platform workers who comply with regulations and pay appropriate taxes and levies.

Recent enforcement efforts have already shown positive results for local platform workers. Labour chief Ng Chee Meng noted that enforcement actions have had a deterrent effect, with some platform workers reporting increased earnings since the clampdown on illegal operators began.

Moving Forward

The establishment of these reporting channels represents part of a comprehensive strategy to protect Singapore’s platform economy while maintaining the flexibility and opportunities that attract workers to gig employment. The trilateral group emphasises that members of the public and platform workers should report suspected illegal activities to authorities rather than confronting suspected violators themselves, ensuring everyone’s safety.

As Singapore continues to evolve its approach to platform work regulation, these new reporting mechanisms provide crucial tools for maintaining fair competition and protecting the livelihoods of legitimate platform workers. The success of these initiatives will depend on continued collaboration between government agencies, platform operators, worker associations, and public participation in reporting violations.

The implementation of these channels demonstrates Singapore’s commitment to adapting its regulatory framework to address the unique challenges posed by the modern gig economy while ensuring that all participants operate within legal boundaries and contribute fairly to the nation’s economic ecosystem.