How to Sign Up for DiDi in Australia — Step by Step Guide (2026)

DiDi is one of Australia's fastest growing rideshare platforms, operating across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and the Gold Coast. If you are thinking about becoming a DiDi driver, the signup process is straightforward — but knowing exactly what to prepare before you start saves a lot of time and avoids unnecessary delays.

This step by step guide walks you through everything you need to sign up for DiDi in Australia in 2026, from gathering your documents to accepting your very first trip.

Before You Start — What You Need to Have Ready

Getting your documents and requirements sorted before you open the app is the single most effective way to speed up your approval. Drivers who apply with incomplete documents often wait days longer than necessary simply because of back and forth on missing paperwork.

Here is everything you need to have ready before beginning your DiDi application.

Personal Requirements Checklist

• Valid Australian driver's licence — held for a minimum of 12 months
• Minimum age of 21 years
• Legal right to work in Australia
• Australian Business Number — register free at abr.gov.au if you do not already have one
• Australian bank account for weekly payment deposits
• Smartphone running iOS or Android to operate the DiDi driver app

Vehicle Requirements Checklist

• 4-door vehicle with a minimum of 4 passenger seats excluding the driver
• Model year 2010 or newer
• Fully functional air conditioning
• Valid registration in your state or territory
• No significant cosmetic damage — no major dents, cracks, or broken fittings
• Clean interior and exterior

Victoria-Specific Requirements (Melbourne Drivers)

If you are based in Melbourne or anywhere in Victoria, you also need:

• Commercial Passenger Vehicle (CPV) driver accreditation from the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning
• Hire and reward vehicle authorisation for your vehicle
• Insurance that explicitly covers rideshare or hire and reward use

Apply for your CPV accreditation before starting your DiDi application. Processing takes 1 to 3 weeks and is the most common reason Melbourne drivers experience delays.

Step 1 — Download the DiDi Driver App

Start by downloading the DiDi Driver app on your smartphone. It is available free on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Important — make sure you download the DiDi Driver app, not the DiDi passenger app. They are separate applications. Search specifically for DiDi Driver to find the correct one.

Once downloaded, open the app and select your country as Australia.

Step 2 — Create Your Driver Account

On the signup screen, enter your:

• Mobile phone number — DiDi will send a verification SMS code
• Full legal name as it appears on your driver's licence
• Email address
• City you plan to drive in

Once your mobile number is verified, you will be prompted to set a password and complete your profile. Take your time filling in these details accurately — discrepancies between your application and your documents are a common cause of approval delays.

Step 3 — Enter Your Vehicle Details

After creating your account, you will be asked to provide details about the vehicle you plan to drive. Enter:

• Vehicle make and model
• Year of manufacture
• Colour
• Registration plate number
• State of registration

DiDi will use these details to confirm your vehicle meets their requirements and to determine which service tiers you are eligible for — standard DiDi, DiDi Max, or others depending on your vehicle type and city.

Step 4 — Upload Your Documents

This is the most important step in the application process. DiDi requires clear, legible photos or scans of each required document. Blurry, cropped, or poorly lit images are the most common reason applications stall at this stage.

Documents to Upload

Personal documents:

• Front of your Australian driver's licence
• Back of your Australian driver's licence
• ABN confirmation document or screenshot from the ABR website

Vehicle documents:

• Current vehicle registration certificate
• Certificate of currency from your insurer confirming rideshare or hire and reward cover

Victoria-specific documents (Melbourne drivers):

• CPV driver accreditation certificate
• Hire and reward vehicle authorisation

Tips for uploading documents successfully:

• Photograph documents on a plain dark background for contrast
• Ensure all four corners of the document are visible
• Use good natural lighting — avoid flash glare
• Check that all text is readable before submitting

Step 5 — Complete the Background Check

DiDi conducts a national criminal history check on all driver applicants through a third-party provider. After submitting your documents, you will receive an email with a link to initiate this check separately.

The background check typically takes 3 to 7 business days. You do not need to do anything during this time other than wait for the result. DiDi will notify you by email and in-app once it is complete.

If your background check returns any results, DiDi's safety team will review your application individually. Minor or old matters do not necessarily disqualify you — DiDi reviews each case on its merits.

Step 6 — Vehicle Inspection (If Required)

Depending on your vehicle's age, condition, and the city you are applying in, DiDi may require an in-person vehicle inspection before approving your account.

The app will advise you during the signup process whether an inspection is required for your specific vehicle. If it is, you will be directed to an approved inspection location near you.

Inspections check:

• Overall vehicle condition inside and out
• Functioning air conditioning
• Seatbelts in all positions
• Mirrors and lights
• General roadworthiness

If your vehicle fails inspection, DiDi will advise you of the specific issues. Most common failure reasons are cosmetic damage, non-functioning air conditioning, or worn seatbelts — all of which are straightforward to address before a re-inspection.

Step 7 — Account Activation

Once your documents are approved, your background check clears, and any required inspection is passed, DiDi will activate your driver account. You will receive a notification in the app and a confirmation email.

Account activation typically happens automatically and immediately once all checks are cleared. You do not need to contact DiDi to trigger this.

Step 8 — Set Up Your Payment Details

Before going online for your first trip, confirm your payment details are correctly set up in the app. Navigate to the earnings or payment section and enter your Australian bank account details — BSB and account number.

DiDi pays drivers weekly, typically on a set day each week. Confirm the payment schedule in your app settings so you know when to expect your first payment.

Step 9 — Go Online and Accept Your First Trip

You are now ready to drive. Open the DiDi driver app, ensure your vehicle is clean and roadworthy, and toggle the online switch to start receiving trip requests.

For your first few trips:

• Stay in a high-demand area — CBD or busy suburban retail strip
• Go online during a peak window — weekday lunch, evening commute, or Friday and Saturday night
• Confirm the passenger's name before starting the trip
• Follow the navigation and drop-off instructions carefully
• Ask the passenger to rate their experience — early ratings build your account standing quickly

How Long Does DiDi Approval Take in Australia?

Most applicants move from application to first trip within 1 to 2 weeks. Here is a typical timeline:

The background check is almost always the longest part of the process. Applying on a Monday gives you the best chance of clearing all checks within the same week.

Do You Need to Buy a Car to Drive for DiDi?

No. You can use a rental car to drive for DiDi in Australia, provided the rental agreement explicitly permits rideshare or commercial use. This is an important detail — standard rental agreements typically exclude commercial activity, so always confirm in writing before accepting trips.

At Baraka Car Rentals in Tarneit, Melbourne, we offer vehicles available for DiDi and Uber rideshare use with no long-term commitment. Flexible weekly terms mean you can start earning on DiDi immediately without the upfront cost of purchasing a vehicle.

Call 0461 555 511, email admin@barakacarrental.com.au, or visit barakacarrental.com.au.

Common Reasons DiDi Applications Are Delayed

• Blurry or incomplete document photos
• Missing ABN
• CPV accreditation not yet processed (Victoria)
• Insurance certificate does not specify rideshare cover
• Background check flagging items for manual review
• Vehicle inspection required but not yet booked

Addressing each of these before you apply eliminates the most common delay points and gets you on the road faster.

Final Word

Signing up for DiDi in Australia in 2026 is a straightforward process when you know what to prepare. Gather your documents, apply early in the week, and make sure your Victoria accreditation is in order if you are a Melbourne driver.

Once you are approved, combining DiDi with Uber is the most effective earning strategy — DiDi's lower commission rate means you keep more per trip, and Uber's larger rider base fills the gaps.

If you need a rideshare-approved rental vehicle to get started, Baraka Car Rentals in Tarneit is ready to help.

Call 0461 555 511, email admin@barakacarrental.com.au, or visit barakacarrental.com.au.