Private-car hire drivers operating under Uber
and GrabCar will have to get a vocational
licence
LTA will introduce a new Private Hire Car Driver Vocational
Licencing (PDVL) framework. Like for the Taxi Driver Vocational
Licence, this framework ensures that drivers providing chauffeured
services undergo sufficient training on safety and the regulations
for providing such services.
Applicants will also undergo background screening, and be subject
to a demerit point system for errant conduct, like touting and
soliciting street-hail jobs.
As per current criteria, private hire car drivers must either be
employed as a driver in a limousine company, or be registered as an
owner of a chauffeured services company.
For the safety of commuters, applicants for the licence must have a
minimum driving experience of two years.
Taxi Driver Vocational Licence curriculum covers a substantial part
of the PDVL curriculum. Hence, taxi drivers can convert their TDVL
to a dual TDVL-PDVL licence. They will only need to undergo a short
briefing on the chauffeured services industry and regulations
unique to the industry.
The Singapore Taxi Academy will continue to be the training
provider for the TDVL. LTA will decide later on who would provide
the PDVL.
In order to strengthen enforcement against errant drivers, private
hire cars used to provide chauffeured services will have to be
registered with LTA.
The driver will also have to display a distinctive, tamper-evident
decal that is visible from the vehicle’s exterior. This will also
help to assure commuters that the vehicle is indeed registered with
LTA.