Date Published: 17/07/09
Industry News Issue 11 contains valuable information regarding the new driver skills development programme, NCT suitability test and FAQs. There is also a "Facts and Figures" section outlining enforcement and licensing information through some easy to read tables. Industry News, Issue 11 Format: PDF
Industry News Issue 11 - text version
Driver Skills Development Programme Now Available. The Driver Skills Development Programme for the Small Public Service Vehicle Industry has been introduced.
The programme is now mandatory for those drivers seeking to enter the industry and for dispatch operators. It will be rolled out to existing drivers on a phased basis.
The programme replaces the knowledge test previously carried out by the Gardaí when a driver applied for an SPSV Driver Licence. An Garda Síochána will continue both to grant SPSV Driver Licences and to process the vetting of applicants
to ensure they are a ‘fit and proper person’ to drive an SPSV.
The programme includes an official skills development manual, accompanying DVD, a new skills development test and new area knowledge test. The programme is designed to assist drivers to develop the skills required in the day-to-day operation of an SPSV business and to inform drivers and dispatch operators of up-to-date developments and legislation.
The core areas included in the programme are: The basic rules of operating in the SPSV industry, including licensing, regulations, rights and responsibilities Vehicles, including standards, testing and maintenance Area knowledge, route selection, map reading, testing and fares Delivering customer satisfaction, including disability awareness, diversity and equality and complaints The SPSV business, including planning, promoting and running a business Safety, including personal security, health and safety and emergency situations
The test itself is divided into two sections. Section one covers industry knowledge, section two examines the area knowledge of the national and local routes of the county in which the applicant has chosen to operate. There are a total of 90 questions in the test, 54 in section one and 36 in section two with a total of 1 hour 30 minutes allowed for completion of the test. Candidates must pass both sections in one exam sitting, those who fail one section will be required to re-sit both sections.
The skills development programme will be rolled out to existing drivers on a phased basis. The Commission is currently considering the timing of this as part of its recently completed public consultation. At this time it is planned that existing drivers will only have to complete the industry knowledge section of the test.
One copy of the training materials will be provided on request to existing licence holders free of charge. There will be no charge to existing drivers for the sitting of their first test.
Those seeking to enter the industry will be required to purchase the official manual at a cost of €30 and take the SPSV Assessment test at a cost of €85.05. All applicants for a licence from 1st May 2009 are required to pass both sections of the driver skills programme before they apply to the Gardaí for an SPSV Driver Licence. All licensed dispatch operators will also be required to have at least one operational manager who has passed the complete programme prior to being granted a dispatch operator licence by the Commission.
The programme is designed to prepare new applicants entering the industry and to enhance the skills of those already operating. While many drivers already offer an excellent service, ongoing personal development is a necessary requirement of any successful business and it is part of the Commission’s objective to ensure that the SPSV industry has highly skilled drivers delivering high quality services. Ultimately the new process will both raise the profile of the industry and increase consumer confidence.
Applicants are reminded when booking a test to allow sufficient time to fully study the manual and prepare for the test.
Further information and a copy of the manual and DVD is available by calling the Commission’s industry information line on 1890 347 347.
Driver Skills Development Programme Now Available
Issue 11 July 2009
Update on Consultation Process following Economic Review
Following the publication of the Goodbody Economic Review, the Commission invited submissions from all interested parties on the recommendations of the Review.
The review made a number of key recommendations to the Commission including; further improvement of standards with consideration given to fast-tracking their implementation; introduction of a quality mark; extra enforcement; greater provision of services for people with disabilities; extra research and provision of information; recording of working hours and usage of new technology.
The Commission reviewed all the submissions received as part of the public consultation process and carried out a number of face-to-face consultations during May and June, including: Meeting with the four national representative bodies
for the industry A workshop with the Joint Taxi Council Workshops with regional representatives throughout
the country Meeting with representatives of limousine operators Dispatch operator workshop Workshop with representatives of people with disabilities Policy meetings with An Garda Síochána, Competition Authority, Road Safety Authority, National Consumer Agency and National Disability Authority
Further consultations will also be held with bodies including Revenue, the Department of Social and Family Affairs,
Fáilte Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority.
The Commission will take the views of all the above parties and individual submissions into account when continuing its programme of reform.
The Commission will then present a number of options to the Advisory Council in mid-July. These will be in the areas of enforcement and compliance, licensing, working hours and health and safety, quality improvement, accessibility and data provision and communication. Feedback from the Advisory Council will be considered before any new initiatives or changes are announced this autumn.
Use of Dublin Port Tunnel
Drivers are reminded that passengers are entitled to choose the route to their destination. For example, if a passenger wishes to travel via the Port Tunnel, drivers are required by law to follow that route. Refusing to take a fare on the basis of the route chosen may constitute ‘unreasonable refusal of service’ and could result
in prosecution.
Final Reminder to all WAT
Licence Holders
The Commission for Taxi Regulation is now actively pursuing WAT licence holders that have failed to provide the Commission with the mandatory information that we have requested. It is important to be aware that failure to comply with this request could result in prosecution in the District Court attracting on summary conviction, a maximum fine of €2,000.
New Requirements for Dispatch Operators
Drivers who are affiliated to a dispatch operator may shortly receive a request for information from their dispatch company.
As part of the Commission’s licensing of all dispatch operators, they are required to keep records ensuring their drivers have up to date SPSV driver licences and that their cars are correctly insured and licensed as SPSVs. The Commission does not require them to hold any other information on affiliated drivers.
The licensing of dispatch operators is being introduced to assist with provision of an accessible service to people with disabilities and to promote professionalism and consistent standards in this area.
Checklist for NCT
and Suitability Test
The following table shows the current requirements in relation to the NCTS road worthiness and suitability test.
I
ssued by the Commission for Taxi RegulationIndustry News
These drivers were issued with Fixed Charge Penalties of €250 for ‘standing for hire at a place other than an appointed stand’.
A recent letter of complaint in a national newspaper recently highlighted the resumption by some drivers of this unlawful practice and it has therefore been necessary for the Commission to issue penalties to more drivers.
Your Questions Answered
Licensed taxis are permitted to stand for hire only at appointed stands. It is also an offence not to use the taximeter for any journey that has commenced from an appointed stand or as a result of being hailed by a prospective passenger (unless each passenger has signed a prior written waiver).
Failure to use the taximeter is a separate offence which is also subject to a Fixed Charge Penalty of €250.
Following complaints made to the Commission during 2008, enforcement officers detected a number of taxi drivers pulling up to stops allocated for certain bus services within Dublin without being hailed by any prospective passenger.
Enforcement Notice
Q Why did the Commission increase the Driver’s licence renewal fee?
A: The Commission announced in its Action Plan (2008 – 2009) that it would review all licence fees. There had been no change in the SPSV driver licensing fee since 1977. The Exchequer had been subsidising the real cost of providing this service and this could no longer continue. This increase has been applied to ensure that administration, regulatory and processing costs are fully covered.
Q Do I need to take the Skills Test when I renew my SPSV driver’s licence?
A: No. The current requirement for those already licensed as SPSV drivers to sit the SPSV Skills development test is on renewal of their licence from 2012. Then, existing drivers will be exempt from the route selection and area knowledge test for the area their current licence was issued.
Q Are there enough enforcement officers?
A: The Commission works closely with An Garda Síochána who are also ‘authorised persons’ under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. This enables them to enforce the Commission legislation as well as the Enforcement team.
Q When will we hear about the outcome of the economic review?
A: An overview of the findings from the consultation process was presented to the Advisory council on June 16th.
The Commission is currently evaluating all the feedback provided and will present options for the next actions the Commission may take to the Advisory Council on July 16th. Formal advice will be sought from the Advisory Council on these options before any final decision will be made on further reforms for the industry. The Commission will make public the final outcome this autumn.
Q Is a space saver spare wheel now OK for the suitability inspection?
A: No, a full size spare wheel and associated tools to change it are still required. However, the Commission has recognised the problem created by this regulation and has sought to have the relevant legislation amended by the Department of Transport to allow space saver spare wheels from 1st January 2010.
Q How can I get a copy of the Skills Development manual
and DVD?
A: As an existing licence holder, you can order your free copy of the Official Manual for Operating in the SPSV Industry (with DVD) by phoning 1890 347 347.
Q What is the new process for renewing an SPSV driver licence?
A: The Commission now process licence fees, not the Motor Tax Office. To pay your renewal fee, you can phone the Commission’s Industry line on 1890 347 347 and pay €250 over the phone by credit or debit card.
Alternatively, you can send a cheque or postal order to PO Box 773, Togher, Southside Delivery Office, Cork along with a “submission of payment form”. This form can be downloaded from www.taxiregulator.ie or posted out to you on request from 1890 347 347.
When you have paid, you will receive a receipt in the post within seven working days of receipt of payment. You should then take the receipt along with a tax clearance certificate (TC2), renewal application form (PSV18), your existing driving licence, SPSV driver licence and photographs to your PSV office (or local Garda Station in some divisions).
Q I would like to operate in an additional licence area,
what must I do?
A: In order to operate in an additional licence area, you must pass an area knowledge test for that area. You can book an Area Knowledge Test by phoning 1890 340 123. The test consists of 36 multiple-choice questions and you will receive your results at the test centre. If successful you will be posted out your additional ID display card. Advice on how to prepare for the test can be found in Chapter 4 of the Official Manual for Operating in the SPSV Industry.
Q I currently have a hackney licence and wish to change it for a taxi licence: what should I be doing?
A: It is not possible to “swap” a hackney licence for a taxi
licence, so you would need to begin the licensing process
from the start.
First, you should check carefully that your existing vehicle is capable of meeting the new licensing conditions for a taxi. It must therefore be less than nine years of age and be of a certain minimum interior size (see the Commission website for more details). You will then need to factor in the costs of a new taxi licence (currently €6,300), the taximeter, its calibration and verification and the roof sign as well as the NCT roadworthiness and suitability fees.
A hackney licence cannot be transferred or sold, or reinstated once surrendered, so be very careful to ensure that you have looked fully into the implications before doing so.
For further information on any matter relating to SPSVs please contact:
Commission for Taxi Regulation
35 Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin 2
Telephone: 1890 347 347
Website: www.taxiregulator.ie
Email: commission @ taxiregulator.ie
Facts and Figures
Following the publication of the Economic Review of the Small Public Service Vehicle Industry the Commission for Taxi Regulation
will, on a more regular basis, make more detailed market and enforcement information available.
The following tables are correct as of 30th June 2009 and will be updated on a quarterly basis on www.taxiregulator.ie
and in future editions of Industry News.
Active Driver Licences
TOTAL
47,529
Breakdown of Complaints 2009
Vehicle Licences by County and Category
County
Hackney
Limo
Taxi
Wheelchair
Total
Co. Carlow
51
5
105
28
189
Co. Cavan
111
3
99
13
226
Co. Clare
226
43
206
18
493
Co. Cork
731
165
1,423
103
2,422
Co. Donegal
324
17
211
28
580
Co. Dublin
235
401
11,800
704
13,140
Co. Galway
383
52
710
80
1225
Co. Kerry
217
77
229
22
545
Co. Kildare
300
92
752
95
1,239
Co. Kilkenny
54
13
162
25
254
Co. Laois
91
8
162
41
302
Co. Leitrim
63
5
28
14
110
Co. Limerick
210
57
620
38
925
Co. Longford
32
3
74
14
123
Co. Louth
143
42
511
46
742
Co. Mayo
206
29
192
18
445
Co. Meath
168
66
1,104
83
1,421
Co. Monaghan
111
11
6
8
136
Co. Offaly
140
16
79
19
254
Co. Roscommon
120
9
36
12
177
Co. Sligo
41
20
140
14
215
Co. Tipperary
320
34
38
4
396
Co. Waterford
80
53
227
30
390
Co. Westmeath
58
16
285
46
405
Co. Wexford
194
41
150
35
420
Co. Wicklow
153
55
297
29
534
TOTAL
4,762
1,333
19,646
1,567
27,308
Breakdown of Prosecutions by Area
Co. Cavan
3
Co. Clare
1
Co. Cork
3
Co. Dublin
11
Dublin Airport
5
Co. Kerry
1
Co. Laois
1
Co. Louth
6
Co. Monaghan
3
Co. Tipperary
1
TOTAL
35
Fixed-Charge Penalties 2009
Standing for hire at a place other than an appointed stand
42
Failing to operate a taximeter
24
Failure to comply with regulations in relation to the fitting/operation of a taximeter
2
Failing to provide a receipt
6
Not having adequate knowledge of local area
25
Plying/Standing for hire in a hackney/limousine
5
Failure to display driver identification
17
Displaying sign/advertising on hackney/limousine
0
Failure to comply with roof sign requirements
6
Failure to display tamper-proof disc
1
Refusal to carry a passenger for a journey of not more than 30km
1
Applying a booking fee
1
Failure to have taximeter properly calibrated
24
Causing the taximeter to operate while standing or plying for hire
0
Refusal to carry an assistance dog or guide dog
1
Failure to display in-vehicle information
1
Forged identification
0
Standing for hire at an appointed stand when the vehicle is not available for hire
1
TOTAL
157
Overcharging or other matters relating to faresConduct and behaviour of an SPSV operator or driverMatters relating to the hiring of an SPSVCondition and cleanliness of the vehicleAs of 30th June 2009 there have been 248 complaints received.53%31%10%6%
