Date Published: 30/11/09
The Commission for Taxi Regulation has announced the next stage of reforms for the Small Public Service vehicle industry following the most recent public consultation process. SPSV Industry update, Issue 12 Format: PDF
SPSV Industry update, Issue 12 - text version
Progressing Reform
in the SPSV Industry
> November 2009 — Issue 12
> Summary of reforms
> What this means for you
> New vehicle licensing service
> Facts and figures for 2009
Issued by the Commission for Taxi Regulation
An Coimisiún Um Rialáil Tacsaithe
© Commission for Taxi Regulation
The Commission for Taxi Regulation has
announced the next stage of reforms
for the Small Public Service Vehicle
industry following the most recent public
consultation process.
This newsletter is the first of a series of industry communications
to inform on the roll-out of changes. Licence
holders will be contacted on an individual basis to provide
a reasonable notice period to prepare for any licensing
changes that effect their particular licence. More detail
on the reforms will also be included in the Commission’s
strategy statement and action plan, due for publication in
2010. Public consultation on the Commission’s strategy
statement is currently open.
Since 2005, the Commission has been tasked with
transforming a recently deregulated industry to achieve
a first class, professional, efficient, safe and accessible,
customer-friendly service for small public service vehicle
passengers and service providers. The Commission
acknowledges that many operators already meet this
objective; however, reform is required to ensure that all
operators meet it. This not only ensures a level playing
field for operators, but also clearly benefits the consumer.
To meet this objective, the Commission has to consider
the measures that are available within its remit. We must
focus on raising standards through regulation, licensing
and enforcement, taking into account that the industry
now operates within a free market. The latest reforms are
aimed specifically at continuing to improve the standard
of the fleet and the knowledge of those operating in it.
The reforms announced look to build on the previous
success and immediately address a number of key
concerns. Foremost amongst these is that the SPSV fleet
meets its accessibility objectives. The Commission believes
that there is a need to increase the number of wheelchair
accessible vehicles and improve the availability of those
already licensed to provide a service. The Commission
has taken decisive action to address this by bringing in a
period of issuing Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Licences
only, along with a number of initiatives aimed at better
matching supply and demand in the sector.
Further to this, we are bringing in a number
of measures that will increase standards and
compliance within the industry, including
fast tracking of vehicle standards to ensure
uniformity by 2011 and the driver skills
development programme to enhance knowledge
by 2012. New regulations in relation to
transferability of taxi licences between taxi
operators and new requirements for those
applying for, and renewing, licences will
increase accountability and compliance.
We firmly believe that at the conclusion of
this reform period that Ireland will have an
SPSV fleet it can be proud of and that consumers
and the industry will greatly benefit.
Progressing
Quality
Improvement
in the
SPSV Industry
Summary of
forthcoming
reforms
November to
December 2009
(See page 3)
• Renewal reminder process updated to
advise of changes to vehicle licensing
from 4th January 2010.
• Final period to renew licences through
NCTS test centre network.
January to March 2010
(See pages 2 & 3)
• Vehicle licensing moves to a new
network of dedicated SPSV inspection
centres.
• Final period to transfer or purchase
new licences under existing rules.
• Action Plan issued for 2010–2011.
April 2010
(See page 3)
• New licences issued to wheelchair
accessible vehicles only.
• Transferability rules commence.
• Nine year age rule introduced as
licence holders change their vehicle.
!
!
!
Summary of reforms for vehicle licensing
When are the reforms coming in?
A number of changes are being made to the vehicle
licensing process from January 2010 onwards. The
main change will be the move of the current contract
for vehicle licensing administration from NCTS Ireland
to SGS Ireland Limited. To minimise the impact
of the changeover the Commission will roll-out the
revised vehicle licensing standards in three stages:
Stage 1 – Drafting and notification Nov–Dec 2009
> Final regulations drafted.
> Licence holders notified of upcoming changes.
Stage 2 – Notice period for licence holders/
change in service network Jan–March 2010
> For the first three months of 2010, existing
licensing rules and requirements will remain
largely the same.
> Licence holders will be advised through
reminder and other information means of the
steps to complete before 31st March 2010.
Stage 3 – New rules apply/licensing processes
change April 2010
> From 6th April 2010, vehicle licensing processes
will change with immediate effect to reflect the
reforms.
New licences only
available for wheelchair
accessible &
limousine categories
What does this mean?
The Commission is giving the
industry three months notice
before the issuing of wheelchair
accessible taxi and hackney
licences only.
All conditional offers made
before then must be completed
by 31st March 2010. For example,
a conditional offer made
on 15th March will only have 17
days to complete the application.
From 6th April 2010 the Commission
will issue only new wheelchair
accessible taxi and hackney
licences. In order to differentiate
these licences (and their standards)
the first licence issued after
6th April 2010 will be 47,001.
The Commission will continue to
issue limousine licences.
All current wheelchair accessible
licences will not be subject to any
additional suitability standards
until their renewal during 2012.
Licence holders will be notified
in advance of the roll-out of
these requirements
Take a break…
it’s the law
The Commission have run a
joint campaign with the Road
Safety Authority in highlighting
the dangers of Driver Fatigue.
The campaign consisted of press
advertising in all of the national
newspapers and a radio advertisement
that aired on local and
national stations. The purpose of
the campaign was to highlight
the fact that all professional taxi,
hackney and limousine drivers
must not drive more than 11
hours over three consecutive
days. Driver Fatigue is a serious
issue and if you are feeling in
any way tired as a professional
driver, you need to take a break.
For further information on
this subject please refer to
www.rsa.ie and click on the
link ‘Driver Fatigue – the facts’.
SPSV Indust ry update – 11/2009
Transferring licences – no more
transferring of wheelchair accessible
licences and one more transfer only
for standard taxi licences
What does this mean?
> From 6th April 2010 all wheelchair accessible
taxi licences will no longer be transferable and
standard taxi licences may only be transferred
one more time. Hackney and limousine licences
remain non-transferable.
> From April 2010, if you transfer the ownership
of your licence the vehicle associated with that
licence must be under three years old, including
licences and vehicles sold as a ‘package’.
The vehicle does not have to meet the additional
size/luggage capacity standards until renewal
during 2012.
> Any licence issued after 6th April 2010 will be
non-transferable. These licences will be identifiable
by being numbered above 47,000. The first
licence issued after 6th April 2010 will be 47,001.
Standard taxis under 47,000 will have one more
transfer.
> Licence transfers continue under the current
rules until 31st March 2010. No transfers made
between now and then affect your right to one
more transfer of a taxi licence after 6th April
2010.
> From January 2010 there will no longer be a
walk-in service for the validation of documents
for transfer-of-ownership transactions. To
transfer ownership of your licence you must
do so by post. If a vehicle inspection is required,
a separate booking will be made for the inspection
and issue of tamper-proof discs.
Taxi and hackney change of vehicle –
vehicle must meet nine year rule
What does this mean?
> At 2011 renewal ALL standard taxis and hackneys
must be under nine years of age. At 2012 renewal
ALL standard taxis and hackneys must also comply
with the vehicle size requirements (as now in
force for taxi and hackney licences above 45,000).
> Any vehicles involved in a change-of-vehicle
transaction for a hackney or taxi licence must
meet the nine-year age rule from 6th April 2010
and at every subsequent renewal.
> Vehicles still require the Initial Suitability
Inspection.
> For licences under 45,000 no additional vehicle
size criteria apply until renewal during 2012.
> This age rule does not apply to limousines or
wheelchair accessible vehicles.
How do I calculate the age of my vehicle?
The principle is the same as calculating someone’s
age using the date of the vehicle’s first registration
as the date of birth. The vehicle must be under nine
years old on the day it is licensed.
Example: Assuming date of renewal is 25–01–2010.
*Please note that the vehicle registered on 30–01–2001 would
not meet the licensing conditions for any subsequent renewal
as it would be over nine years old
Date of first
registration
15–01–2001 30–01–2001
Accepted for
use as Taxi or
Hackney
NO: 9 years
and 10 days
YE S: 8 years,
11 months and
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From 4th January, the Commission’s
vehicle licensing service will be
operated by SGS Ireland Ltd. from a
new network of 37 dedicated SPSV
inspection centres. This move results
from the re-tendering of the service
by the Commission in mid-2009.
The benefits of a dedicated network for vehicle
licensing on its own are:
> Dedicated inspectors who are expert in all
aspects of vehicle licensing rules and procedures
> A more streamlined application process which
will be built on:
> A more simplified licensing process
> An appointment-led service including
set times with appointments for licensing
services guaranteed
> Enhanced customer information.
Licence renewal fees will
remain at 2009 levels for
a transitional period. The
Commission is reviewing all
fees in 2010 to accommodate
the impact of the new reforms
on its services and will be notifying
licence holders of any changes at a later date.
A number of changes to the licensing process will
be rolled-out as part of this new service, including
the introduction of an annual Licence Renewal
Assessment. Please note that the NCT roadworthiness
test certificate will continue to be issued by the
NCTS test centre network.
Operators renewing from 4th January onwards
should ensure that they leave sufficient time to book
and pass the NCT roadworthiness test to avail of the
continuing 12 week advance renewal process for
their vehicle licence.
Please read your next reminder letter carefully
which will provide full details of the on-going service
improvements as well as changes to the licensing
rules from January 2010.
If you wish to receive more detailed information
of the changes as they happen you can ring
1890 347 347 with any queries, or visit our website at
www.taxiregulator.ie
New enhanced vehicle licensing service
From
4th January
2010
New network of 37
dedicated SPSV
inspection centres
Arklow
Athlone
Ballina
Cahir
Carlow
Carrick-on-Shannon
Cavan
Charleville
Cork
Deansgrange
Donegal
Drogheda
Dundalk
Ennis
Enniscorthy
Finglas
Fonthill
Galway
Killarney
Kilkenny
Letterkenny
Limerick
Longford
Macroom
Monaghan
Mullingar
Naas
Navan
Nenagh
Portlaoise
Roscommon
Sligo
Tralee
Tullamore
Waterford
Wexford
Youghal
SPSV Indust ry update – 11/2009
This leaflet will be
distributed with all
reminder letters from
30th November. It
will also be updated
regularly.
Facts and figures Tables are correct as of 01 November 2009
County Hackney Limousine Taxi Wheelchair Total
County Carlow 51 3 98 27 179
County Cavan 107 3 101 15 226
County Clare 219 42 206 17 484
County Cork 695 165 1,437 107 2,404
County Donegal 324 20 209 26 579
County Dublin 220 392 11,690 693 12,995
County Galway 370 55 713 78 1216
County Kerry 222 80 233 21 556
County Kildare 275 84 738 97 1,194
County Kilkenny 60 11 166 28 265
County Laois 87 7 159 41 294
County Leitrim 59 6 31 16 112
County Limerick 199 60 618 39 916
County Longford 32 3 75 14 124
County Louth 131 41 520 47 739
County Mayo 209 28 191 23 451
County Meath 160 63 1,135 85 1,443
County Monaghan 110 10 6 9 135
County Offaly 135 17 76 19 247
County Roscommon 123 10 38 10 181
County Sligo 39 22 143 16 220
County Tipperary 314 34 38 4 390
County Waterford 77 51 223 30 381
County Westmeath 58 20 279 44 401
County Wexford 181 40 149 34 404
County Wicklow 148 58 287 30 523
Total 4,605 1,325 19,559 1,570 27,059
Vehicle licences by county and category* Fixed-charge penalties 2009
Breakdown of prosecutions by area
County and category Number
County Carlow 1
County Cavan 3
County Clare 1
County Cork 6
County Donegal 3
County Dublin 22
Dublin Airport 5
County Kerry 1
County Kilkenny 1
County Laois 1
County Louth 6
County Limerick 4
County Meath 2
County Monaghan 3
County Tipperary 1
County Wexford 1
Total 61
