Public Consultation on SPSV (taxi, hackney or limousine) Driver Entry Requirements

Public Consultation on SPSV (taxi, hackney or limousine) Driver Entry Requirements

The National Transport Authority is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector, i.e. small public service vehicles (taxis, and private hire vehicles, both hackneys and limousines), together with their drivers, owners and associated services, including booking services. The legislation which covers our regulatory functions is set out in Public Transport Regulation Act 2009 and Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 & 2016.

The rationale for SPSV regulation is to ensure that passengers have a safe vehicle for their journey, with appropriate insurance in place, driven by a driver who has been vetted by An Garda Síochána.

The National Transport Authority invites your submissions on a public consultation on:

SPSV (taxi, hackney or limousine) Driver Entry Requirements

To be licenced to drive a taxi, hackney or limousine in Ireland, you must:

  1. Hold a standard driver’s licence (covering car driving) without endorsements;
  2. Pass the SPSV Driver Entry Test;
  3. Complete the required application form and pay the appropriate fee;
  4. Be tax compliant; and
  5. Be confirmed by An Garda Síochána to be a suitable person to hold a licence (vetting).

The Authority has decided to conduct a review of this driver licencing framework, together with the associated testing, training and monitoring of drivers, which has been in place since 2009, in order to assess whether it appropriately reflects today’s needs.

Introduction and questionnaire

Review