Applications for private hire car driver's vocational licence open on March 13

Drivers for private hire car services can apply for a vocational licence from next Monday (March 13), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said.

Applicants will have to attend a 10-hour course to qualify for the private hire car driver’s vocational licence.

They must also hold a Class 3/3A driving licence which has been valid for a continuous period of at least two years, LTA said in a release on Thursday (March 9).

All applicants will be required to undergo a medical examination, and will be subject to background checks. There will be a non-refundable $40 application fee.

There is also a grace period for current drivers.

Private hire car drivers whose applications reach LTA by June 30 will have up to one year to attend and pass the course.

“To ease the transition to the new vocational licensing regime, during this one-year transitional period, they can continue providing private hire car services,” LTA said.

Those who miss the June 30 deadline have to obtain a vocational licence before they can provide private hire car services.

Singapore citizens can now apply for the licence as a self-employed driver.

Formerly, they had to be driving for a company providing chauffeured services or registered owners of a chauffeured services business.

Singapore permanent residents and foreign work pass holders must be employees of a company providing chauffeured services in order to be eligible for the vocational licence.

Drivers who already have a taxi driver’s vocational licence can drive both taxis and private hire cars. They do not need to apply for the new licence.

Private hire car drivers will also be required to display a tamper-evident decal on the front and back windscreens of their private hire cars from July 1.

More details can be found at the LTA website or call LTA on 1800-2255 582.

Information about the course can be obtained from the Singapore Taxi Academy on 6472-7351 or from www.taxi.org.sg.