The Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA) has announced new criteria for aspiring private-hire drivers.
Requirements for new Private-hire Driver
- Minimum age of 30 years old
- At least 1 year of driving experience
- Must be Singaporeans
All applicants who apply for the PDVL licence after 5.30 pm on 15 September 2020 will fall under the new requirements.
Existing Drivers not affected
Previously, there was no minimum age requirement to apply for Private-car Driver Vocational Licence (PDVL). Singapore Permanent Residents were also allowed to provide private-hire car services.
Existing PDVL holders who are below the age of 30 years old or are Singapore Permanent Residents will not be affected by the new rules. These drivers will be able to continue to provide private-hire car services as long as they renew their PDVLs before expiry.
Young PDVL holders below 30 years old
Senior Minister of State for Transport Amy Khor revealed that there are 7,500 PDVL holders below the age of 30. They form approximately 15 per cent of the total PDVL strength.
Dr Khor added that there were about 150 new PDVL holders per month below the age of 30 years old in the first 6 months of 2020.
It is estimated that close to 90% of drivers who are less than 30 years old drive part-time.
Long-term concern finally addressed
The issue of the low age requirement for one to get a PDVL licence has long been debated.
Raising the minimum age will help protect the current drivers from more younger PDVL holders from competing with existing drivers for a share of the shrunken pie.
It will also encourage young people to gain more working experience instead and better their chances of long term jobs opportunities.
