LTA tightens grip on car hire apps, rolls out new rules for drivers

They need to have a vocational license.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be introducing new regulations for drivers who work with car hire applications such as UberX and GrabCar.

Starting the first half of 2017, all drivers who wish to provide chauffeured services will be required to apply for and obtain a Private Hire Car Driver’s Vocational Licence (PDVL).

PDVL applicants will be required to undergo relevant training and pass requisite tests on road and passenger safety, and the regulations for chauffeured services, amongst others. Background screening will be conducted on all applicants.

Applicants must attend a PDVL course which is about ten hours long, and pass requisite tests. All PDVL holders must also undergo a refresher course every 6 years.

Private hire cars used to provide chauffeured services will need to be registered with LTA, and drivers are required to display their PDVLs and a tamper-evident decal prominently.

“This will help assure commuters that the private hire car they are taking is indeed registered with LTA. It will also facilitate enforcement against unregistered cars providing chauffeured services, and private hire cars that engage in unpermitted activities such as picking up passengers via street-hail,” said the LTA.

In response to the new requirements, head of Grab Singapore Lim Kell Jay noted that the new requirements will complement their existing practices. 

"Some of these requirements, such as Vocational Licensing and Training, will enable Grab to reduce its operational costs in enforcing background and medical checks and to focus our time and resources on tailoring our training to focus on delivering the best Grab ride experience and service standards. To ensure that passengers continue to enjoy peace of mind that they are riding with the safest and most reliable platform, we will proactively educate our drivers of the new requirements," Lim said.