Frequently Asked Industry Questions
Vehicle Licensing
If I buy a second-hand taxi licence do I need a car less than three years old?
Yes, all transfers of licence ownership require a vehicle less than three years old. This applies regardless of whether you're buying the vehicle and licence as a package, or just buying the licence and using your own vehicle. For further information click on the link below.
www.taxiregulator.ie/files/publications/Buying%20a%20taxi%20licence%20information%20bulletin.pdf
What requirements must a licence above 45,000 meet on renewal?
- Licence numbers above 45,000 must be associated with a vehicle less than 9 years of age every year on renewal. The age of the vehicle is calculated from the date of first registration on the vehicle registration certificate.
- Additionally the vehicle must meet certain basic size requirements. Essentially these cover the luggage capacity and interior size and some basic accessibility criteria, for example ability to accommodate a folded wheelchair. The vehicle described on the application form will be checked against a database of vehicle dimensions. A PDF Model Reports file is available here.
Is the safety equipment checked at the Licence Renewal Assessment and will I fail without it now?
Yes, it is a legal requirement for ALL drivers to have the correct items in their vehicle.
What is the penalty for NOT having the (correct specification) safety equipment?
Under section 34(10) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003 any contravention of a Regulation made under section 34 is an offence. By virtue of section 44(2), as amended, this offence attracts a maximum fine of €2,000. A summary of the items may be found here.
Is a space saver spare wheel now OK for the suitability inspection?
Yes, the requirement is that whatever equipment the manufacturer supplied originally is required.
Does a new car need an NCT roadworthiness test as well as a suitability inspection?
No, cars under 3 months of age AND with less than 3000km travelled do not need an NCT certificate for licensing purposes. The vehicle identity does need to be checked: you should ensure
Does the nine-year rule apply to wheelchair accessible licences and limousines?
No, there is no change to the age requirements for limousines or wheelchair accessible licences.
When might there be a subsidy for purchasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
The Commission for Taxi Regulation is in ongoing discussions with the Minister for Transport and the Department of Transport regarding the proposed introduction of a subsidy to assist in the purchase and use of new wheelchair accessible vehicles. No decision on this has been taken yet.
I have an existing taxi or hackney licence with number less than 45,000: what do I have to do at renewal?
All vehicles require the safety and hazard equipment from 1st January 2009.
Fire Extinguisher
At least one portable fire extinguisher of minimum size 2kg, suitable for A, B and C category fires. It shall be approved to EN3 standard and marked accordingly.
First Aid Kit
A First Aid kit complying with DIN 13164 OR Health and Safety Authority travel kit recommendations shall be carried within the vehicle.
Advance Warning Triangle
A reflective advance warning triangle approved to ECE Regulation 27 and marked accordingly.
High Visibility Reflective Safety Vest
All high visibility safety vest approved to BS EN 471 or CEN 471, 1994 or 2003 or to ANSI/ISEA 107 1999 or 2004 and marked accordingly.
Torch
A working hand-held torch.
Pen and Paper
Pen/pencil and paper.
For further information please see the Vehicle Standards FAQ page.
Apart from this equipment there are no changes to vehicles licensed as taxis or hackneys with vehicle licence numbers below 45,000.
How do I renew an expired licence?
All licences must be renewed prior to their expiry date. An expired licence is any licence that has passed its expiry date. The Commission for Taxi Regulation allows SPSV licence holders to renew up to 12 weeks before the expiry date of their licence.
If your licence expires you are subject to an expired renewal fee of €375 in addition to the standard €125 renewal fee. This must be paid at the time of booking. There is no longer any need to apply for a restoration before continuing to renew, however, it remains an offence to operate an SPSV without a valid licence under SPSV Regulations .
A SPSV licence that has expired for more than five years from the date of expiry may not be restored. In other words, a licence dies after 5 years from the date of expiry if it has not been restored in the interim.
Operating an SPSV on an expired licence before it has been renewed could result in a fine of up to €5,000.
Suitability and the NCT Tests
Do I need my ID cards to pass the NCT?
The Driver ID cards are not a requirement for either the Suitability Inspection or the NCT test. These tests are carried out on the vehicle therefore the vehicle registration certificate would be required. The information on the ID cards comes directly from the individual SPSV driver's licence and is not related to the vehicle licence in any way.
I heard a rumour that all taxis and hackneys need a certain size engine next year: is this true in this age of environmental concerns?
No: there are no requirements (current or future) relating to engine capacity for any of the SPSV categories excepting limousines where an engine must be bigger than 1900cc unless the vehicle is older than 30 years of age. Modern engines are becoming ever more efficient and generally getting smaller whilst producing less emissions and similar power levels.
Does my vehicle have to undergo an annual suitability style inspection?
Yes. Since January 4th 2010 a Licence Renewal Assessment (LRA) is carried out as part of the renewal process. This is a predominantly visual condition check along with inspection of key suitability items, e.g. presence of ramps in wheelchair accessible taxis and the mandatory safety equipment in all vehicles etc. This is a condition of licensing renewal since June 8th 2010.
Driver Licensing
What are the steps involved in becoming a SPSV driver or vehicle licence holder?
Driver
To obtain an SPSV driver licence you must hold a current valid driving licence and must pass the SPSV Entry Test. You must then pay a licence fee of €250 to the Commission by phoning 1890 347 347. Afterwards, apply to your local Garda Station with your SPSV Skills Development Certificate, the receipt for payment of your licence fee, an up-to-date tax clearance certificate, your driving licence, a complete Form PSV 15 and two photographs. You will be put forward for Garda vetting and if you are deemed a suitable candidate your file will be sent to your PSV office. If all requirements are met you will then be issued with an SPSV driver licence and you will receive your ID card and smart card in the post. For more information see our step-by-step guide.
Vehicle
In order to operate a small public service vehicle (SPSV) in Ireland you require valid licence for the operation of the vehicle. The Commission for Taxi Regulation operates a national vehicle licensing system which is administered on its behalf by SGS Ireland Limited. The Commission currently only issues limousine and wheelchair accessible licences. Please note that the vehicle requirements depend on the category of licence, please see here for further information.
The steps involved in obtaining a SPSV licence are:
The following documentation is required to apply an SPSV:
- A completed VL1 form
- The valid fee relevant to the category of SPSV licence you are applying for (i.e. limousine or wheelchair accessible licence). Payment should be made by cheque, postal order or bank draft, and made payable to the Commission for Taxi Regulation.
- A valid tax clearance certificate in respect of the named applicant for this licence
- Valid SPSV insurance certificate for the vehicle listed on your application
- An NCT roadworthiness certificate for the vehicle associated with the licence, issued less than 90 days before the application date
- Assessor’s Report (Applicable only to wheelchair accessible vehicles), issued less than 90 days before suitability inspection
- An SPSV Suitability Inspection must also be completed before your vehicle can be licensed. This test is carried out on behalf of the Commission by SGS.
The completed VL1 form and relevant fee should be sent to:
SPSV Licensing Section
SGS Ireland Limited
Cityeast
Ballybrit Business Park
Galway
For further information on this process please either phone lo-call 1890 347 347
How to replace a lost/stolen ID card?
If you lose your ID cards or they are stolen from you, you must report it immediately to your local PSV Officer. The Commission has provided DL4 forms to assist with the process. The PSV officer will sign and stamp the form and provide you with two copies, one of which will be sent to the Commission at the PO box address provided on the form. There is a €25 charge to have your cards replaced. No cards will be reprinted until a stamped copy of the DL4 and the payment has been received.
Who has to undertake the Skills Development Programme and when?
The Commission has developed a mandatory Skills Development Programme for all SPSV drivers and dispatch operators. This programme replaces the current Garda test required for an SPSV driver licence. New SPSV driver licence applicants are required to undertake the programme and pass the SPSV Entry Test before applying to the Gardaí for an SPSV driver licence. Those who already hold an SPSv driver licence are required to take the SPSV Industry Knowledge Test before 1st January 2012.
Fares
What was the latest date I could operate with the old fare before it became an offence?
21st November 2008.
Once I have the meter calibrated with the new fare who do I contact to arrange for it to be verified/sealed?
For verification appointments please telephone Lo-call 1890 886 228 or view this page (links to LMS web page) for further information.
Can I still operate without the meter being sealed after the meter has been calibrated with the new fare: what do I tell the customer/enforcement officer?
It is an offence to operate a taximeter that is not verified and sealed. You should arrange to have the meter verified as soon as possible after the seal has been broken. When you make an appointment for verification by ringing Lo-call 1890 886 228 you will be sent an appointment letter which you should keep in the vehicle to show the Enforcement Officer.
Should all fares be priced on the meter / Can my meter be turned off?
When a journey is pre-booked, customers may waive their right to have a particular journey charged on the meter. In this situation a prior written agreement must be signed by both the driver and the passenger.