What do I need to display in my vehicle to operate as an SPSV?
The identification features and public information that SPSV operators are required to display in their vehicles depends on the category of licence held on the vehicle.
Category | Identification | Public information |
Taxi / wheelchair accessible taxi | Roof sign | A4 Passenger Information Card held in interior of vehicle. Information sticker on sun visor on front passenger side |
Hackney | Tamper proof discs | A4 Passenger Information Card held in interior of vehicle. Information sticker on sun visor on front passenger side |
Limousine | Tamper proof discs | Half A4 information guide held in interior of vehicle |
Taxi Roof Sign
The sign displayed on the roof of a taxi or wheelchair accessible taxi shall contain only –
(a) The word “TAXI” or “TACSAI”,
(b) The licence number and contact details in relation to the taxi, wheelchair accessible taxi or the dispatch operator, as appropriate, or
(c) The name of a small public service vehicle representative body.
View a full technical guide for the display of taxi roof signs (Word download).
Example Taxi Roof Sign
Vehicle – Tamper-proof disc
It is essential that passengers engaging SPSVs can be secure in the knowledge that the vehicle is, in fact, a SPSV with a current licence. Passengers and enforcement agencies have on occasion encountered considerable difficulty verifying this. To ensure that all vehicles operating as SPSVs actually have a valid licence, a tamper-proof disc is mandatory for all vehicles.
On production of the appropriate documentation at any NCT centre and on successful completion of the licence application or renewal process, NCT staff members will affix a tamper-proof disc with:
- Details of the vehicle registration;
- The SPSV licence number;
- The expiry date of the SPSV licence, and
- The number of passengers for which the vehicle is licensed to carry.
This disc must remain permanently in place for the duration of the licence. It is clearly visible to passengers and enforcement agencies from inside and outside the front and back of the vehicle. It contains a hologram and advanced security features making replication or forgery extremely difficult.
Example Tamper-Proof Discs
Displaying Driver ID
Drivers should ensure that their Driver ID is displayed prominently on the dashboard of their vehicle so that it can be seen clearly from the front of your vehicle, but also by passengers. The side displaying the area in which you are licensed to operate should face outwards leaving the side displaying your name, picture and licence number facing the customer inside the vehicle.
New licence holders should note that due to the requirement for transfer of documentation from the Gardaí to the Commission, there will be a waiting period of approximately two weeks between a renewal or issue of a new licence and arrangement of the collection of your Driver ID.