Up to 23,000 private hire car (PHC) drivers here will not be able to provide chauffeuring services after June 30 until they pass a test and obtain a PHC Driver’s Vocational License (PDVL).
According to a press release from the Land Transport Authority, 42,900 PHC drivers, who applied for the PDVL before 1 July 2017, were issued the Approval –To-Drive (ATD) concession, and given at least one year to obtain a PDVL.
They also added that, “more than four in five of the remaining 23,000 ATD concession holders have not registered to sit for the test even once, despite reminders from the Land Transport Authority”.
The authority also said that ATD concession holders who have not obtained their PDVL, but wish to continue providing chauffeured services after 30 June 2018, would need to re-apply for the PDVL.
Since there might be up to 23,000 drivers without jobs come July, the LTA added that those who no longer wish to continue providing chauffeured services or are unable to pass the PDVL test may approach e2i or Workforce Singapore for employment assistance.
Drivers who provide chauffeured services without a valid vocational licence will be liable, upon conviction, for a fine of up to $1,000 or a jail term of up to three months, or both, with repeat offenders liable upon conviction to a fine of up to $2,000 or a jail term of up to 6 months, or both.