asked the Minister for Local Government what are the qualifications, in addition to those required for a private driver and vehicle, which are necessary for a driver and taxi in order to obtain a public service vehicle licence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Public Service Vehicle Licences.
24.
A driver of a licensed public hire vehicle must be licensed under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963; to obtain the licence he must satisfy the Garda Síochána that he is a fit and proper person to hold the licence.
The vehicle must have seating accommodation for not more than eight persons exclusive of the driver and must comply with the requirements of Part V of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963. These latter requirements ensure that the vehicle must be a proper passenger car, of adequate size. In the taximeter areas of Dublin and Cork the vehicle must be fitted with a taximeter.
The Vehicle must be licensed under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963; to obtain the licence the owner must satisfy the Garda Síochána that the vehicle complies with the relevant regulations and that his character and previous conduct are such that he is a fit and proper person to hold a licence in respect of the vehicle.
25.
asked the Minister for Local Government what are the qualifications, in addition to those required for a private driver and vehicle, which are necessary for a vehicle used as a hackney car and its driver.
The driver of a private hire vehicle does not require a Public Service Vehicle Driver's licence and no special qualifications are prescribed. The vehicle must be licensed under the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations, 1963; the Garda Síochána must be satisfied, before granting the licence, that the vehicle has seating passenger accommodation for not more than eight persons exclusive of the driver and is safe for the carriage of passengers.