The operation of a vehicle as a taxi, hackney or limousine requires that the vehicle is licensed as an SPSV and that the driver is the holder of a valid SPSV driver licence.
To qualify for an SPSV driver licence a person must hold a current valid driving licence and must pass the SPSV Entry Test. They must then apply to An Garda Síochána with their SPSV Skills Development Certificate, a receipt for payment of their licence fee, an up-to-date tax clearance certificate, their driving licence, a complete Form PSV 15 and two photographs. They must satisfy An Garda Síochána that they are a fit and proper person to hold such a licence before being granted an SPSV driver licence.
SPSV driver licence applications are currently processed by An Garda Síochána who also issue the licence and a badge. The Garda Carriage Office is responsible for this function in the Dublin Metropolitan Region while Garda PSV Inspectors are responsible throughout the country.
In order to enhance the skills of SPSV drivers and ensure that all drivers are fully aware of what is required of them under SPSV and other regulations, the SPSV Skills Development Programme has been introduced. It is now necessary for new applicants to pass the SPSV Entry Test before applying for an SPSV driver licence with An Garda Síochána.
The application process involves paying a fee of €250 for a five year licence to the Commission prior to submitting your application to An Garda Síochána. This can be paid by phoning 1890 347 347. You will be sent out a receipt in the post and this receipt must be presented to An Garda Síochána when applying. This fee is non-refundable and should only be paid after successfully completing the SPSV Entry Test.
If An Garda Síochána deems an applicant to be a fit and proper person and grants them an SPSV driver licence, they will then be sent their driver ID and smart card by the Commission. The smart card has enhanced security features that enable it to be scanned and verified for enforcement purposes. The card shows a photograph of the driver together with their SPSV driver licence number and licence expiry date. This smart card must be carried by the SPSV driver at all times while operating.
The driver ID must be clearly displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle at all times while operating as an SPSV. This card shows a photograph of the driver, the driver's name, their SPSV licence number and the expiry date of the licence. The name of the licensed area (the geographic area for which the licence is issued) is displayed on the reverse side of the large card and clearly identifies the area where the driver is permitted to ply or stand to hire. A clip for holding the card on the vehicle dashboard is also supplied by the Commission.
The licence number issued on the SPSV driver licence identification is the licence (badge) number issued by the Gardaí upon grant of the licence.
Section 36 of the 2003 Act
Section 36 will introduce a system of automatic disqualification from applying for or holding a SPSV driver licence for those who have been convicted of specified serious offences including:
- Murder;
- Manslaughter;
- A range of non-fatal offences against the person, including threats to kill, syringe attacks, endangering traffic, false imprisonment;
- Assault or assault causing harm;
- Sexual offences including rape, sexual assault, and aggravated sexual assault;
- Drug trafficking;
- Money laundering;
- Theft and fraud offences;
- Illegal immigrant trafficking;
- Firearms and offensive weapons offences.
Where a person convicted of a summary offence gets a penalty other than a term of imprisonment, that person will be disqualified from holding a licence for 12 months. Where a person gets a term of imprisonment for a summary offence or is convicted on indictment, that person will be disqualified indefinitely. However, Section 36(2) allows a licence holder who has been disqualified to apply, after a specified period of time, to the relevant Court to be allowed to apply for a licence.
The Minister for Transport is consulting with the Commission for Taxi Regulation, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and the industry regarding the arrangements that need to be put in place prior to the commencement of the remainder of section 36. Sufficient advance notice will be given to SPSV driver’s licence holders in order to allow them to avail of the provision in section 36(2) to apply to the relevant court to hold a licence.
Please note that all queries relating to section 36 should be directed to the Department of Transport.