TAXI DRIVERS AND DRIVING INSTRUCTORS

TAXI DRIVERS AND DRIVING INSTRUCTORS: **

(Age limit for vocational licences): **

24.

Mr Baey Yam Keng asked the Minister for Transport (a) why there is an age limit for vocational licences for taxi drivers and driving instructors; (b) whether there are similar age limits for other driving licences; and (c) why physical attributes (eg, eyesight, health, reflexes, etc.) are not sufficient requirements for these vocations.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Driving a taxi requires taxi drivers to be physical fit and mentally alert every moment that they are on the road. Given the long working hours they spend on the road, they face more difficult driving conditions than most other drivers. The ability to deal with these challenges decreases as a person ages. For this reason, an age limit of 70 years was introduced for taxi vocational licence holders in the 1970s as a prudent safeguard to protect the well-being of taxi drivers, their passengers and other road users. The age limit was raised to 73 years in 2006. As for driving instructors, the maximum age limit is 70. This age limit ensures that they still possess the necessary skills and reflexes to control the vehicles driven by their students.

As for other driving licences, there is also an age limit for Class 4, 4A and 5 licences (these are for heavy vehicle and bus drivers), and this is set at 70 years. In fact, holders of these licences need to go for a medical check up and a proficiency test every year starting from the age of 65 all the way till 69.

While there is no age limit for motorcycle and motorcar licence holders at present, each licence holder needs to provide a medical report issued by a registered medical practitioner, certifying that he or she is physically and mentally fit to drive a motor vehicle once every three years, starting from the age of 65.

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It is not appropriate to compare the age limit imposed on taxi drivers with that of other driving licences as the circumstances faced by taxi drivers are more onerous than those of other licence holders. Furthermore, even though elderly taxi drivers are currently tested on their physical attributes, such as visual, cognitive and driving abilities, the tests do not replicate the actual working conditions that taxi drivers face, such as extended hours of driving, and the higher susceptibility to fatigue due to age. Hence, the testing regime does not obviate the need for an age limit as another safeguard.

For safety reasons, the Land Transport Authority has adopted a conservative approach in extending the age limit of taxi drivers from 70 to 73 in 2006, and will continually review whether further adjustments are possible. Ultimately, we have to ensure that the interests and safety of taxi drivers, as well as their passengers and other road users, are adequately safeguarded.

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