TAXI DRIVER LICENCES (Tests)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture the reasons why applicants for taxi driver licences have been unable to take their test since 1977.

The Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture (Mr Ong Teng Cheong): Mr Speaker, Sir, as on 1st June, 1977 there were 11,397 applicants waiting for tests. In view of this backlog, the Ministry decided not to entertain any more new applications. Since then, 5,206 applicants were tested. Of these, 4,654 or 89% were successful and given licences.

As on 1st January this year, we have a backlog of 6,191. The Registry of Vehicles will test all of them by the end of this year.

Dr Augustine H.H. Tan: Sir, would the Hon. Minister explain why an English proficiency test is mandatory for taxi drivers?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Sir, taxis serve not only the people working and living in Singapore but also tourists. Since the number of tourists is increasing year by year, in order to serve these people as well as the increasing number of English-speaking citizens, we thought it would be an asset and convenience if taxi drivers are able to speak a little bit of English. We do not expect a high standard of English from them but just enough for normal conversation.

Dr Augustine Tan: Would the Minister consider giving exemption from this Proficiency test in certain cases, bearing in mind that not all taxi drivers serve tourists?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: It would be very difficult for a tourist to tell which taxi driver does or does not speak English. As I said, the standard of English required by the Registry of Vehicles is not high. The standard will be sufficient for normal daily conversation to find out the routes, the places that the passengers want to go, the charges and fare changes.

Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembangan): Sir, surely the tourist would not spend too much time speaking English to a driver about the place. He only names the place, Orchard Road, for instance. Surely that should be within the comprehension of the taxi driver. What is the Minister's comment on this?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Sir, the answer is the same. As I said, the Registry of Vehicles is not demanding a very high standard of English. But if the Member has come across any particular case where a taxi driver has been put in an awkward situation where a high standard of English is demanded by the tester, then I would suggest that he brings it to my attention.

Dr Augustine Tan: Sir, would the Hon. Minister agree with me that it is not so much a question of ability to converse in simple English but recognition of street names, hotels and important places of interest. If such is the case, would he consider lowering the standard of English required for these taxi drivers?

Mr Ong Teng Cheong: Sir, the Member for Whampoa is again assuming that the standard required is fairly high.