Road Traffic Act 1961 PART 5 — PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES

s 99–s 111 · 17 sections

Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗

Application of this Part

s 99

99. This Part applies to all public service vehicles.

Classification and descriptions of public service vehicles

100. —(1) The classification and descriptions of public service vehicles for the purpose of this Act and the rules are set out in the Second Schedule. [10/2017] (2) The Authority may by order in the Gazette , add to, amend or vary the Second Schedule. (3) The Authority may, by rules made under section 111, subdivide any class of public service vehicles as set out in the Second Schedule, and any reference in this Act or the rules to a class of public service vehicles includes a reference to any subdivision of such class. [10/2017] (4) Despite the classification and descriptions of public service vehicles in the Second Schedule, the Authority may permit any class of public service vehicles to be used for any prescribed purpose. —(1) The classification and descriptions of public service vehicles for the purpose of this Act and the rules are set out in the Second Schedule. [10/2017] (2) The Authority may by order in the Gazette , add to, amend or vary the Second Schedule. (3) The Authority may, by rules made under section 111, subdivide any class of public service vehicles as set out in the Second Schedule, and any reference in this Act or the rules to a class of public service vehicles includes a reference to any subdivision of such class. [10/2017] (4) Despite the classification and descriptions of public service vehicles in the Second Schedule, the Authority may permit any class of public service vehicles to be used for any prescribed purpose.

Prohibition of use of unlicensed public service vehicles

s 101

101. —(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, a person must not use a motor vehicle which is not a proscribed vehicle, or cause or permit a motor vehicle which is not a proscribed vehicle to be used, as a public service vehicle unless there is in force, in respect of the vehicle, a valid licence issued under this Part authorising such use, or otherwise than in accordance with the licence and any conditions attached thereto. [20/2019] (1A) For the purposes of subsection (1), use of a motor vehicle as a private hire car includes a motor car that — ( a ) is in use in connection with a hiring to provide an on‑demand passenger transport service; or ( b ) is immediately available to a provider of a ride‑hail service to take or facilitate the taking of bookings for an on‑demand passenger transport service provided using that vehicle (whether immediately or at a later time). [10/2017; 20/2019] (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. (3) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this section if the person proves to the satisfaction of the court that the person used the motor vehicle, the subject of the charge, as a public service vehicle in an emergency for the purpose of conveying a sick or injured person to hospital or to bring medical aid to that person or for the purpose of making a report to a police station and that the person had made all reasonable efforts to hire a public service vehicle for the purpose of the journey. (4) A public service vehicle licence is in addition to any other licence issued under this Act and the Point‑to‑Point Passenger Transport Industry Act 2019. [20/2019] (5) Any motor vehicle in respect of which there has been, or there is reasonable cause to suspect that there has been, committed any offence under this section may be seized by any police officer or the Registrar or any officer authorised in writing in that behalf by the Registrar. (6) When any motor vehicle has been seized under subsection (5), a police officer or the Registrar or an officer authorised in writing in that behalf by the Registrar — ( a ) may temporarily return the motor vehicle to its owner on security being furnished to the satisfaction of the police officer, the Registrar or officer so authorised (as the case may be) that the motor vehicle will be surrendered to him or her on demand; or ( b ) must, upon the direction of the Public Prosecutor, and after making any investigations that are necessary for the purposes of this Act, return the motor vehicle to its owner. (7) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of a court before which the prosecution has been held that a motor vehicle seized under subsection (5) has been used in the commission of an offence under this section, the court, on the written application of the Public Prosecutor, is to make an order for the forfeiture of the motor vehicle, even though no person may have been convicted of an offence. (8) If there be no prosecution with regard to any motor vehicle seized under subsection (5), that vehicle must be released at the end of one month from the date of seizure unless it has sooner been released. (9) A police officer may arrest without warrant any person who has committed or whom the police officer reasonably suspects to have committed an offence under this section. (10) For the purposes of this section, a proscribed vehicle means a vehicle of the construction, type or description or a class of vehicles declared by the Minister, by order in the Gazette , to be proscribed and not likewise declared, by subsequent order in the Gazette , to be not proscribed. [20/2019] (11) An order made under subsection (10) by the Minister may contain any saving, transitional, and other consequential, incidental and supplemental provisions that the Minister considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of this Part. [20/2019] (12) A person commits an offence if a person uses or causes or permits a proscribed vehicle to be used as a public service vehicle. [20/2019] (13) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (12) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. [20/2019] —(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, a person must not use a motor vehicle which is not a proscribed vehicle, or cause or permit a motor vehicle which is not a proscribed vehicle to be used, as a public service vehicle unless there is in force, in respect of the vehicle, a valid licence issued under this Part authorising such use, or otherwise than in accordance with the licence and any conditions attached thereto. [20/2019] (1A) For the purposes of subsection (1), use of a motor vehicle as a private hire car includes a motor car that — ( a ) is in use in connection with a hiring to provide an on‑demand passenger transport service; or ( b ) is immediately available to a provider of a ride‑hail service to take or facilitate the taking of bookings for an on‑demand passenger transport service provided using that vehicle (whether immediately or at a later time). [10/2017; 20/2019] (2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. (3) A person shall not be convicted of an offence under this section if the person proves to the satisfaction of the court that the person used the motor vehicle, the subject of the charge, as a public service vehicle in an emergency for the purpose of conveying a sick or injured person to hospital or to bring medical aid to that person or for the purpose of making a report to a police station and that the person had made all reasonable efforts to hire a public service vehicle for the purpose of the journey. (4) A public service vehicle licence is in addition to any other licence issued under this Act and the Point‑to‑Point Passenger Transport Industry Act 2019. [20/2019] (5) Any motor vehicle in respect of which there has been, or there is reasonable cause to suspect that there has been, committed any offence under this section may be seized by any police officer or the Registrar or any officer authorised in writing in that behalf by the Registrar. (6) When any motor vehicle has been seized under subsection (5), a police officer or the Registrar or an officer authorised in writing in that behalf by the Registrar — ( a ) may temporarily return the motor vehicle to its owner on security being furnished to the satisfaction of the police officer, the Registrar or officer so authorised (as the case may be) that the motor vehicle will be surrendered to him or her on demand; or ( b ) must, upon the direction of the Public Prosecutor, and after making any investigations that are necessary for the purposes of this Act, return the motor vehicle to its owner. (7) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of a court before which the prosecution has been held that a motor vehicle seized under subsection (5) has been used in the commission of an offence under this section, the court, on the written application of the Public Prosecutor, is to make an order for the forfeiture of the motor vehicle, even though no person may have been convicted of an offence. (8) If there be no prosecution with regard to any motor vehicle seized under subsection (5), that vehicle must be released at the end of one month from the date of seizure unless it has sooner been released. (9) A police officer may arrest without warrant any person who has committed or whom the police officer reasonably suspects to have committed an offence under this section. (10) For the purposes of this section, a proscribed vehicle means a vehicle of the construction, type or description or a class of vehicles declared by the Minister, by order in the Gazette , to be proscribed and not likewise declared, by subsequent order in the Gazette , to be not proscribed. [20/2019] (11) An order made under subsection (10) by the Minister may contain any saving, transitional, and other consequential, incidental and supplemental provisions that the Minister considers necessary or expedient for the purposes of this Part. [20/2019] (12) A person commits an offence if a person uses or causes or permits a proscribed vehicle to be used as a public service vehicle. [20/2019] (13) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (12) shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both. [20/2019]

Issue of public service vehicle licences

s 102

102. —(1) The Registrar may, on application made to him or her in the prescribed manner and on payment of the prescribed fee and subject to any rules that may be prescribed, issue public service vehicle licences. (2) The Registrar must not issue a public service vehicle licence to any person who is a minor or in respect of any vehicle which does not comply with such conditions as to construction, fitness and equipment or otherwise as may be prescribed. —(1) The Registrar may, on application made to him or her in the prescribed manner and on payment of the prescribed fee and subject to any rules that may be prescribed, issue public service vehicle licences. (2) The Registrar must not issue a public service vehicle licence to any person who is a minor or in respect of any vehicle which does not comply with such conditions as to construction, fitness and equipment or otherwise as may be prescribed.

Modification of public service vehicle licence conditions

s 102A

102A. —(1) Subject to this section, the Authority may at any time modify the conditions of a public service vehicle licence. [37/2012] (2) Before modifying any conditions of a public service vehicle licence under subsection (1), the Authority must give notice to the holder of the licence — ( a ) stating that the Authority proposes to make the modification in the manner specified in the notice; and ( b ) specifying the time (not being less than 28 days after the date of service of the notice on the holder of a licence) within which written representations with respect to the proposed modification may be made. [37/2012] (3) Upon receipt of any written representation within the time specified under subsection (2)( b ), the Authority must consider the representation and may — ( a ) reject the representation; ( b ) amend the proposed modification in any manner that it thinks fit having regard to the representation; or ( c ) withdraw the proposed modification. [37/2012] (4) Subject to subsection (6), if the Authority rejects any written representation under subsection (3)( a ) or amends any proposed modification to the conditions of a public service vehicle licence under subsection (3)( b ), the Authority must issue a notice to the holder of the licence stating that the modification as specified in the notice under this subsection takes effect on a date specified in that notice by the Authority. [37/2012] (5) Subject to subsection (6), if no written representation is received by the Authority within the time specified under subsection (2)( b ) or if any written representation made under subsection (2)( b ) is subsequently withdrawn before any decision is made under subsection (3), the Authority must issue a notice to the holder of the licence stating that the modification as specified in the notice under this subsection takes effect on a date specified in that notice by the Authority. [37/2012] (6) Any decision to modify the conditions of a public service vehicle licence does not take effect — ( a ) during the period for appeals mentioned in section 102B(1); and ( b ) where the holder of the licence has appealed against the modification, until the determination of the appeal. [37/2012] —(1) Subject to this section, the Authority may at any time modify the conditions of a public service vehicle licence. [37/2012] (2) Before modifying any conditions of a public service vehicle licence under subsection (1), the Authority must give notice to the holder of the licence — ( a ) stating that the Authority proposes to make the modification in the manner specified in the notice; and ( b ) specifying the time (not being less than 28 days after the date of service of the notice on the holder of a licence) within which written representations with respect to the proposed modification may be made. [37/2012] (3) Upon receipt of any written representation within the time specified under subsection (2)( b ), the Authority must consider the representation and may — ( a ) reject the representation; ( b ) amend the proposed modification in any manner that it thinks fit having regard to the representation; or ( c ) withdraw the proposed modification. [37/2012] (4) Subject to subsection (6), if the Authority rejects any written representation under subsection (3)( a ) or amends any proposed modification to the conditions of a public service vehicle licence under subsection (3)( b ), the Authority must issue a notice to the holder of the licence stating that the modification as specified in the notice under this subsection takes effect on a date specified in that notice by the Authority. [37/2012] (5) Subject to subsection (6), if no written representation is received by the Authority within the time specified under subsection (2)( b ) or if any written representation made under subsection (2)( b ) is subsequently withdrawn before any decision is made under subsection (3), the Authority must issue a notice to the holder of the licence stating that the modification as specified in the notice under this subsection takes effect on a date specified in that notice by the Authority. [37/2012] (6) Any decision to modify the conditions of a public service vehicle licence does not take effect — ( a ) during the period for appeals mentioned in section 102B(1); and ( b ) where the holder of the licence has appealed against the modification, until the determination of the appeal. [37/2012]

Appeal to Minister

s 102B

102B. —(1) A holder of a public service vehicle licence who is aggrieved by any decision to modify the conditions of the holder’s licence under section 102A may, within 14 days after receiving the notice mentioned in section 102A(4), appeal to the Minister. [37/2012] (2) The Minister may determine an appeal under this section by confirming, varying or reversing any decision of the Authority or amending any licence condition affecting the licensee. [37/2012] (3) The decision of the Minister in any appeal is final. [37/2012] —(1) A holder of a public service vehicle licence who is aggrieved by any decision to modify the conditions of the holder’s licence under section 102A may, within 14 days after receiving the notice mentioned in section 102A(4), appeal to the Minister. [37/2012] (2) The Minister may determine an appeal under this section by confirming, varying or reversing any decision of the Authority or amending any licence condition affecting the licensee. [37/2012] (3) The decision of the Minister in any appeal is final. [37/2012]

Maximum number of new public service vehicle licences

s 103

103. —(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Authority may, in respect of any period, by determination fix the maximum number of new public service vehicle licences which may be issued under section 102(1) during that period, and the Registrar must comply with that determination. [23/2013] (2) The maximum number of new public service vehicle licences may be fixed by the Authority in one or more of the following terms: ( a ) for public service vehicles of any class; ( b ) for a particular person or class of persons; ( c ) for any period not exceeding one year. [23/2013] (3) In determining under subsection (1) the maximum number of new taxi licences which may be issued to a street‑hail service licensee during any period that may be determined by the Authority, the Authority may take into consideration all relevant matters, including the contravention before that period by the street‑hail service licensee of any service standard condition applicable to that licensee. [23/2013; 20/2019] (4) Before taking into consideration any matter mentioned in subsection (3), the Authority must give the street‑hail service licensee concerned written notice of its intention to do so and a reasonable opportunity to submit reasons, within the period specified in that notice, as to why the matter should not be taken into consideration. [23/2013; 20/2019] (5) The Authority must, as soon as practicable after making a determination under subsection (1), provide a copy of the determination to the Registrar and — ( a ) in the case where the determination applies to a particular person or class of persons, provide a copy of the determination to that person or everyone in that class of persons; or ( b ) in any other case, publish in the Gazette , or in one or more local daily newspapers as the Authority considers appropriate, a notice of the making of the determination. [23/2013] (6) In this section — “new”, in relation to a public service vehicle licence, does not include the renewal of an existing public service vehicle licence; “service standard condition” means a code of practice about performance standards relating to the provision of street‑hail services and the quality of other aspects of the provision of a street‑hail service under the Point‑to‑Point Passenger Transport Industry Act 2019; “taxi licence” means a public service vehicle licence which authorises a motor vehicle to be used as a taxi. [23/2013; 20/2019] —(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Authority may, in respect of any period, by determination fix the maximum number of new public service vehicle licences which may be issued under section 102(1) during that period, and the Registrar must comply with that determination. [23/2013] (2) The maximum number of new public service vehicle licences may be fixed by the Authority in one or more of the following terms: ( a ) for public service vehicles of any class; ( b ) for a particular person or class of persons; ( c ) for any period not exceeding one year. [23/2013] (3) In determining under subsection (1) the maximum number of new taxi licences which may be issued to a street‑hail service licensee during any period that may be determined by the Authority, the Authority may take into consideration all relevant matters, including the contravention before that period by the street‑hail service licensee of any service standard condition applicable to that licensee. [23/2013; 20/2019] (4) Before taking into consideration any matter mentioned in subsection (3), the Authority must give the street‑hail service licensee concerned written notice of its intention to do so and a reasonable opportunity to submit reasons, within the period specified in that notice, as to why the matter should not be taken into consideration. [23/2013; 20/2019] (5) The Authority must, as soon as practicable after making a determination under subsection (1), provide a copy of the determination to the Registrar and — ( a ) in the case where the determination applies to a particular person or class of persons, provide a copy of the determination to that person or everyone in that class of persons; or ( b ) in any other case, publish in the Gazette , or in one or more local daily newspapers as the Authority considers appropriate, a notice of the making of the determination. [23/2013] (6) In this section — “new”, in relation to a public service vehicle licence, does not include the renewal of an existing public service vehicle licence; “service standard condition” means a code of practice about performance standards relating to the provision of street‑hail services and the quality of other aspects of the provision of a street‑hail service under the Point‑to‑Point Passenger Transport Industry Act 2019; “taxi licence” means a public service vehicle licence which authorises a motor vehicle to be used as a taxi. [23/2013; 20/2019]

Transfer of public service vehicle licences

s 104

104. —(1) The Registrar may permit the transfer of any public service vehicle licence in such manner and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed. (2) No such transfer may take place without the written permission of the Registrar. —(1) The Registrar may permit the transfer of any public service vehicle licence in such manner and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed. (2) No such transfer may take place without the written permission of the Registrar.

Markings of public service vehicles

s 105

105. —(1) Every public service vehicle licensed under this Part must have affixed thereto such plate or plates and such other markings for the purpose of identifying such vehicle as a public service vehicle as may be prescribed. [10/2017] (2) On the expiry, suspension or revocation of any public service vehicle licence, the licence together with all plates or other markings issued in connection therewith must be returned to the Registrar within 10 days after the expiry, suspension or revocation. (3) Any person who omits to return any such licence, plate or other marking shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500. (4) Any person displaying any plate or marking mentioned in subsection (1), or any plate or marking falsely purporting to have been issued under this Part, on any vehicle in respect of which the appropriate public service vehicle licence is not in force shall be guilty of an offence. —(1) Every public service vehicle licensed under this Part must have affixed thereto such plate or plates and such other markings for the purpose of identifying such vehicle as a public service vehicle as may be prescribed. [10/2017] (2) On the expiry, suspension or revocation of any public service vehicle licence, the licence together with all plates or other markings issued in connection therewith must be returned to the Registrar within 10 days after the expiry, suspension or revocation. (3) Any person who omits to return any such licence, plate or other marking shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500. (4) Any person displaying any plate or marking mentioned in subsection (1), or any plate or marking falsely purporting to have been issued under this Part, on any vehicle in respect of which the appropriate public service vehicle licence is not in force shall be guilty of an offence.

Rates of hire

s 106

106. —(1) The owner, driver or conductor of a public service vehicle is entitled to demand and take any rates of hire or fares that the Minister may prescribe. (2) Except as otherwise provided, the prescription of any rates of hire or fares does not prevent an owner, driver or conductor from entering into a contract to receive a lower rate of hire or fare than that prescribed. (3) If any dispute arises as to a rate or fare calculated according to distance, the dispute may be referred to the Registrar or to the officer in charge of any police station whose decision is final, and any certificate issued by the Registrar or the police officer with regard thereto is admissible in evidence. (4) The owner, driver or conductor of a public service vehicle who demands or takes or attempts to take any money in excess of those rates or fares shall be guilty of an offence. (5) Any person who refuses to pay the owner, driver or conductor (as the case may be) the prescribed rate of hire or the prescribed fare when lawfully demanded shall be guilty of an offence. (6) This section does not apply to omnibuses, taxis and private hire cars to the extent that fares for the provision of bus services and ride‑hail services and street‑hail services using those vehicles are regulated by or under the Public Transport Council Act 1987. [20/2019] —(1) The owner, driver or conductor of a public service vehicle is entitled to demand and take any rates of hire or fares that the Minister may prescribe. (2) Except as otherwise provided, the prescription of any rates of hire or fares does not prevent an owner, driver or conductor from entering into a contract to receive a lower rate of hire or fare than that prescribed. (3) If any dispute arises as to a rate or fare calculated according to distance, the dispute may be referred to the Registrar or to the officer in charge of any police station whose decision is final, and any certificate issued by the Registrar or the police officer with regard thereto is admissible in evidence. (4) The owner, driver or conductor of a public service vehicle who demands or takes or attempts to take any money in excess of those rates or fares shall be guilty of an offence. (5) Any person who refuses to pay the owner, driver or conductor (as the case may be) the prescribed rate of hire or the prescribed fare when lawfully demanded shall be guilty of an offence. (6) This section does not apply to omnibuses, taxis and private hire cars to the extent that fares for the provision of bus services and ride‑hail services and street‑hail services using those vehicles are regulated by or under the Public Transport Council Act 1987. [20/2019]

Responsibility of owner of public service vehicles

s 107

107. —(1) The owner of a public service vehicle is, unless the owner satisfies the court that the owner took every reasonable precaution to avoid the commission thereof, responsible for every offence committed under this Act or the rules in connection with the use of the vehicle and may, in the discretion of the Registrar, be prosecuted for the offence either in addition to or instead of the driver or conductor, as the case may be. [10/2017] (2) When the driver or conductor of any public service vehicle is reasonably believed to be guilty of an offence under this Act or the rules, the owner of the vehicle and any other person who was or should have been in charge of the vehicle at or about the relevant time must give to the Registrar or to any police officer any information that the Registrar or the police officer may require of the owner or other person concerning the identity and address of the person believed to be guilty of the offence. [10/2017] (3) If any person fails to do so within 7 days of the date on which the information was required of that person under subsection (2), unless the person shows to the satisfaction of the court that the person did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained the information required, the person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100. (4) Despite anything in any other written law, any information given under subsection (2) by any person charged with any offence under this Act or the rules may be used as evidence at the hearing of the charge. [10/2017] —(1) The owner of a public service vehicle is, unless the owner satisfies the court that the owner took every reasonable precaution to avoid the commission thereof, responsible for every offence committed under this Act or the rules in connection with the use of the vehicle and may, in the discretion of the Registrar, be prosecuted for the offence either in addition to or instead of the driver or conductor, as the case may be. [10/2017] (2) When the driver or conductor of any public service vehicle is reasonably believed to be guilty of an offence under this Act or the rules, the owner of the vehicle and any other person who was or should have been in charge of the vehicle at or about the relevant time must give to the Registrar or to any police officer any information that the Registrar or the police officer may require of the owner or other person concerning the identity and address of the person believed to be guilty of the offence. [10/2017] (3) If any person fails to do so within 7 days of the date on which the information was required of that person under subsection (2), unless the person shows to the satisfaction of the court that the person did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained the information required, the person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100. (4) Despite anything in any other written law, any information given under subsection (2) by any person charged with any offence under this Act or the rules may be used as evidence at the hearing of the charge. [10/2017]

Revocation and suspension of licences

s 108

108. The Registrar may at any time suspend or revoke a public service vehicle licence if — ( a ) owing to any defects in the vehicle in respect of which the licence is issued, the vehicle is or is likely to become unfit for service; ( aa ) the vehicle in respect of which the licence is issued is proscribed under section 101(10); ( b ) having regard to the conduct of the holder of the licence or to the manner in which the vehicle is being used, it appears to the Registrar that the licence should be suspended or revoked; ( c ) in the case of a public service vehicle licence issued in respect of a taxi, the holder of the licence — (i) has attained 63 years of age; (ii) holds more than one public service vehicle licence issued in respect of a taxi; or (iii) has ceased to carry on his or her vocation as a taxi‑driver; or ( d ) the licensee has contravened any of the provisions of this Act or the rules. [10/2017; 20/2019]

Public stands

s 109

109. The Authority may provide, appoint and regulate the use of any public stands for any class of public service vehicle that it thinks fit, and on the application of or with the consent of the owner of any private property may regulate the use of public stands provided on the private property.

Vocational licences

s 110

110. —(1) A person must not — ( a ) drive or act as a conductor of a public service vehicle on a road unless he or she holds a vocational licence granted by the Registrar under this Part for those purposes; or ( b ) employ or permit any person who is not so licensed to drive or act as a conductor of a public service vehicle. [37/2012] (2) The Registrar may, on application made to him or her in the prescribed manner and on payment of the prescribed fee and subject to any rules that may be prescribed, grant vocational licences. (2A) The Registrar must not grant a vocational licence unless he or she is satisfied that the applicant for the licence is of the minimum age as prescribed for that class of public service vehicle and fulfils any other conditions that may be prescribed. (3) A vocational licence to drive a public service vehicle may limit the authorisation of the holder of the licence to driving, or acting as a conductor of, only one or more classes of public service vehicles specified in the licence. [10/2017] (4) The Registrar may suspend or revoke, in whole or in part, a vocational licence on the ground that the holder of the licence — ( a ) is contravening or not complying with, or has contravened or failed to comply with, any of the conditions of the licence, or any provision of this Act or rules under this Part applicable to the holder of the licence as such; or ( b ) is not a fit or proper person to hold the licence because of his or her conduct, after taking into consideration the total number of demerit points accumulated by the holder of the licence under those rules in respect of the licence or another licence, or his or her physical condition. [10/2017] (5) Where the Registrar refuses to grant or suspends or revokes a vocational licence, the applicant or licence holder (as the case may be) may appeal to the Minister, and on such appeal, the Minister, after such inquiry, if any, as the Minister may consider necessary, may make such order as the Minister thinks fit, and any order so made is binding on the Registrar and on the appellant. —(1) A person must not — ( a ) drive or act as a conductor of a public service vehicle on a road unless he or she holds a vocational licence granted by the Registrar under this Part for those purposes; or ( b ) employ or permit any person who is not so licensed to drive or act as a conductor of a public service vehicle. [37/2012] (2) The Registrar may, on application made to him or her in the prescribed manner and on payment of the prescribed fee and subject to any rules that may be prescribed, grant vocational licences. (2A) The Registrar must not grant a vocational licence unless he or she is satisfied that the applicant for the licence is of the minimum age as prescribed for that class of public service vehicle and fulfils any other conditions that may be prescribed. (3) A vocational licence to drive a public service vehicle may limit the authorisation of the holder of the licence to driving, or acting as a conductor of, only one or more classes of public service vehicles specified in the licence. [10/2017] (4) The Registrar may suspend or revoke, in whole or in part, a vocational licence on the ground that the holder of the licence — ( a ) is contravening or not complying with, or has contravened or failed to comply with, any of the conditions of the licence, or any provision of this Act or rules under this Part applicable to the holder of the licence as such; or ( b ) is not a fit or proper person to hold the licence because of his or her conduct, after taking into consideration the total number of demerit points accumulated by the holder of the licence under those rules in respect of the licence or another licence, or his or her physical condition. [10/2017] (5) Where the Registrar refuses to grant or suspends or revokes a vocational licence, the applicant or licence holder (as the case may be) may appeal to the Minister, and on such appeal, the Minister, after such inquiry, if any, as the Minister may consider necessary, may make such order as the Minister thinks fit, and any order so made is binding on the Registrar and on the appellant.

General suspension of participating bookable drivers

s 110A

110A. —(1) The Registrar may in the circumstances in subsection (2), by a general suspension order served on persons mentioned in subsection (3), direct that every bookable vehicle driver who is a participating bookable driver of the same designated exempt ride‑hail service operator stop providing, during a blackout period, on‑demand passenger transport services the booking of which is taken or facilitated by that designated exempt ride‑hail service operator. [10/2017; 20/2019] (2) A general suspension order may be made where the Registrar is satisfied that — ( a ) one of the participating bookable drivers of a designated exempt ride‑hail service operator has been convicted of a relevant offence in the course of being a participating bookable driver of the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator; and ( b ) within a period of 12 months before the commission of the relevant offence in paragraph ( a ), 2 or more other participating bookable drivers of the same designated exempt ride‑hail service operator have also been convicted of a relevant offence each in the course of being a participating bookable driver of that designated exempt ride‑hail service operator, regardless of any general suspension order earlier served in respect of that same designated exempt ride‑hail service operator or that a blackout period for any earlier general suspension order is current. [10/2017; 20/2019] (3) A general suspension order relating to a designated exempt ride‑hail service operator must be given to — ( a ) the class comprising every participating bookable driver of the same designated exempt ride‑hail service operator concerned; and ( b ) the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator. [10/2017; 20/2019] (4) A general suspension order may be made under subsection (1) only after giving the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator concerned a reasonable opportunity to be heard. [10/2017; 20/2019] (5) In determining whether a driver has been convicted of a relevant offence, the Registrar may reckon any offer of composition under section 135 for a relevant offence that is accepted by the driver in relation to that offence as if that driver had been convicted of that relevant offence. [10/2017] (6) However, where a driver has been convicted of a relevant offence, and it is open to the driver to appeal against the conviction (either with the permission of the court or without such permission), the Registrar, in determining whether a driver has been convicted of a relevant offence, must disregard the conviction until — ( a ) no further appeal is open to the driver; or ( b ) by reason of the end of any period for entering an appeal or a notice of appeal, or the refusal of permission to appeal or for any other reason, it ceases to be open for the driver to appeal. [10/2017] [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (7) A general suspension order that is addressed to a class of persons is sufficiently served if it is published both — ( a ) in a daily newspaper circulating in Singapore or in any other news media that, in the opinion of the Authority, will be most likely to bring the direction to the attention of the persons who belong to the class; and ( b ) on the Authority’s official website. [10/2017] (8) A general suspension order that is served in accordance with subsection (7) takes effect at the beginning of the day after the date on which both paragraphs ( a ) and ( b ) of subsection (7) have been complied with. [10/2017] (9) A participating bookable driver of a designated exempt ride‑hail service operator who — ( a ) is in the class of participating bookable drivers served with a general suspension order (in accordance with subsection (7)) directing him or her to stop providing any on‑demand passenger transport service the booking of which is taken or facilitated by that designated exempt ride‑hail service operator; and ( b ) provides any on‑demand passenger transport service the booking of which is taken or facilitated by that designated exempt ride‑hail service operator during the blackout period for that general suspension order, shall be guilty of an offence. [20/2019] (10) It is not a defence in any proceeding for an offence under subsection (9) that the accused holds a vocational licence granted under section 110 authorising him or her to drive a public service vehicle. [10/2017; 20/2019] —(1) The Registrar may in the circumstances in subsection (2), by a general suspension order served on persons mentioned in subsection (3), direct that every bookable vehicle driver who is a participating bookable driver of the same designated exempt ride‑hail service operator stop providing, during a blackout period, on‑demand passenger transport services the booking of which is taken or facilitated by that designated exempt ride‑hail service operator. [10/2017; 20/2019] (2) A general suspension order may be made where the Registrar is satisfied that — ( a ) one of the participating bookable drivers of a designated exempt ride‑hail service operator has been convicted of a relevant offence in the course of being a participating bookable driver of the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator; and ( b ) within a period of 12 months before the commission of the relevant offence in paragraph ( a ), 2 or more other participating bookable drivers of the same designated exempt ride‑hail service operator have also been convicted of a relevant offence each in the course of being a participating bookable driver of that designated exempt ride‑hail service operator, regardless of any general suspension order earlier served in respect of that same designated exempt ride‑hail service operator or that a blackout period for any earlier general suspension order is current. [10/2017; 20/2019] (3) A general suspension order relating to a designated exempt ride‑hail service operator must be given to — ( a ) the class comprising every participating bookable driver of the same designated exempt ride‑hail service operator concerned; and ( b ) the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator. [10/2017; 20/2019] (4) A general suspension order may be made under subsection (1) only after giving the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator concerned a reasonable opportunity to be heard. [10/2017; 20/2019] (5) In determining whether a driver has been convicted of a relevant offence, the Registrar may reckon any offer of composition under section 135 for a relevant offence that is accepted by the driver in relation to that offence as if that driver had been convicted of that relevant offence. [10/2017] (6) However, where a driver has been convicted of a relevant offence, and it is open to the driver to appeal against the conviction (either with the permission of the court or without such permission), the Registrar, in determining whether a driver has been convicted of a relevant offence, must disregard the conviction until — ( a ) no further appeal is open to the driver; or ( b ) by reason of the end of any period for entering an appeal or a notice of appeal, or the refusal of permission to appeal or for any other reason, it ceases to be open for the driver to appeal. [10/2017] [Act 25 of 2021 wef 01/04/2022] (7) A general suspension order that is addressed to a class of persons is sufficiently served if it is published both — ( a ) in a daily newspaper circulating in Singapore or in any other news media that, in the opinion of the Authority, will be most likely to bring the direction to the attention of the persons who belong to the class; and ( b ) on the Authority’s official website. [10/2017] (8) A general suspension order that is served in accordance with subsection (7) takes effect at the beginning of the day after the date on which both paragraphs ( a ) and ( b ) of subsection (7) have been complied with. [10/2017] (9) A participating bookable driver of a designated exempt ride‑hail service operator who — ( a ) is in the class of participating bookable drivers served with a general suspension order (in accordance with subsection (7)) directing him or her to stop providing any on‑demand passenger transport service the booking of which is taken or facilitated by that designated exempt ride‑hail service operator; and ( b ) provides any on‑demand passenger transport service the booking of which is taken or facilitated by that designated exempt ride‑hail service operator during the blackout period for that general suspension order, shall be guilty of an offence. [20/2019] (10) It is not a defence in any proceeding for an offence under subsection (9) that the accused holds a vocational licence granted under section 110 authorising him or her to drive a public service vehicle. [10/2017; 20/2019]

Interpretation of sections 110A and 111

s 110B

110B. In sections 110A and 111 — “blackout period”, for a general suspension order, means a period after the general suspension order takes effect, of a duration that is fixed and specified by the Registrar in the order, being a period not exceeding one month; “bookable vehicle” has the meaning given by section 4(1) of the Point‑to‑Point Passenger Transport Industry Act 2019; “designated exempt ride‑hail service operator” means a person who is an exempt ride‑hail service operator and is prescribed by rules under section 111 to be designated by the Authority for the purposes of this definition; “participating bookable driver”, for a designated exempt ride-hail service operator, means a driver who has a participating driver agreement with the operator, and it is immaterial whether — ( a ) the driver is an employee or agent of the designated exempt ride-hail service operator; or ( b ) where the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator is a platform operator, the driver is a platform worker of the operator; [Act 30 of 2024 wef 01/01/2025] “participating driver agreement”, in relation to a designated exempt ride‑hail service operator providing a ride-hail service, means an agreement or arrangement between the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator and a driver of a bookable vehicle under which — ( a ) the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator agrees to — (i) take or facilitate any booking by or on behalf of a passenger for bookable vehicles to be made available in providing on‑demand passenger transport services (whether immediately or at a later time) to the passenger; and (ii) communicate the booking to participating bookable drivers; and ( b ) the driver agrees to carry out the on‑demand passenger transport service in the booking by transporting the passenger for hire or reward, using a bookable vehicle, and it does not matter — ( c ) whether or not — (i) the driver is an employee or agent of the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator; or (ii) where the designated exempt ride‑hail service operator is a platform operator, the driver is a platform worker of that operator; or ( d ) whether the vehicle is hired from that operator; [Act 30 of 2024 wef 01/01/2025] “platform operator” has the meaning given by section 4 of the Platform Workers Act 2024; [Act 30 of 2024 wef 01/01/2025] “platform worker” has the meaning given by section 5(1) of the Platform Workers Act 2024; [Act 30 of 2024 wef 01/01/2025] “relevant offence” means any of the following offences committed on or after 1 July 2017: ( a ) an offence under section 101(2) involving any private hire car; ( b ) an offence under section 131 for contravening section 110(1)( a ) involving any private hire car; ( c ) an offence under section 3 of the Motor Vehicles (Third‑Party Risks and Compensation) Act 1960 involving any private hire car. [10/2017; 20/2019]

Rules for purposes of this Part

s 111

111. —(1) The Authority may make any rules as it may consider expedient for the purposes of this Part. [10/2017] (2) Any rules made under subsection (1) may provide that any contravention of any provision of the rules shall be an offence punishable with a fine not exceeding $10,000. [20/2019] —(1) The Authority may make any rules as it may consider expedient for the purposes of this Part. [10/2017] (2) Any rules made under subsection (1) may provide that any contravention of any provision of the rules shall be an offence punishable with a fine not exceeding $10,000. [20/2019]

Back to Road Traffic Act 1961 — full text

Provisions on this page are reproduced verbatim from official open data. See the attribution line.

Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. Read the official text ↗

The Singapore legislation on this platform is subject to copyright of the Singapore Government and is used/reproduced for the purposes of this platform with the permission of the Attorney-General's Chambers. Users of this platform may check Singapore Statutes Online for the latest version of the Singapore legislation.

What to look at next

Road Traffic Act 1961, full textChapter navigation and full text, so you can read this section in contextSingapore legislation Singapore Acts by type and yearGrouped by instrument type and year of enactment, so you can find others of the same kindBrowse by type and year Singapore: what this database coversWhich datasets are here, which official source they come from, and how current they areSingapore overview