Limo licence (not for tax purposes)

the lady

I was thinking Limo driver might me the job for me, do I need to get a taxi licence in order to apply for one of these jobs and if so is there a test I need to do?

Volvoboy

You need to sit a PSV test in your area in order to drive a Taxi/Limo/Hackney,

Here's the details from the taxi reg's site;

To qualify for a SPSV driver’s licence, a person must hold a current valid driving licence and a valid original tax clearance certificate in the name of the licence holder. All applicants must satisfy An Garda Síochána that he/she is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence and has a good knowledge of the geography of the area as well as the SPSV regulations and general road traffic legislation. SPSV driver’s 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.

Working closely with An Garda Síochána, the Commission for Taxi Regulation will put in place a new SPSV driver’s licence application process in 2008/2009. An Garda Síochána will continue to play a key role in the new system, in particular, in relation to vetting the character of applicants. The Commission for Taxi Regulation will take responsibility for the administration of the application process and the issue of licences. Licence holders will be notified directly of the changes, once they are put in place.

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, a new SPSV skills development programme will be put in place. It will be necessary for new applicants to complete the Skills Development Assessment when the Commission takes over driver licensing in 2008/2009.

The existing application process involves the fee of €15 for a five year licence being paid in two parts to the local authority – €12 for the application and €3 on receipt of the licence in order to get a driver’s badge. Although the fees are paid to the local authority, the application is currently made to and processed by An Garda Síochána. The Commission for Taxi Regulation will streamline and modernise the driver licence application process in 2008/2009. A review of the SPSV driver’s licence fee will also take place in 2008/2009.

The licence certificate and badge given to SPSV drivers by An Garda Siochana have been replaced by a ‘smart card’ which has enhanced security features that enables it to be scanned and verified for enforcement purposes. The card shows a photograph of the driver together with his/her SPSV driver’s licence number and licence expiry date. This smart card must be carried by the SPSV driver at all times while operating.


A driver (ID) card is also provided to licence holders in issue of their SPSV drivers licence. It is a requirement that the ID be clearly displayed on the dashboard of the SPSV at all times while operating as a SPSV. Each card shows a photograph of the driver, the driver’s name, his/her SPSV licence (badge) 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.


Details of the new process for SPSV driver licensing will be forwarded to all licence holders when the function is assumed by the Commission.

Currently, the licence number issued on the SPSV driver licence identification is the licence (badge) number issued by the Gardai on grant of the licence. When the Commission assumes responsibility for SPSV driver licensing, each SPSV driver will be issued a new six digit number.



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.


http://www.taxireg.ie/industry/driver-licensing-and-training/driver-licensing.html

Best of luck!