Road Traffic (Chauffeured Private Hire Car and Taxi Vocational Licence Demerit Points System) Rules 2017

No. S 365

Road Traffic Act

(CHAPTER 276)

Road Traffic
(Chauffeured Private Hire Car and
Taxi Vocational Licence Demerit Points System)
Rules 2017

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 111 of the Road Traffic Act, the Land Transport Authority of Singapore makes the following Rules:

Citation and commencement

1.  These Rules are the Road Traffic (Chauffeured Private Hire Car and Taxi Vocational Licence Demerit Points System) Rules 2017 and come into operation on 1 July 2017.

Definitions

2.  In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires —

“chauffeured private hire car” has the same meaning as in the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Vocational Licences and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors, Trishaw Riders and Passengers) Rules (R 8);

“scheduled offence” means an offence specified in the first column of the First Schedule;

“vocational licence” means a licence granted under rule 6(1) of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Vocational Licences and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors, Trishaw Riders and Passengers) Rules authorising an individual to drive either or both the following public service vehicles:

(a) a chauffeured private hire car;

(b) a taxi.

Award of demerit points

3.—(1)  Where the holder of a vocational licence —

(a) is convicted of a scheduled offence; or

(b) pays a sum of money to compound a scheduled offence he or she is reasonably suspected to have committed,

the Registrar must award against that holder the demerit points specified in the third column of the First Schedule for that scheduled offence.

(2)  Any demerit points awarded under paragraph (1) take effect —

(a) in the case of a conviction for a scheduled offence, on the date on which the scheduled offence is committed; or

(b) in the case where the scheduled offence is compounded, on the date on which the scheduled offence is reasonably suspected to have been committed.

(3)  The Registrar must keep a register setting out the names and other particulars of all holders of vocational licences who have been awarded demerit points.

Suspension and revocation of vocational licence

4.—(1)  For the purposes of section 110(4)(b) of the Act, a holder of a vocational licence may be regarded as not a fit or proper person to hold the vocational licence because of conduct according to paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively.

(2)  A vocational licence may be suspended for the period specified in the second column of the Second Schedule if the total number of demerit points awarded within a relevant period against the holder of the vocational licence falls within the corresponding range of demerit points specified in the first column of the Second Schedule.

(3)  A vocational licence may be revoked if the total number of demerit points awarded within a relevant period against the holder of the vocational licence exceeds 20.

(4)  For the purposes of paragraphs (2) and (3), a relevant period means any period of 24 months ending on the date of the latest commission or alleged commission of a scheduled offence within that period.

Registrar to give notice

5.—(1)  Where the Registrar intends to suspend or revoke a vocational licence under rule 4, the Registrar must give the holder of the vocational licence a notice in writing —

(a) containing the date on which the suspension or revocation is intended to take effect; and

(b) specifying the time (being not less than 14 days after the date that the notice is given to the holder) within which written representations may be made to the Registrar with respect to the proposed suspension or revocation.

(2)  At the end of the period specified in the notice under paragraph (1)(b), the Registrar, after considering any written representation made —

(a) may suspend or revoke the vocational licence if the Registrar considers appropriate; and

(b) must notify the holder of the vocational licence of the Registrar’s decision by notice in writing.

Revocation

6.  The Road Traffic (Taxi Vocational Licence Demerit Points System) Rules (R 43) are revoked.

Saving and transitional provision

7.—(1)  Despite rule 6, the revoked Road Traffic (Taxi Vocational Licence Demerit Points System) Rules (R 43) continue to apply to any scheduled offence listed in the First Schedule to those Rules that was committed, or reasonably suspected to have been committed, before 1 July 2017 even if the offence is discovered after that date.

(2)  Any demerit points awarded against a holder of a vocational licence to drive a taxi under rule 3 of the revoked Road Traffic (Taxi Vocational Licence Demerit Points System) Rules is to be treated as though the demerit points were awarded against a holder of a vocational licence under rule 3 of these Rules.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Rules 2 and 3(1)

Scheduled offences

Part 1

HOLDER OF VOCATIONAL LICENCE FOR BOTH CHAUFFEURED PRIVATE HIRE CAR AND TAXI

First column		Second column		Third column
Offences		Offence provision		Demerit points
1. Using, causing or permitting a motor vehicle to be used as a chauffeured private hire car or taxi when there is no public service vehicle licence authorising such use		Section 101(1) RTA		21
2. Driving chauffeured private hire car or taxi with expired vocational licence		Section 110(1) RTA		21
3. Permitting chauffeured private hire car or taxi to be driven by driver whose vocational licence is under suspension or by unlicensed driver		Section 110(1) RTA		21
4. Driving chauffeured private hire car or taxi whilst vocational licence is suspended		Section 110(1) RTA		21
5. Permitting any other person to use, or have in that other person’s possession, his or her vocational licence		Rule 17 PSVC		21
5A. Installing, or causing or permitting to be installed, audio recording equipment in or on a chauffeured private hire car or taxi		Rule 14B(1) PSV		21
5B. Using, or causing or permitting to be used, audio recording equipment installed in or on a chauffeured private hire car or taxi to record sounds within the vehicle without permission		Rule 14B(4) PSV		21
5C. Installing, or causing or permitting to be installed, visual recording equipment in or on a chauffeured private hire car or taxi		Rule 14C(1) PSV		21
5D. Using, or causing or permitting to be used, visual recording equipment installed in or on a chauffeured private hire car or taxi to make a visual recording within the vehicle without permission		Rule 14C(4) PSV		21
5E. Disclosing, or causing or allowing to be disclosed, a visual recording made of any person or thing, or the occurrence of any incident, within a chauffeured private hire car or taxi		Rule 14D(1) PSV		21
6. Using, wearing or having in his or her possession the vocational licence of another person		Rule 20 PSVC		5
7. Causing hurt to passenger in chauffeured private hire car or taxi through carelessness or wilful misbehaviour		Rule 21(1)(m) PSVC		5
8. Verbally insulting, intimidating or harassing a passenger in a sexual manner		Rule 22B(d) PSVC		5
9. Terminating hiring of chauffeured private hire car or taxi, or requiring passenger to leave chauffeured private hire car or taxi, without reasonable excuse, before passenger is conveyed to destination		Rule 22B(b) PSVC		5
9A. Obstructing or obscuring the front windscreen of a chauffeured private hire car or taxi		Rule 6(1) PSV		5
10. Obstructing Registrar or authorised officer in the exercise of his or her power and duty to examine chauffeured private hire car or taxi		Rule 12(2) PSV		3
11. Failing to surrender vocational licence upon suspension or cancellation of vocational licence		Rule 15(1) PSVC		3
12. Verbally insulting, intimidating or harassing a passenger (other than in a sexual manner)		Rule 22B(d) PSVC		3.
13. Failing to deposit property left in the vehicle in the manner required (for more than 24 hours but less than 7 days)		Rule 39(1) or (1A) PSVC		5
14. Failing to deposit property left in the vehicle in the manner required (for more than 7 days)		Rule 39(1) or (1A) PSVC		21
15. Intentionally taking booking for on-demand passenger transport service from unauthorised provider of ride-hail service		Section 11(1) Point-to-Point Passenger Transport Industry Act 2019 (Act 20 of 2019)		6
16. Taking from passenger ride-hail fare inconsistent with ride-hail fare pricing policy (by $20 or more)		Section 23(2A)(a) read with section 23(4) PTCA		21
17. Taking from passenger ride-hail fare inconsistent with ride-hail fare pricing policy (by less than $20)		Section 23(2A)(a) read with section 23(4) PTCA		12
18. Taking from passenger ride-hail fare more than ride-hail fare last published by the ride-hail service licensee for ride-hail service (by $20 or more)		Section 23(2A)(b) read with section 23(4) PTCA		21
19. Taking from passenger ride-hail fare more than ride-hail fare last published by the ride-hail service licensee for ride-hail service (by less than $20)		Section 23(2A)(b) read with section 23(4) PTCA		12

[S 921/2020 wef 30/10/2020]

[S 413/2018 wef 22/06/2018]

Part 2

HOLDER OF VOCATIONAL LICENCE FOR CHAUFFEURED PRIVATE HIRE CAR ONLY

First column		Second column		Third column
Offences		Offence provision		Demerit points
1. Loitering for the purpose of soliciting for passengers		Rule 22A(1) PSVC		12
2. Soliciting for passengers		Rule 22A(1) PSVC		12
3. Driving a chauffeured private hire car without displaying an authorised decalcomania		Rule 22C(1)(a) PSVC		21
4. Driving a chauffeured private hire car with an authorised decalcomania that is not properly affixed		Rule 22C(1)(b) PSVC		12
5. Driving a chauffeured private hire car with an authorised decalcomania that is defaced, covered, obscured or altered		Rule 22C(1)(c) PSVC		12
6. Driving a chauffeured private hire car with an authorised decalcomania that is illegible		Rule 22C(1)(d) PSVC		12
7. Driving a chauffeured private hire car with an authorised decalcomania that is discoloured by fading or otherwise		Rule 22C(1)(e) PSVC		12
8. Affixing or causing to affix an authorised decalcomania on a chauffeured private hire car other than a chauffeured private hire car for which the marking was issued		Rule 38A(4) PSV		12
9. Removing authorised decalcomania without authority		Rule 38D PSV		21
10. Affixing or displaying, or causing to be affixed or displayed, on a vehicle that is not a chauffeured private hire car a decalcomania or label with chauffeured private hire car marking		Rule 34 Road Traffic Rules (R 20)		12
11. Plying, or causing or permitting, a chauffeured private hire car to ply for hire		Rule 40(1) PSV		21.

Part 3

HOLDER OF VOCATIONAL LICENCE FOR TAXI ONLY

First column		Second column		Third column
Offences		Offence provision		Demerit points
1. Taking from taxi passenger taxi fare inconsistent with any part of taxi fare pricing policy for taxi service (by $20 or more)		Section 23(2)(a) read with section 23(4) PTCA as in force before 30 October 2020		21
2. Taking from taxi passenger taxi fare more than taxi fare last published by the licensed taxi service operator for taxi service (by $20 or more)		Section 23(2)(b) read with section 23(4) PTCA as in force before 30 October 2020		21
2A. Taking from taxi passenger street-hail fare inconsistent with any part of street-hail fare pricing policy for street-hail service (by $20 or more)		Section 23(2)(a) read with section 23(4) PTCA		21
2B. Taking from taxi passenger street-hail fare more than street-hail fare last published by the street-hail service licensee for street-hail service (by $20 or more)		Section 23(2)(b) read with section 23(4) PTCA		21
3. Tampering with, adjusting, altering or modifying taximeter or any part thereof, or causing or permitting any tampering with, adjusting, altering or modifying of taximeter or any part thereof		Rule 21(2) PSV		21
4. Collecting booking fee that exceeds booking fee set by registered provider (by $20 or more)		Rule 23(1)(l) PSVC		21
5. Retaining possession of passenger’s property left behind in taxi for 7 days or more		Rule 39(1) PSVC		21
6. Taking from taxi passenger taxi fare inconsistent with any part of taxi fare pricing policy for taxi service (by less than $20)		Section 23(2)(a) read with section 23(4) PTCA as in force before 30 October 2020		12
7. Taking from taxi passenger taxi fare more than taxi fare last published by the licensed taxi service operator for taxi service (by less than $20)		Section 23(2)(b) read with section 23(4) PTCA as in force before 30 October 2020		12
7A. Taking from taxi passenger street-hail fare inconsistent with any part of street-hail fare pricing policy for street-hail service (by less than $20)		Section 23(2)(a) read with section 23(4) PTCA		12
7B. Taking from taxi passenger street-hail fare more than street-hail fare last published by the street-hail service licensee for street-hail service (by less than $20)		Section 23(2)(b) read with section 23(4) PTCA		12
8. Collecting booking fee that exceeds booking fee set by registered provider (by less than $20)		Rule 23(1)(l) PSVC		12
9. Soliciting for passengers		Rule 23(1)(o) PSVC		12
10. Refusing, without reasonable excuse, to hire out taxi or to convey passenger		Rule 25 PSVC		6
11. Covering or obscuring face of taximeter		Rule 23(1)(g) PSVC		5
12. Retaining possession of passenger’s property left behind in taxi for more than 24 hours but less than 7 days		Rule 39(1) PSVC		5
13. Demanding from taxi passenger taxi fare inconsistent with any part of taxi fare pricing policy for taxi service		Section 23(2)(a) read with section 23(4) PTCA as in force before 30 October 2020		3
14. Demanding from taxi passenger taxi fare more than taxi fare last published by licensed taxi service operator for taxi service		Section 23(2)(b) read with section 23(4) PTCA as in force before 30 October 2020		3
14A. Demanding from taxi passenger street-hail fare inconsistent with any part of street-hail fare pricing policy for street-hail service		Section 23(2)(a) read with section 23(4) PTCA		3
14B. Demanding from taxi passenger street-hail fare more than street-hail fare last published by street-hail service licensee for street-hail service		Section 23(2)(b) read with section 23(4) PTCA		3
15. Hindering or obstructing other taxi drivers from picking up passengers		Rule 22(1)(b) PSVC		3
16. Failing, without reasonable cause, to proceed to destination named by a passenger by shortest and most direct route		Rule 23(1)(c) PSVC		3
17. Starting taximeter before boarding of passenger or passengers, and hiring of taxi		Rule 23(1)(d) PSVC		3
18. Failing to stop taximeter as soon as hiring of taxi is terminated		Rule 23(1)(da) PSVC		3
19. Resetting taximeter during hiring		Rule 23(1)(e) PSVC		3
20. Attempting to collect booking fee that exceeds booking fee set by registered provider		Rule 23(1)(l) PSVC		3
21. Taking up or setting down passenger at unauthorised place		Rule 26(1)(c) PSVC		3
22. Failing to drive into taxi stand from rear and into foremost adjacent vacant space thereat until reaching front of taxi stand		Rule 27(9) PSVC		3
23. Wilfully obstructing, impeding or preventing other taxi drivers from stopping, parking or stationing their taxis at taxi stand		Rule 27(13) PSVC		3
24. Stopping, parking or stationing taxi at taxi stand when unable to let out taxi for hire		Rule 27(18) PSVC		3.

[S 921/2020 wef 30/10/2020]

Note:

In this Schedule —

“PSV” means the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Rules (R 14);

“PSVC” means the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Vocational Licences and Conduct of Drivers, Conductors, Trishaw Riders and Passengers) Rules (R 8);

“PTCA” means the Public Transport Council Act (Cap. 259B);

“RTA” means the Road Traffic Act.

SECOND SCHEDULE

Rule 4(2)

Period of suspension

First column		Second column
Applicable number of demerit points		Suspension period
1 to 5		No suspension
6 to 10		2 weeks
11 to 15		4 weeks
16 or more		8 weeks.

Made on 30 June 2017.

CHAN HENG LOON ALAN

Chairman,
Land Transport Authority of Singapore.

[LTA/NN/TS/L18.030.002/02.17(VLPS); AG/LEGIS/SL/276/2015/24 Vol. 1]

(To be presented to Parliament under section 141(1) of the Road Traffic Act).