Duties of drivers of Small Public Service Vehicles (SPSVs)

Rules

What are the duties of small public service vehicle drivers?

In-vehicle information display: Drivers must display their SPSV driver licence number on their badge. The regulations require all drivers to also have the following information on display:

• The five digit National Licence Number on the roof sign of the taxi.
• National Licence Number and expiry date, vehicle registration number and number of passengers the vehicle is licensed to carry (on a tamper proof disc on the front and rear windscreen).
• Details on the new national taxi fare and information on how to make a complaint and report good service to the Directorate. (This will be displayed on the front sun visor and on a double–sided sticker on the rear right window of the vehicle).
• Details on how to make a complaint or report good service to the Directorate (on the rear left window).
• Hackney cabs have to display outward facing signs stating Hackney – Do not hail – Pre book only (on both rear side windows of the vehicle).

This information is required to be on display on an A4 notice in limousines. Since October 2006 it has been an offence for a driver not to have this information on display. If found guilty, the driver can be fined a maximum of €1,500.

From 1 August 2011, the roof sign of a taxi must include a one- or two-letter code to indicate the county in which the driver is licensed to operate. Failure to do so is an offense, leaving the driver liable to prosecution with a maximum fine of €2,500.

Right to refuse a passenger: Drivers have the right to refuse to take a fare from you if you are unable to prove that you can pay the fare. They cannot unreasonably refuse to take you up to a distance of 30 kilometres. They may, however, refuse to take you any further.

Taking the shortest route: Under Section 39 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2003, drivers must take the shortest possible route when taking you to your destination.

Fares: Section 39 of the 2003 Act also makes it an offence for a driver to charge you more than the maximum fare shown on the taximeter or in the case of a hackney or limousine, the agreed amount at the start of the journey. If a driver is found guilty of overcharging or not using the meter, they can be fined up to €3,000 or face possible imprisonment.

Operation of equipment: Taxi drivers must use a taximeter that has been tested and sealed by the Legal Metrology Service (LMS) to calculate the fare if the journey is within their taximeter area. Drivers must ensure that the meter is in good working order as set out in the Metrology Act 1996. Since September 2006, taxi drivers have been required to have the new national fare structure programmed into their meters. It is an offence to operate a taxi after that date without the meter being set up to charge accordingly.

Issuing of receipts: All taxis are required to issue you with a printed receipt from the taximeter upon payment of the fare. Since 25 September 2006 hackney cabs and limousines must also issue you with a receipt (which may be handwritten).

Accessibility: SPSV drivers are obliged to facilitate passengers who use wheelchairs if they have a wheelchair accessible vehicle and licence. Drivers of wheelchair accessible SPSVs must ensure that their vehicle adheres to the standards as set out in the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 1997. Since September 2006, drivers have to display Braille stickers inside their vehicle detailing the SPSV licence number and contact details for the Commission. Since 2008 for newly issued licences, wheelchair accessible vehicles have to meet the standards set out in the Directorate's publication National Vehicle Standards (pdf) which was published in November 2007.

Lost Property: SPSV drivers are obliged to hand in any lost property left in their vehicle to An Garda Síochána. Drivers based in Dublin are obliged to hand goods into the following Garda Stations:

• Finglas Garda Station
• Irishtown Garda Station
• Shankill Garda Station
• Store Street Garda Station
• Tallaght Garda Station

Drivers located outside Dublin must hand property into the local Garda Station.

Compliance with road traffic legislation

Drivers of SPSVs in Ireland must comply with Road Traffic legislation as laid out in the various Road Traffic Acts. This means that they are obliged to obey the national road speed limits, wear seatbelts at all times when driving, carry their driving licence with them at all times and ensure that their have adequate and current motor tax and motor insurance.

In common with all motorists, SPSV drivers may receive penalty points and fines if found guilty of certain driving offences