EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations make provision for the licensing of taxi drivers under the Taxi Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
Part 1 (regulations 1 and 2) contains the general commencement and interpretation provisions.
Part 2 (regulations 3 to 6) contains matters relating to the application for a taxi driver’s licence. In particular:
(a)the fees payable, £140 for a new licence and £105 for a renewal (regulation 3) and
(b)the periodic training requirements including disability awareness training, that all taxi drivers from September 2016 will be liable to attain before the renewal of their licences (regulation 4).
Part 3 (regulations 7 to 20 and Schedules 1, 2 and 3) sets out the testing requirements and the nature and order of the tests to obtain a taxi driver’s licence. The fees for individual tests are:
(a)taxi theory test £34.00,
(b)practical test (Mon to Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm), £60.00 any other time £90.00 (regulations 11 and 13)
Part 4 (regulations 21 and 22) contains supplementary and transitional provisions. In particular, if an applicant suffers from any of the disabilities set out in regulation 21 a taxi driver’s licence shall not be granted.
The Taxis (2008 Act) (Commencement No.3) Order (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.I. 2014 No.238(C.15)) provides for the coming into operation of the enabling provisions under which these Regulations are made.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment and Explanatory Memorandum has been prepared and copies are available from Road Safety and Vehicle Regulation Division, Department of the Environment, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Town Parks, Belfast BT2 8GB. or viewed online at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr