4. Developing the Taxi Transformation Plan - SPAD

4.5) Initiative 3 – Driver Standards
4.5.1) Driver Training and Testing
Currently drivers are required to meet few standards before they can obtain a driver card. In
order to obtain a drivers card one simply takes a regular driving licence to JPJ and provided
the applicant has 5 years experience then they are awarded a driver card upon payment of the
fee of RM350. The international benchmarking exercise has revealed that this is not common
practice with all benchmarked authorities requiring some element of testing and training
requirements to be in place. The public feedback highlighted a number of driver concerns
including a lack of customer service and lack of local knowledge.
In order to improve quality, training and testing regime should be implemented in order to
improve driver quality standards. SPAD will work with a third party to set up a driver training
scheme to cover the following core areas:
Knowledge of the local area and key demand generators
Customer service
Basic numeracy and literacy (English fluency test)
Health, safety and security
Rules and regulations
First Aid
This could be implemented and operated directly by SPAD but the recommended approach
would be to work with an existing training provider to develop an accredited course with
suitable content and delivery methods. This would ensure a consistent approach to training.
This is the approach adopted in London, New York and Singapore. Once the training scheme
has been developed all new applicants for a driver card must be required to successfully
complete the training scheme and to undergo a test to ensure they have understood the
content of the training. SPAD will need to input resources to develop the training programme
with their chosen local provider and provide initial subsidy. International experience suggests
it would be reasonable to expect new applicants to part contribute to the cost of the training.
In order to drive up quality more rapidly the training programme can be rolled out to existing
drivers. The resources required to undertake training with all drivers is likely to be prohibitive
therefore the recommendation would be for existing drivers to undertake training if they are
reported, receive complaints or are found to have received any law enforcement. The
licensing process must be reviewed in order to implement this requirement to attend
mandatory training.
It is further recommended that a comprehensive medical process be introduced in line with the
findings of the international best practice. A medical assessment should be obligatory for all
drivers, incorporating not only physical but psychological assessments to ensure the applicant
is fit to practice as a taxi driver. A certificate would be provided which would need to be
presented as part of the first driver licence application process and also when renewing the
licenses. This would certify that the applicant was fit to work as a taxi driver in the view of a
qualified doctor. The licensing requirements would need to be updated to ensure a driver is
obliged to notify the driver licensing body should their ability to work change. A medical
examination is a common requirement of the licensing process in many parts of the world.
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