Debated in Parliament on 29 Feb 2024.
Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport (a) when did LTA start requiring new Taxi Driver's Vocational Licence applicants to have a GCE "O" or "N" level pass in English or at least a Level 3 pass in the Listening, Reading and Speaking modules of the Workplace Literacy-Computer Adaptive Test; and (b) why does LTA require experienced taxi drivers who had their licences revoked and are applying afresh for a vocational licence to also meet this requirement.
Taxi drivers need to have basic proficiency in English to be able to serve their passengers well, as there are locals and foreign visitors who may not understand our local vernacular languages or dialects. That is why taxi drivers are required to have a GCE “O” or “N” level pass in English, or a Level 3 pass in the Listening, Reading and Speaking modules of the Workplace Literacy-computer Adaptive Test. The Workplace Literacy assessment could be completed in about two hours.
Taxi drivers who had their Taxi Driver's Vocational Licences (TDVLs) revoked have to meet prevailing requirements when they apply for a new licence, including language proficiency.
Mr Giam.
I thank the Senior Minister of State for her reply. Sir, many of these drivers have been driving for most of their working life and they have no problem reading road signs or even conversing with passengers in English. But they would have great difficulty passing a two-hour English and math test. Has the Ministry considered that this Workplace Literacy test requirement may present an insurmountable hurdle for taxi drivers, especially these experienced taxi drivers who do not possess the educational qualifications? Can it consider doing away with this test requirement for older, experienced drivers?
Allow me to clarify. First of all, it has been a long-standing requirement for TDVL applicants to have basic English language proficiency. In fact, by 1979, the Registry of Vehicles had introduced an oral English proficiency assessment. For a more comprehensive and objective assessment of the English proficiency level of the applicants, we have required at least a D7 pass at the GCE "O" level or "N" level in the 1990s. The Workplace Literacy and Numeracy Assessment, which is in place of relevant certificates like the GCE "O" level, was in place since 2011. Prior to that, in place of relevant certificates, they could attend an oral English assessment interview. As I have said, this is because the taxi drivers need to communicate effectively with their passengers, who may not be able to speak in the vernacular languages or dialects.
Also, let me clarify that for taxi drivers whose TDVL licences are revoked, they are revoked only if they have committed an offence – a court has sentenced them, for instance – or they have been disqualified or suspended from driving for one year or more, or they have accumulated more than 20 demerit points under the Chauffeured Private Hire Car and Taxi Vocational Licence Demerit Points System within 24 months.
So, if their licence is revoked and they want to get back the licence, they will have to apply as a fresh applicant. Therefore, we require them to fulfil all the prevailing requirements, including English language proficiency. Having said that, because this requirement has been in place for such a long time, most of the TDVL licence holders would have already fulfilled this requirement and all they need to show is documentary proof that they have fulfilled the requirement. If for some reason they are not able to provide this documentary proof, they can appeal to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and we will assess this on a case-by-case basis.
PAPERCUTS