Oral Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Amy Khor to Parliamentary Question on Taxi Drivers' Vocational Licence

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.

Reply by Senior Minister of State for Transport Dr Amy Khor:

1.     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 and 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.

2.     Taxi drivers who had their TDVLs revoked have to meet prevailing requirements when they apply for a new licence, including language proficiency.