Written Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan to Parliamentary Question on Setting Minimum Age Limit for Drivers of Private Hire Vehicles

Mr Zainal Sapari asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider having a minimum age of 27 years for drivers of private hire vehicles based on accident-age risk assessment of drivers.

Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan:

1.     Our view is that requiring private hire car drivers to have a minimum driving experience of two years should be adequate to reasonably ensure passenger safety. There is no need to also discriminate on the basis of age. In fact, where safety is concerned, the number of years of driving experience may be more important than age. An older person who has just gotten his driving licence might be less confident behind the wheels, compared to a younger person, say 25 years old, who has been driving for a few years.