GRAB DRIVERS BLAME RTD, MINISTRY
E-hailing drivers irked by lack of clarity on PSV licence
IT may have been April Fool’s Day yesterday, but e-hailing drivers saw nothing funny in the uncertainty over the status of their Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence applications.
Last week, the Road Transport Department (RTD) had announced that drivers could apply for PSV licences from yesterday, and that they have until July 12 to do so.
However, drivers claim that they are still in the dark over what needs to be done and what the requirements are with regard to the application process of the licence, which will soon be made mandatory for e-hailing drivers as part of the government’s move to regulate the industry.
The drivers also claimed that their respective e-hailing companies had yet to be briefed by RTD on what was required of them to facilitate the process.
Yesterday, more than 50 e-hailing drivers flocked to Safety Driving Centre Sdn Bhd, a driving academy in Petaling Jaya, after seeing an “early bird” offer for the PSV course.
However, things became tense when they learnt that they could not take the course yet.
The drivers have since pinned the blame on RTD and the Transport Ministry for allegedly being unclear on the procedures.
Grab Drivers Malaysia Association (GDMA) president Arif Asyraf Ali said there was a lack of clarity on the process.
“We thought the course could be conducted today (yesterday), which would enable us to proceed to the next step to get our licences. But when we showed up, we were told that we would not be able to take the course. This made some drivers angry.”
Arif said the drivers were told that there were preliminary steps that needed to be done prior to registering for the course.
They include a medical checkup, a urine test and submitting their MyKads and driving licences to facilitate a background check.
He said e-hailing company Grab was kept in the dark about the process, and as such, was unable to assist them.
“RTD needs to inform Grab so that the company can guide us on the process.”
In December, the ministry had announced that e-hailing drivers taking the PSV course would be subjected to a background screening and medical check-up.
They also had to undergo a special six-hour driving training module, costing RM200 per person, at a driving school or company accredited by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD).
The ministry had stated that obtaining the PSV was part of the government’s move to regulate the e-hailing industry and create a levelplaying field with taxis.
Taxi groups had long complained about e-hailing drivers not having the need to comply with regulations that taxi drivers were subject to.
Another Grab driver, Choon Lee Kuang, 31, said they wanted to complete the course as soon as possible as they needed to earn a living.
Choon, who has been a driver for three years, said the lack of clear directions had left many drivers agitated.
“The situation (at the driving school) today (yesterday) reflects the lack of direction and information for us drivers.
“Please give us clear and easy instructions. This situation is making things worse for parttime drivers, who already have a lot on their plate.”
Ong Hwee Bin, 38, who has been an e-hailing driver for four years, said the complicated situation had left many part-time drivers pondering their future.
“Most of us do this on a part-time basis. It was simpler before. Now, given all these processes, it seems like an added burden.”
She hoped that the authorities would be more transparent in the future. She said a complicated process would hamper people from signing up as e-hailing drivers and affect the industry.
The PSV, which costs RM115 per year, is a type of vocational driving licence that allows the holder to drive any type of commercial vehicle used for paying passengers, such as taxis and buses.