‘EXTEND DEADLINE TO GET PSV LICENCE’
Time allocated for 200,000 e-hailing drivers to apply for licence too short, says association head
E-HAILING drivers hope more time will be given to them to obtain the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence.
Grab Drivers Malaysia Association president Arif Asyraf Ali said the time allocated by the government for the 200,000 e-hailing drivers to apply for their PSV licence was too short as the module was introduced on April 1.
“As its enforcement is from July 12, the time frame (to obtain the licence) is too short.
“We have less than three months to obtain the licence.
“We hope for an extension of at least six
months to enable drivers to get their PSV licence.”
Arif said e-hailing drivers were burdened with issues that hindered them from getting the PSV licence.
This included some driving schools being unable to accommodate a high number of e-hailing drivers, as only one training session for 50 participants was conducted per week, he said.
“There is also the issue of high number of failures for the PSV test, which is conducted only in Bahasa Malaysia.
“There are claims that the exam did not follow the training module.”
He claimed that from the 100 e-hailing drivers who took the test, all failed because they only had one hour to answer 60 questions.
He said those who failed had to wait to resit the exam and this caused delays for them to re-apply for their PSV.
Arif said 442 disabled drivers were affected as they had yet to receive neither information nor guidelines for their PSV application.
He said this at a press conference, which was attended by e-hailing drivers’ representatives, at The Port in Bandar Utama here yesterday.
Arif also raised the issue of high cost, with some drivers claiming to have forked out up to RM1,000 which included hidden charges imposed by some driving schools.
He claimed that less than 10 per cent of the 200,000 e-hailing drivers were registered for the PSV licence.
On the number of drivers who had passed the PSV test, Arif said the figure was not available.
With Hari Raya Aidilfitri around the corner, he said drivers were under pressure to earn extra income.
“On top of this, they have to spend their own money to obtain the PSV licence.”
E-hailing drivers are required to sit a sixhour driving training module costing RM200 per person at driving schools or companies accredited by the Land Transport Agency, with an additional RM20 for the PSV card.
On top of that, they are subjected to background screenings and required to undergo medical check-ups.
Other e-hailing representatives expressed their concern as time was running out for most drivers who had yet to apply for the PSV licence.
Dacsee community developer manager Asliza Ali said the number of setbacks would only lead to more e-hailing drivers quitting.
“For example, the training session is too long and it affects the drivers’ earning on that particular day.
“Also, some said the questions were tough and had little to do with the job they are performing.
“Drivers who managed to register for the training session were told that their session would only start two weeks after registration. Because of the long waiting period, some drivers seek our help to provide a solution, but we are unable to do anything.”
Asliza hoped the government could provide better facilities to ensure e-hailing drivers were able to secure their PSV licence.
MyCar Sdn Bhd government affairs executive Mohd Shahrizat Jasmi said the government should have been clearer with the guidelines on PSV licensing from the beginning.
“While we support the government’s initiative, we hope the ministry will consider extending the deadline after taking into consideration the issues we are facing.
“Although we are pressed for time, we have to face challenges when applying for the PSV licence.
“Many have expressed concern about the hidden charges imposed by some driving schools.
“We hope the government can provide a clearer explanation on the licensing guidelines and carry out strict enforcement to curb certain parties from profiteering.”
Shahrizat said disabled drivers had yet to be notified on their status and there were no guidelines for them on how to obtain the PSV licence.
Since July last year, the Transport Ministry has been regulating e-hailing services through the SPAD Act (2017 amendment) and Commercial Vehicle Licence Act (2017 amendment).
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said as of last month, 16 out of 25 e-hailing operators had been approved to conduct training for drivers.
Loke said more than 1,000 e-hailing drivers had already applied for the PSV licence and urged drivers to not wait until the last minute.