Public Consultation on Draft Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Expired Licence) Regulations 2021
NTA is responsible for regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry in Ireland. As part of this regulatory function, and in accordance with Section 7, Licensing regulations, of the Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 & 2016, NTA may make regulations in relation to the period within which an application for the renewal of the licence has to be made before the expiry of the existing licence.
As at 31 May 2021, the SPSV fleet comprised 21,828 taxis, hackneys and limousines in active and inactive licence status (i.e. eligible to be renewed).
Regulation 17 to the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 specifies that NTA may approve an application by the holder of an expired SPSV licence for a replacement of the expired licence provided that the application is made within twelve months of the expiry of the licence.
The purpose of the Draft Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Expired Licence) Regulations 2021 is to double the period (to 24 months) that taxi, hackney and limousine licences may rest in inactive status after expiry prior to losing the capacity to be reactivated. This amendment is intended to be made as an exceptional provision and emergency measure resultant from the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that public transport, specifically including small public service vehicles, is deemed by Government an essential service. It is not intended that this amendment will be timebound.
Currently SPSV licences must be renewed within 12 months of the licence entering an expired status. Should the proposed measure be introduced into law, an SPSV licence may rest in expired status for a period of 24 months, after which it can no longer be reactivated. This is a permanent amendment to the current Regulations and, as such, benefits can be availed of by all SPSV licence holders.
As part of this assistance package, SPSV Motor Tax and initial NCT fees will also be funded by the State for a 12 month period.
Please also visit the Public Consultation on Draft Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Fees) Regulations 2021 which propose waive and reduce standard vehicle licence renewal fees for 2022.
Draft Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Expired Licence) Regulations 2021
Thank you for expressing your interest in the Public Consultation on Draft Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Expired Licence) Regulations 2021. The closing date for submissions was 17:00 on Friday, 9 July 2021.
Please note that given the volume of submissions received comments or queries will not be responded to on an individual basis. All submissions must include the full name and email address of the person making the submission.
NTA is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and, therefore, must consider any request for information made under that Act. Any submissions received may be published.