Today, following public consultation, the NTA Board approved the signing of the Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Fees) Regulations 2020. To assist the SPSV industry which has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and to retain a supply of SPSVs for the travelling public nationwide in the future, funding will be made available to NTA to waive standard vehicle licence renewal fees for the calendar year 2021. The intention of the 2021 renewal fee waiver is to keep operators attached to the industry through financial assistance, coupled with regulatory, technical and health guidance provided.
The purpose of the Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Fees) Regulations 2020 is to give effect to the renewal fee waiver by temporarily amending the renewal fees referenced in Schedule 1 to the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 through a standalone, time bound clause for the calendar year 2021. The terms and conditions applicable to SPSV inspections including those governing cancellations and no-shows, will also be amended in light of the Draft Small Public Service Vehicle (Emergency Measure COVID-19) (Fees) Regulations 2020.
NTA has extended the temporary waiver on late renewal fees (up to €500) to 12 June 2021. After this date, a reduced late renewal fee will be payable in respect of renewing an expired SPSV licence until 31 December 2021. SPSV licences must be renewed within 12 months of the licence entering an expired status.
These Regulations come into effect on 01 January 2021 and will automatically fall away after 31 December 2021 and Schedule 1 of the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 will apply.