Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Transport the reason a brand new vehicle has to be brought for a National Car Test when purchased for carriage work by a PSV licence holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36791/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The licensing of small public service vehicles, taxis, hackneys and limousines, is governed by regulations made under the Road Traffic Acts and by the Commission for Taxi Regulation under the Taxi Regulation Act 2003. In accordance with the 2003 Act, the Commission for Taxi Regulation is the independent body responsible for the development and maintenance of the regulatory framework for the control and operation, including licensing, of small public service vehicles and their drivers.

The licensing of small public service vehicles is subject to testing of suitability requirements which are in addition to those relating to the usual vehicle roadworthiness requirements for a private vehicle and hence the need for vehicles being put into service as small public service vehicles to have been tested in advance.

I should draw the attention of the Deputy to the National Vehicle Standards Requirements for Small Public Service Vehicles, (Chapter 11) published by the Commission in November 2007 (and available at the Commission's website, www.taxiregulator.ie), which outlines proposed reforms in this area which the Commission proposes to introduce on a phased basis between 2009 and 2012.