The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has revealed that some 5,000 drivers have applied for the new Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence (PDVL), which will soon become a requirement for drivers who want to operate for ride-hailing apps Uber and Grab.
Drivers who want to apply for the PDVL will have to submit their applications by 30th June, following which they will be given up to a year to complete and pass the 10-hour PDVL course. Those who miss the deadline will have to stop driving private-hire cars until they obtain the PDVL. The new regulations were announced by the LTA on 9th March, and drivers were allowed to submit their applications from 13th March.
Uber and Grab have said that they would fully absorb the cost of obtaining the PDVL, which includes application fees, course and test fees, and a medication examination. This comes up to an estimated $250 per driver. Both companies have also set up websites to help process their drivers' applications, and will help submit them to the LTA.
Both ride-hailing companies declined to reveal the numbers of drivers who have applied through their websites. Mr. Andrew Chan, Head of GrabCar Singapore, only said that the response has been "overwhelming".
Uber Singapore's General Manager Warren Tseng said that in the three days following the LTA's announcement, about half of its drivers registered with the firm, to get assistance in obtaining the licence. "We have witnessed tremendous interest," he added.
Private-hire driver Chase Phang, 39, said it may not be 'worth his while' to pay for the licence out of his own pocket, since he drives only part time. "But since Uber is paying, it doesn't hurt to put in 10 hours of my time to take the PDVL course," he added.
