Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:303. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport the status of a PSV licence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3268/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 15 January 2026
Ceisteanna (303)
Freagraí scríofa
The regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including SPSV licensing, is a matter for the independent transport regulator, the National Transport Authority (NTA), under the provisions of the Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016. I have no role in the day-to-day operations of the SPSV sector.
There are two statutory bodies involved in the SPSV driver licensing process; the NTA and An Garda Síochána (AGS). As set out in section 6(2) of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013, AGS is the driver licensing authority for SPSVs in Ireland and is responsible for:
• Vetting applicants to assess their suitability
• Administering applications received
• Where appropriate, granting and renewing SPSV driver licences.
The NTA is responsible for:
• Administering the SPSV Driver Entry Test
• Processing SPSV driver licence fees
• Issuing the SPSV driver identity and display cards, on receipt of the SPSV Driver Licence from An Garda Síochána
• Maintaining the SPSV driver and vehicle licence register, together with the Driver Check App.
From an analysis carried out on driver licence issuance in the first half of 2025, the average time between a candidate passing their SPSV Driver Entry Test to having their driver licence issued, was 15 weeks for Dublin and 13 weeks for the rest of the country.
Given the NTA's responsibility regarding vehicle licensing, I have referred your question to the NTA for further information. Please advise my private office if you have not received a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.