Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
364. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware of cases where long-serving taxi drivers are being refused extensions to the permissible vehicle age limits by the National Transport Authority, including in the case of a person (details supplied); the rationale behind such refusals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37257/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including vehicle age limits for SPSVs, 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.
The NTA as the statutory, independent, regulator made regulations in 2010 that established a maximum permissible age of 10 years for new standard taxis and hackneys. The ten-year rule was adopted in recognition of the need to strike a balance between achieving standards that offer the customer confidence, comfort, and safety, and allowing industry members to operate successfully.
The Consolidated Taxi Regulation Acts 2013 and 2016 require the NTA to seek to promote the provision and maintenance of quality services by SPSVs and their drivers. The Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 continued the age limit for taxis and hackneys as, in general, less than 10 years old, and always of a condition and quality suitable to provide SPSV services. Wheelchair accessible taxis and wheelchair accessible hackneys can operate up to 15-years old. No maximum age is set for limousines due to the vintage nature of many of these vehicles and their reduced mileage, due to their ceremonial and prestigious roles.
The NTA extended vehicle age limits during Covid-19, but this was a temporary measure, aimed at ensuring that no operator would be required to change their vehicle while passenger demand remained low due to the pandemic. The 2022 Regulations provide for a graduated return to the ten-year age limit; however, the Programme for Government 2025 (PfG) contained a commitment to 'extend the ten-year vehicle limit for taxis registered in 2015, offering another year of service.' To address this PfG commitment, the NTA made a new Regulation in April 2015 which permitted an extension to the final operation date of taxis in the fleet that were first registered in 2015, and due to reach their final operation date between 1st January 2025 and 31st December 2025. For those operators with licenced vehicles that met this description, licences could be renewed from April 1st 2025 until its new final operation date in 2026. The NTA does not anticipate introducing any further maximum permissible age extensions.
Given the NTA's responsibility in this area, 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.
