The Malaysian Insight

DRIVERS without a valid Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence are still taking fares and ferrying customers around, according to the Malaysia e-Hailing Drivers Association (Mehda), as the new licensing requirement kicks in today.

Many e-hailing companies have not suspended drivers who have yet to obtain their PSV licences because they need to continue working, Mehda President Daryl Chong told The Malaysian Insight.

Chong said the drivers are taking risks by continuing to work without PSV licences because they needed the money.

“We initially suspended our e-hailing app service from midnight last night, but due to complaints from drivers our app was live at 6am,” said e-hailing company Dacsee vehicle management manager Andrew Chuan.

“The drivers told us that Grab, MyCar and EZcar drivers who had not obtained their PSV licences were still driving,” said Chuah.

Dacsee has more than 400 drivers but only around 10 drivers who want to obtain a PSV licence.

Chuah said the drivers were willing to take a risk and face penalties because the Road Transport Department had not specified the punishment yet.

“We don’t even know what penalties will be imposed on the driver if they are caught working without a PSV licence.

“I have only heard rumours that the driver will be fined while the car will be impounded if they are caught,” said Chuah.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke is scheduled to hold a press conference at 4pm today to make an announcement about this issue.

A Grab spokesperson told The Malaysian Insight that the company would issue a statement, pending Loke’s announcement.

One e-hailing driver, who declined to give his name, said that he was driving without a PSV licence.

“Although, the deadline is today, I have not heard about any ban yet,” the Grab driver told The Malaysian Insight.

Another driver said he did want to take any risks and would wait for new announcements by Grab before deciding what to do next.

The Transport Ministry set July 12 for all e-hailing drivers to obtain a PSV licence, as part of a move to standardise the e-hailing industry and taxi services.

A Grab driver said he was expecting those who were part-time drivers to drop out because of the licensing requirements and related costs.

Drivers need to take a six-hour training session and pay up to RM200 for the PSV licence. Cars more than three years old are required to get initial and subsequently annual Puspakom checks.

Other requirements including medical checks, contributing to Socso, additional insurance and installing fire extinguishers in cars.

Another Grab driver said the process to get the licence was taking up precious time. While Puspakom had cleared his car, he still had to wait for the permit and other paperwork.

Yesterday, Grab warned of longer wait times and possibly higher fares due to a shortage of drivers.

A Grab user from Mont Kiara going to Jalan Ampang this morning said her fare – normally RM15-RM17 – was RM26 today. – July 12, 2019.