The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has clarified that while English proficiency is not a formal requirement for applicants seeking a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence, all drivers must adhere to strict safety and competency standards as stipulated by law. In response to inquiries about the PSV licensing criteria, LTA CEO Irimaia Rokosawa explained that the assessments conducted are in line with the LTA Act and its regulations.
Rokosawa emphasized that the evaluation mainly focuses on an applicant’s ability to safely operate PSV vehicles, with specific attention to driving competency, knowledge of road safety, and compliance with operational standards for PSVs. He acknowledged the importance of language comprehension for effective communication with passengers and enforcement authorities. However, he reiterated that the primary requirement remains the safe and responsible driving of PSV vehicles.
Currently, the LTA does not mandate a formal English language proficiency test for PSV licence applicants. Nevertheless, the authority is actively working to ensure that appropriate standards are upheld for PSV applicants, particularly those brought into the country, which includes the ability to communicate in basic English without requiring an interpreter during the assessment process.
Moreover, foreign applicants seeking licence conversion are required to pass the LTA driving test, and importantly, the same standards apply to all applicants regardless of their nationality.
This approach reflects LTA’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards while recognizing the diverse backgrounds of PSV drivers. By enhancing communication skills among drivers, it uses a proactive strategy to improve service quality and safety within the public transport sector.
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