JPJ giving us the runaround, say e-hailing drivers

E-hailing drivers must now apply for the Public Service Vehicle licence.

PETALING JAYA: E-hailing drivers have complained that they are being given the runaround in their application for a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence.

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) had announced that the drivers can register for the licence at driving institutes or e-hailing operator driving centres approved by the department beginning April 1.

The PSV training module will take six hours to complete, with the fee capped at RM200. Upon approval of the licence, the drivers will have to display a special sticker issued by the e-hailing operator.

But when close to 100 e-hailing drivers went to a driving institute here on Monday, they were told to return another day as no preparations had been made for the training programme.

One of them, Fadhil Mohd Isa, 35, took JPJ to task for not providing guidelines on how to apply for the PSV licence.

“They said we could start on April 1 but it is unclear what needs to be done and what the requirements are.

“More than 100 of us came to the driving institute but were told to return another day because they were not ready to conduct the course. Was this an April Fool joke?” he said.

Fadhil said they were also asked to produce the results of a medical check-up although they had not been informed of the requirement earlier.

He said not all drivers could afford to take a day off, and asked if there is an easier way to obtain the licence.

“We only have about two months left before the deadline. Can all the drivers get it done before then?”

He suggested that the government postpone the scheme, saying “many things are unclear”.

Ong Hwee Bin.

Another driver, Ong Hwee Bin, 38, said it was unfair to keep the drivers in the dark.

She claimed the procedure for applying for the PSV licence was not stated in black and white but only relayed through “word of mouth”.

Ong said she found the process “frustrating”.

Nik Ikmal Nik Hisham, 29, who works at a tuition centre, said he would consider quitting driving as a part-time job if it was so difficult to apply for a licence.

FMT is attempting to reach JPJ for comment. - FMT