The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Land Transport Authority have announced amendments to the Land Transport Regulations 2000 to streamline the eligibility process for drivers seeking to apply for a bus driver’s licence.
Previously, to acquire a bus driver’s license drivers had to hold a taxi, carrier or mini-bus, or large vehicle license for over a year before they were eligible to apply for a bus driver’s license.
The amendments to the regulation remove this eligibility requirement, as the requirement was determined to be unduly prescriptive and irrelevant in screening for successful applicants.
The age of eligibility has also been brought down to 18 years from 21 years.
LTA General Manager Legal, Navilesh Chand, emphasized that all applicants would still undergo the same rigorous testing system currently in place to acquire a bus driver’s license.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Praveen Bala welcomed the amended regulations as a positive step towards meeting an increasing demand for qualified bus drivers nationwide.