Some drivers may lose jobs

Press, 22 November 1989, Page 5

Some drivers may lose jobs

By

PAM MORTON

Stringent vetting procedures by the Ministry of Transport could mean that some drivers employed in the transport industry will not have their licences renewed.

Under the new regulations which came into force on November 1 all drivers of small passenger and vehicle recovery service vehicles must have a photo identity card by April 1, 1990.

The Ministry’s senior investigating officer in Christchurch, Mr Brian Hawkins, said drivers who were not issued with an identity card would not be able to drive after April 1.

“... now that some existing operators have to renew their drivers’ permit it is possible some will have to leave the industry.” Mr Hawkins said the Ministry of Transport

would conduct stringent vetting procedures before issuing identity cards. Under the regulations people with convictions can be barred from entering the industry. The chief criterion for entry to the industry has become the applicant’s being a “fit and proper person” as determined by the Secretary of Transport. The secretary “shall” consider, however, a variety of specific criteria to make this assessment, including histories of mental problems, serious transport offences, especially safety and road-user offences.

Offences involving violence, sex, drugs and arms will also be taken into account.

The manager of Gold Band Taxis, Mr Bernie Hall, said drivers would have to pay $llO for their identity cards, as well as

the cost of a medical examination. It was an extra burden on a lowpaid industry. “We don’t object to the changes, but the cost will be a burden to the driver,” he said. The company did not expect any changes to its personnel as a police check was already done on people coming into the industry, he said.

Since November 1 the Ministry in Christchurch has received 35 applications for new licences. Fifteen of those are for passenger service licences. The total number of applications for October were 28, with only five applications for a passenger service licence. Mr Hawkins said if November applications continued at their present rate they would almost double the October figures.