Requirements to be a bus driver
What are the licensing and insurance requirements for bus drivers, and is there any review interval for re-qualification (i.e. ongoing vision testing etc)?
Auntie’s answer: The requirements for bus drivers can be found in the Traffic (Public Passenger Vehicles) Regulations (2014 Revision). A staff member of the Public Transport Unit took me through the relevant parts to answer your questions.
Sections 3 and 4 detail the requirements for all drivers of public passenger vehicles. These include that every year drivers have to undergo a medical examination so that information is updated annually. Specifically, it says that the applicant must have “in the previous three months, undergone a medical examination by a registered health practitioner who has certified that the applicant is fit to drive passengers for hire or reward”.
The exam must also include vision testing by a registered practitioner. Importantly, the PTU staff member explained, “If their vision is not to up to standard or cannot be corrected with glasses after seeing an ophthalmologist, the doctor does not certify the applicant fit to drive. The Public Transport Board would then not issue or renew an applicant permit to drive a public passenger vehicle.”
Regarding insurance, Section 4(2)(i) says applicants must comply with the requirements of the Vehicle Insurance (Third Party Risks) Law (2012 Revision), which mandates they must be insured.
Even though you didn’t ask, there is also a mechanism for members of the public to register a complaint about a bus driver. For any complaints or comments you want to make you can email the Public Transport Unit.
Once a complaint is received, the unit will get in touch with you and investigate the matter. However, if you don’t submit a written complaint the unit will be unable to undertake an investigation.
The laws mentioned above can be found on the CNS Library
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Category: Ask Auntie, Transportation Questions
Good luck with contacting the public transport dept. They generally do not answer the phone or emails. I have submitted several written complaints
Written complaints? Don’t you realize that if they could read and write they would be capable of getting a much better job?
Wbu can’t people just be civil with their comments.