The Ministry of Transport (MOT) is assuring that the application period for the Public Service Vehicles (PSV) vocational license will now take within a week’s time. This was announced by its minister Anthony Loke during a handover ceremony held earlier today in Putrajaya, which saw 300 prospective Grab e-hailing drivers awarded with the license.
MOT’s guarantee for the accelerated application period follows its abolishment of the mandatory theory test which came into effect last week. Around the same time, Loke clarified that the implementation of theory classes for all vocational license categories can now be performed online, either through a platform provided by the road transport department (JPJ), driving institutes or a qualified intermediary business company that has been regulated by the department. Its shift to the digital space is also in line with the ministry’s digitalisation efforts, he added.
“Previously, every driver had to wait between two to three months to get a PSV license,” Loke said. “In fact, the capacity to approve PSV licenses is very limited, which is around 200 to 300 drivers a week due to the implementation of the theory examination.”
The transport minister noted that MOT’s collaboration with e-hailing operators (EHO) such as Grab will allow for more than 2,000 outstanding PSV license applications to be completed within a week after the Aidilfitri holidays. Additionally, today’s event also saw the PSV license awarded to deaf e-hailing drivers, who were previously not allowed to operate due to safety concerns. Loke assured that this is not the case as data provided by EHOs show that deaf drivers are very capable and are prudent drivers.
Meanwhile, a recently issued media statement by Grab today revealed that it welcomes Loke’s announcement to ease the PSV process for new driver-partners. The company adds that it will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Transport, JPJ and APAD to help streamline regulations and make it more seamless for Malaysians to gain equal access to flexible earning opportunities via the digital economy.
(Source: Bernama / Grab press release)
