Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

S.I. No. 59/2026 - Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 Download PDF Íoslódáil PDF Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in “Iris Oifigiúil” of 27 th February, 2026. The National Transport Authority, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 7 section 20 section 48 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 (No. 37 of 2013), hereby makes the following Regulations: 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. 2. These Regulations come into operation on 01 April 2026. Principal Regulations 3. In these Regulations “Principal Regulations” means the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 ( S.I. No. 33 of 2015 ). 4. Regulation 8 of the Principal Regulations is amended by substituting the following for paragraph (3): “(3) An application for the renewal of a licence to drive small public service vehicles shall not be made: in the case of a local area hackney licence, after the date falling three months after the date of expiry of the licence; or in the case of any other small public service vehicle, after the expiry of one year from the date of expiry of such licence.”. 5. Regulation 9 of the Principal Regulations is amended – (a) by substituting the following for paragraph (1)( “(a) evidence that the applicant - (i) holds a local area hackney licence; or (ii) is being nominated as a driver for a local area hackney by the holder of the local area hackney licence for such local area hackney in accordance with Regulation 9A;”; (b) by substituting the following for paragraph (1)( “(j) evidence, in a form and substance satisfactory to the licensing authority – (i) where the applicant is the holder of a local area hackney licence, that the application relates substantially to the same area as that for which the applicant holds such local area hackney licence referred to in paragraph 1(a)( ), or (ii) where the applicant is being nominated as a driver by the holder of the local area hackney licence for such local area hackney in accordance with Regulation 9A, that the application relates substantially to the same area as that for which the local area hackney licence has been granted; and”; (c) by substituting “up to five years” for “three years” in paragraph (3)( ); and (d) by deleting paragraphs (3)( ) and (3)( ) and inserting the following as paragraphs 3( ), 3( ) and 3( ) respectively; “(d) the holder of the licence obtaining any other category of small public service vehicle licence other than a local area hackney licence, (e) the disqualification of the licence holder pursuant to section 30 or 38 of the Principal Act, or (f) in the case of a local area hackney driver’s licence that is subject to Regulation 9A, the earlier of the dates on which: (i) the local area hackney licence for which the local area hackney driver is nominated to drive in accordance with Regulation 9A ceases to be in force; or (ii) the nominating local area hackney driver’s licence ceases to be in force.”. 6. The Principal Regulations are amended by inserting the following as Regulation 9A after Regulation 9: “Local area hackney drivers – nominated drivers 9A. (1) Subject to paragraphs (2), (3), (4) and (5), the holder of a local area hackney licence may nominate one or more persons to act as additional drivers in relation to the local area hackney and such persons may be granted a local area hackney driver’s licence for such local area hackney in accordance with Regulation 9. (2) The holder of a local area hackney licence may only nominate persons in accordance with paragraph (1) where such holder is the holder of, or applicant for, a local area hackney driver’s licence. (3) Without prejudice to regulation 9, a person nominated to act as an additional driver in accordance with paragraph (1) may only be granted a local area hackney driver’s licence if or upon the holder of a local area hackney licence nominating such person holding a local area hackney’s driver licence for the local area hackney. (4) No more than four persons may be nominated by the holder of a local area hackney licence during the term of the local area hackney licence as additional drivers in relation to a local area hackney by the holder of a local area hackney licence. (5) A person may only be nominated to act as an additional driver in accordance with paragraph (1) in respect of one local area hackney. (6) The nomination of, and the grant of a local area hackney driver’s licence to, a person to act as an additional driver in relation to a local area hackney shall not modify or qualify the obligations on the holder of a local area hackney licence in respect of that local area hackney.”. 7. Regulation 17 of the Principal Regulations is amended – (a) by substituting “five years” for “three years” in paragraph (1)( (b) by substituting the following for paragraph (2): “(2) The Authority may approve an application under paragraph (1) provided that— the application is made to the Authority on or before: (i) in the case of a local area hackney licence, the date falling three months after the date of expiry of the licence; or (ii) in the case of any other small public service vehicle licence, the date falling twenty-four months after the date of expiry of the licence, and following an assessment of the vehicle by or on behalf of the Authority, the Authority is satisfied that the vehicle meets the requirements applicable to the relevant vehicle licence category under Part 4 of these Regulations, provided that, where the Authority has determined that a specific vehicle type or model does not comply with the requirements applicable to such vehicle licence category under Part 4 of these Regulations, the Authority may refuse to replace the licence without an assessment of the specific vehicle.”. 8. Regulation 22 of the Principal Regulations is substituted by the following: “Local area hackney licence 22. (1) The Authority may grant a new local area hackney licence or renew a local area hackney licence only where the Authority is satisfied that— the public transport needs of the area in respect of which the licence is sought are not being adequately met by existing public transport services or services provided by small public transport vehicles and drivers licensed by the Authority, and it is appropriate for a new local area hackney licence to be granted to improve the provision of public transport services in the area. (2) [not used] (3) Where the Authority decides to grant a new local area hackney licence or to renew a local area hackney licence, in either case, in accordance with paragraph (1), such local area hackney licence shall only be granted or renewed by the Authority where— the applicant— (i) provides evidence that the appropriate fee specified in Schedule 1 has been paid to the Authority; (ii) demonstrates to the Authority that the public transport needs of the area in respect of which the licence is being sought are not being adequately met or are not reasonably likely to be met by existing public transport services or services provided by small public transport vehicles and drivers licensed by the Authority; (iii) in the case of an application for a new local area hackney licence, demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Authority that it is appropriate for a new local area hackney licence to be granted to improve the provision of public transport services in the area in respect of which the licence is sought; (iv) in the case of an application for renewal of the licence, demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Authority that the services contemplated by the then current local area hackney licence are being provided satisfactorily; (v) provides evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to the Authority, that a test certificate has been issued not more than 90 days prior to the date of the application in respect of the vehicle the subject of the application; (vi) provides a valid tax clearance certificate for the time being in force in respect of the applicant under section 1095 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (vii) provides evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to the Authority, that the vehicle the subject of the application is covered by insurance provided by a vehicle insurer (within the meaning of section 58 of the Act of 1961) in respect of passengers carried for reward in such vehicle; (viii) provides evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to the Authority, that the applicant is— (A) the registered owner of the vehicle the subject of the application, or (B) legally entitled to the use and possession of the vehicle the subject of the application for a period of not less than 12 months from the date of the application; in the case of a modified vehicle, the application is accompanied by evidence, in form and substance satisfactory to the Authority, that the vehicle to which the application relates complies with the requirements of Regulation 29; and following an assessment of the vehicle by or on behalf of the Authority, the Authority is satisfied that the vehicle meets the requirements applicable to the relevant vehicle licence category under Part 4 of these Regulations, provided that, where the Authority has determined that a specific vehicle type or model does not comply with the requirements applicable to such vehicle licence category under Part 4 of these Regulations, the Authority may refuse to grant the licence without an assessment of the specific vehicle. (4) The holder of a local area hackney licence shall— ensure that the vehicle associated with such licence is available for hire as a local area hackney in and throughout the area in respect of which the licence is granted, not, during the term of such licence, hold a small public service vehicle licence in respect of any vehicle other than the vehicle referred to in sub-paragraph , and not provide, or advertise the provision of, services for the carriage of passengers for reward outside of the local area in respect of which the licence has been granted. (5) Without prejudice to regulation 7(2) , a local area hackney licence granted or renewed by the Authority shall specify the area in respect of which such licence has been granted.”. 9. The Principal Regulations are amended by inserting the following as Regulation 22A after Regulation 22: “Local area hackney licence – provision of information 22A. (1) The holder of a local area hackney licence shall, upon request and within such period as may be specified by the Authority, provide the following information to the Authority— the names of every person, including the licence holder, driving or using the vehicle to carry passengers for reward; and all contact details available for the purposes of making a booking in respect of the vehicle. (2) The Authority may use or publicise the information provided under paragraph (1) to assist consumers who wish to avail of, or to book, a local area hackney. (3) The Authority may seek further information in relation to any of the information provided by a licence holder under paragraph (1) and the licence holder shall provide such further information promptly upon request by the Authority. (4) Where there is a subsequent change to any of the information provided to the Authority under paragraph (1) of this Regulation, the licence holder shall provide details of such change to the Authority promptly.”. 10. Regulation 63 of the Principal Regulations is amended by inserting the following after paragraph (6): “(7) In the case of a local area hackney service, a dispatch operator may not act as a dispatch operator for more than one area.”. 11. Schedule 8 of the Principal Regulations is amended by inserting the following row at the end of the table and after the row D27: Regulation 22(4) of these Regulations Local area hackney available for hire outside specified area 12. The Taxi Regulation Act 2003 (Local Area Hackney) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 458/2013) are revoked. 13. The Principal Regulations are amended by the substitution of the following for Schedule 9:- SCHEDULE 9 Form of Fixed Payment Notice Notice Under Section 48 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 (as amended) {insert issue date} Fixed Payment Notice Number: {insert number} {insert driver name} SPSV Driver Licence Number (if applicable): {insert SPSV number} {insert address} Alleged Offence It is alleged that you have committed an offence listed in Schedule 8 to the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 33 of 2015) (as amended) as a fixed payment offence, namely that identified with the code {insert code} in that Schedule 8. The alleged offence involved the use of small public service vehicle with vehicle registration number {insert registration number} in a public place at {insert location} {insert time} on the {insert date of offence} Identity of Authorised Person serving this notice: {insert name/identity number of the Authorised Person} Fixed Payment 1. As the alleged offence is a fixed payment offence for the purposes of Section 48 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 (as amended), you may, during a period of 28 days, beginning on the date of this notice, pay a fixed payment to the National Transport Authority of the prescribed amount in respect of the relevant offence in Schedule 8. 2. If no payment is made during the period specified in (1) above, you may, during a second period of 28 days beginning on the expiration of the period specified in (1), pay a fixed payment to the National Transport Authority of an amount 50% greater than the prescribed amount listed in Schedule 8. 3. (a) You are not obliged to make the above payment. In the event that you choose not to make such payment, you may be prosecuted in respect of the offence as alleged. (b) You will not be prosecuted: i. during the period of 56 days from the date of this notice, or ii. at all, if the correct payment in accordance with this notice is made in respect of the offence as alleged. 5. Any payment pursuant to this notice shall be made to the National Transport Authority, ( insert address ) and shall be so paid (otherwise than in cash) by money order, postal order, or electronic means, or by such other means as the Authority for the time being considers appropriate. 6. A payment made under this notice must be accompanied by all of this notice, if payment is made in person or by post. 7. In the case of a payment by electronic means, you must reference the fixed payment notice number above. 8. Should you choose to make the above payment, it is your responsibility to obtain and retain proof of such payment. Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in “Iris Oifigiúil” of GIVEN under the seal of the National Transport Authority on 20 February, 2026. Peter Strachan, Chairperson, National Transport Authority. EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Instrument and does not purport to be a legal The Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 amend the Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015 ( S.I. No. 33 of 2015 ). The amendments include changes to the application process for a local area hackney licence, a lengthening of the period of validity of such a licence, updating the criteria for the Authority to consider in determining whether to grant or renew such a licence, and permitting the holder of a local area hackney licence to nominate additional drivers in relation to the local area hackney. The Regulations also permit the Authority to request information from local area hackney licence holders, limit the operation of a local area hackney dispatch operator to one area, and introduce a Fixed Payment Offence for a Local Area Hackney being made available for hire outside its specified area. An amendment to Schedule 9 in relation to the form of notice for fixed payment offence is also included.