22/10/2004

DVLNI issue taxi display notice

The DoE Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland (DVLNI) has issued a ‘If it’s not on it, then don’t get in it!’ message to taxi users throughout the province.

From 1 November 2004, all licensed taxis will be required to display taxi licence plates, making them easier for the public to recognise.

Unveiling the new scheme earlier in Belfast today, Brendan Magee, Chief Executive of DVLNI, said: "The new plating scheme will have a number of benefits. It will help the travelling public identify legal taxis, it will help enforcement against illegal operators and it will help support the legitimate trade, but most importantly, it will mean that those who use cabs will be safer because they will be travelling in a legitimate taxi."

Mr Magee explained that, under the current system, it can be difficult to distinguish between a licensed and unlicensed taxi. The only true identification is the PSV disc on the windscreen. The new system will involve large plates front and rear of the vehicle with smaller plates inside the vehicle.

Taxi Plating is being introduced in advance of a wider review of the taxi industry and DoE will be issuing a consultation document on the taxi industry later this year.

(MB/GMCG)

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