The DOE’s Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) will be accompanied by representatives from the NI Taxi Review Team and Road Safety Policy Branch at next week’s Taxi & PHV Magazine Show at the Kings Hall complex Belfast.
Representatives will be available to provide advice and guidance to visitors on issues including vehicle testing, vehicle and driver licensing, the NI Taxis Bill and Compliance and Enforcement.
Brendan Magee, Chief Executive of the DVA said; “The taxi industry plays a big role in the transport infrastructure for Northern Ireland. I welcome this show and the opportunity it provides for us as regulators to meet with the industry and with taxi users”.
Notes to Editors:
- The NI Taxi & PHV Magazine Show takes place at the Nugent Hall, Belfast on 26th February 2008. Opening Hours for the show: 10:00 Hours – 20:00. The organisers can be contacted at info@nitaxiandphv.co.uk
- The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) is an Executive Agency within the Department of the Environment and is responsible for conducting statutory roadworthiness tests on taxis, licensing taxis and drivers and has primary responsibility for enforcing legal requirements.
- In June 2007 the Taxis Bill was one of the first pieces of legislation introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly following the return of devolution. The Bill creates a new framework for regulating taxis and will enable the Department to bring in a range of measures to improve safety, standards, and accountability across the whole industry. Specific initiatives will include introducing operator licensing for taxi businesses, new training and testing requirements for taxi drivers, and tighter controls on all taxi fares. PSNI and DOE will be given stronger enforcement powers and there will be tougher penalties for unlicensed taxiing.
- Within the Department, Road Safety Policy Branch deal with road transport issues through new policy and legislation monitoring and development.
- For media information contact the DOE Press Office, 028 9054 0003. Out of hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned. Information about DVA can be found on the Agency’s website
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