Obligations of Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Drivers when Passengers Refuse to Wear Seat Belts

49 Ms Yeo Wan Ling asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether there are regulations governing the obligations of taxi and private hire vehicle drivers when passengers refuse to wear seat belts for their transport despite reminders from the drivers; (b) if so, what are these regulations; and (c) what recourse is available to these drivers who are found guilty to be transporting unbelted passengers despite reminders.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: Our seat belt regulations are to keep drivers and passengers safe. Under the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Wearing of Seat Belts) Rules, the driver and passengers of a motor vehicle, including taxis and private hire cars, are required to wear a seat belt or a lap belt unless they have a valid medical exemption or are below 1.35 metres in height and would generally be required to wear a child restraint instead. Drivers and passengers who fail to do so may face a penalty of $150. In addition, the driver will receive three demerit points under the Driver Improvement Points System. In cases where the driver fails to ensure compliance by passengers, the driver of the vehicle may in addition be subject to the composition sum and receive demerit points.

Taxi and private hire car drivers are not exempt from this law and should remind their passengers to comply with the seat belt requirement. If passengers refuse to wear their seat belts or unfasten their seat belts mid-trip despite reminders, taxi and private hire car drivers can refuse to convey them and can terminate the trip. Taxi and private hire car drivers will not be penalised for terminating such trips, as long as it is done safely, for example, by stopping at a location that is safe for the passenger to alight.