Introduction

This page provides information for those wishing to obtain a permit to drive a Public Service Vehicle in Guernsey (i.e. to drive a service omnibus, a private hire omnibus or motor vehicle, public excursion omnibus or taxi.).

To drive a Public Service Vehicle you must first obtain a special permit (PSV permit), in addition to holding a full valid driving licence in the appropriate category. Applicants must be at least 20 years of age.

Regulations and Legislation

The Environment Department has responsibility for the issue and regulation of Public Service Vehicle permits.

The relevant legislation to the issue of PSV permits is contained in The Road Traffic (Permits to Drive Public Service Vehicles) Ordinance, 1986, as amended, and The Public Transport Ordinance, 1986, as amended. Copies of this legislation may be obtained from the Greffe.

It should be noted that the Environment Department is empowered, under the Road Traffic (Permits to Drive Public Service Vehicles) Ordinance, 1986, as amended, to revoke, suspend, or vary a permit, if in the Department’s opinion, the holder of the permit is not by reason of his conduct or health, a fit and proper person to hold such a permit.

Application for a P.S.V. Permit

The application form that must be completed is available to download from the above link.  Your application form must be accompanied by:

• A full statement of any previous convictions, whether traffic related or otherwise, in any jurisdiction.
• A medical report from a General Practitioner (you will need to obtain a form for this report from the Environment Department's offices at Bulwer Avenue, tel: 01481 201276).
• Two written character references from householders or ratepayers who have known you personally for at least three years (not including members of your family or potential employers).

The completed application form, together with medical report and character references, should be returned to: The Passenger Transport section, P.O Box 145, Bulwer Avenue, St Sampson’s, Guernsey GY1 3HY.

It should be noted that the Department will need to be in receipt of all of the above before it can commence processing the application. Any missing or incomplete information will delay the initial application.

Once the Department has given initial approval to an application, then the applicant may book the relevant tests at the Department's office at the above address.

Island Knowledge Test (taxi drivers only)

All applicants for a Permit to Drive a Public Service Vehicle for a taxi will be required to take an Island Knowledge Test. This test can be booked at the Bulwer Avenue offices of the Environment Department, but only once the applicant’s initial application has been approved.

The purpose of the Island Knowledge Test is to ensure that applicants have a good overall knowledge of the Island, as well as a basic understanding of the relevant sections of the local Public Transport legislation.

The test consists of nineteen sections. With the exception of the section on legislation, you will be asked to identify the location of various destinations within the categories detailed.  Candidates do not necessarily need to know the name of the road in which a particular destination may be located; the onus is very much on he or she to convince the examiner that he knows the destination, even if this is by reference to other landmarks or road junctions that might be passed en route. Candidates are required to correctly answer a specific number of questions in each section in order to pass the test.

A copy of the Island Knowledge Syllabus can be obtained from the above link. It is recommended that all applicants take the time to carefully revise this syllabus.

Do you have the Knowledge? Download the Syllabus above.

Driving Tests

Holders of a Permit to Drive a Public Service Vehicle have a very responsible position, in particular the care and carriage of passengers, and must therefore display and maintain a high degree of driving skill.  For this reason, all applicants for permits will have to undergo a stringent driving test of approximately one hour in length.

Candidates undergoing the taxi or private hire motor car driving tests must take the test in a manual drive four door vehicle. The vehicle must also be of a size similar to that which the Environment Department would be prepared to licence for use as a taxi (i.e. at least the size of a Ford Focus).  If necessary, the test can be taken in a hire car.  During the taxi or private hire car driving test candidates will have to identify and drive the shortest practical route between certain points.

Validity of Permits

Permits are normally issued for a term of four years, dependent on the applicant’s age.  Applicants aged sixty or over will be issued a permit valid only for one year and, thereafter, will be required to submit medical reports on an annual basis before the permit can be renewed.

Please note, you must also continue to hold a full valid driving licence for the category of vehicle that you are driving as well as your P.S.V Permit.

Fees

At the present time, the Department has decided to waive all fees relating to the application process for a Permit to Drive a Public Service Vehicle for new applicants only.  However this only applies to individuals when they are taking their PSV driving test or Island Knowledge test for the first time.

It should be noted that all candidates will still have to pay an appropriate fee to their doctor’s surgery for the necessary medical report form to be completed.

In addition, candidates who fail either the Island Knowledge Test or Driving Test, who decide to resubmit themselves for a further examination, will be required to pay the normal fees for their second and any subsequent tests.  These fees are as follows :-

Island Knowledge Test £10.00

PSV Driving Test £59.00

Whilst your first permit will be issued free of charge, you will be required to pay a maximum fee of £20.00 when you come to renew your permit once it has expired.

Renewing your PSV permit

A holder of a Permit to Drive a Public Service Vehicle can renew the permit by completing a simple renewal form.  This form includes an updated statement of previous convictions, whether traffic related or otherwise, in any jurisdiction.  Permit holders aged sixty or over will also have to submit a standard medical report from a General Practitioner.

The renewal charge for the issue of the permit is £5.00 for every year the permit is valid i.e. a person under the age of 60 will have to pay £20.00 for a four year permit, and a person aged sixty or above will pay £5.00 for a one year permit.

Further Information