FOLLOWING the outcry by p-hailing riders, Transport Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong explained that the proposed special vocational licence for p-hailing service providers is not the same as the Goods Driving Licence (GDL).
He said, “Those who apply for the vocational licence to become p-hailing riders need not go to driving schools or institutions but only be required to attend a three-hour induction course that will be conducted online.”
He added, “When we register them, they will receive moratorium and need not pay for a year. Through the process, we will have the data of all p-hailing riders.” This will enable the Transport Ministry to keep record on the number of p-hailing service providers.
But if it is merely an exercise for registration and online briefing, why call it a licence, or for that matter a special vocational licence? After all, licences are not freely issued by any authority and granted only to those that meet the criteria.
Over the past decades, they have been only two types of vocational licence for commercial vehicle drivers.
Those driving passenger carrying vehicles such as taxis and buses are required to have the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence.
Those driving goods carrying vehicles must possess the GDL in addition to a competent driving licence, with Class D for light vehicles and Class E for heavy vehicles.
PSV and GDL are vocational licences needed to drive commercial vehicles that must undergo routine inspections.
Those carrying fare-paying passengers in private vehicles are required to obtain a PSV licence for e-hailing service.
In addition to passing a medical examination, they must also fulfil a 6-hour training course and a 1-hour objective test with 60 questions, with the passing mark at 80%.
As p-hailing riders use motorcycles for delivery, it would be laughable to require them to be licensed or have their bikes inspected for road worthiness, unless they are permitted to carry fare-paying pillion riders, which is yet to be permitted in Malaysia, unlike other countries.
If at all needed, the licence for p-hailing riders should not be referred to as special vocational licence, or GDL as initially reported, or goods delivering licence as later reported. A spade should be called a spade.
We could call it Motorcycle Delivery Licence (MDL) to differentiate it with GDL. Parcel Delivery Licence (PDL) for p-hailing service providers is not quite correct as most parcels are delivered by vans operated by courier companies, and many p-hailing riders deliver food.
As motorcycles are used to deliver both parcels and foods, it makes perfect sense to call it MDL, and more so if motorcycles are allowed to carry fare-paying pillion riders in future.
When that happens, we can continue to use MDL for delivering parcels, foods and fare-paying passengers.
E-hailing was the term used for booking vehicles through electronic application to provide transport service for passengers. Later, p-hailing was used for booking motorcycles to deliver parcels and foods.
It would have been more accurate to call it m-hailing for motorcycle hailing, or better still b-hailing for bike hailing. And if we are fixated on vocational licences, then it can be called motorcycle courier licence (MCL). This will elevate commercial motorcycle riders to couriers.
GDL and PSV licences may have deterred those without from driving commercial vehicles, but they have not raised the quality of drivers.
Even their annual medical examinations are loosely conducted by most clinics and medical reports could be stamped and signed by runners.
I have applied for PSV licence thrice. In the 1970s, there was only an interview at a Road Transport Department office, and I did not renew it after a few years.
In the early 1990s, I wanted to obtain a PSV that includes driving a mini tour bus, and so I was tested driving one.
Again, I did not renew it after a few years. My last application was in 2000 and this time I have to enrol with a driving institute, pay several hundred ringgit and wait for a few weeks to sit for the practical and written exams.
I passed the 50 objective test questions with the help of a Malay-English dictionary. But there was nothing new for me to learn from the driving institute, as what was taught was common sense. I renewed this PSV licence until 2017, seven years after I have stopped driving taxis.
Wee disclosed that the Transport Ministry was alarmed with the report by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research that 62% of the 16,308 p-hailing riders stopped at the yellow box or pedestrian crossing.
He also revealed that closed circuit television recordings on 11 roads in Kuala Lumpur showed that 14% of the riders were on their handphone, beat traffic lights and made illegal ‘U’ turns while 3% rode against traffic flow.
If so, the problem is the lack of enforcement as these violations were being monitored and captured by video cameras, but no action was taken. Conducting online briefings and licensing p-hailing riders will not change such behaviours.
It is the same for many private car drivers. Daily, I witness vehicles waiting at traffic lights do not stop behind the white lines painted across the road, with some even blocking pedestrian crossings or occupy yellow boxes, forcing motorcyclists to wait further ahead.
Announcing to introduce a new licence for motorcyclists delivering parcels and foods leave a sour taste in their mouths.
This came during the meeting called by the transport minister after the Malaysian P-Hailing Delivery Riders Association have raised 10 issues with none resolved. – Aug 11, 2022
YS Chan is master trainer for Mesra Malaysia and Travel and Tours Enhancement Course, and an Asean Tourism Master Trainer. He is also a tourism and transport business consultant.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main photo credit: The Centre
