Improvements to the licensing service which benefit local taxi operators have been announced by Environment Minister Mark H Durkan. 
A taxi operator is required to inform the Department within seven days if they wish to add or remove a driver or vehicle to/from their licence.
The improvements will see that reduced to three working days.
Mark H Durkan said: “We have recently experienced high volumes of change requests and customers have experienced delays as a result.
“This meant that some drivers were delayed in starting work and earning a wage. To address this, I requested a review of the process for affiliating drivers and vehicles to a taxi operator licence.
“That review has now been completed and an amended improved process has been agreed. The new process will significantly reduce turnaround times for affiliating taxi drivers and vehicles to taxi operator licences.
“As a result, we now aim to complete changes within three working days from date of receipt so taxi drivers can quickly start to work.”
Mr Durkan added: “I am committed to providing the best customer service possible. Taxi operators should notice a significant improvement in affiliation times, as soon as the streamlined processes take effect.”
The Taxi Operators Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 make it a legal requirement for any person or organisation in Northern Ireland who is providing a taxi service to hold a Taxi Operator Licence.
Mr Durkan said the purpose of operator licensing was to give the public confidence when they use a licensed taxi operator that they were dealing with a “trustworthy and professional” organisation with reliable drivers and safe vehicles.
The Department of the Environment is the licensing authority for the taxi industry and undertakes this function through the Driver & Vehicle Agency’s Road Transport Licensing Division.
The Department said it has “communicated” with operators explaining the changes in detail.
The revised process is being implemented from today.
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