New taxi demerit system to effective from Sept 20

The Transport Department today (Sept. 12) reminded the taxi industry that the "Taxi-Driver-Offence Points Ordinance" will come into effect on Sept. 20, introducing a demerit points system for taxi drivers.

The spokesperson stated that the quality of taxi services has been a concern in recent years. Considering the public's strong demand for improved taxi services, the government has introduced this demerit system, modeled after the existing driving demerit system, to deter misconduct among taxi drivers and enhance the service quality and industry image.

The system covers offenses that affect the quality of taxi services and includes 11 serious offenses related to taxi drivers, such as overcharging, willfully refusing or neglecting to take passengers, and not taking the most direct and practicable route to the destination. These offenses are categorized into three levels according to their severity, with penalties of 10, 5, and 3 points respectively. If someone is convicted of an offense or assumes legal responsibility for a fixed penalty, the corresponding points will be recorded.

Under the demerit system, when a taxi driver accumulates a specified level of points within any two-year period, corresponding actions or penalties will be triggered.

Specifically, if a driver accumulates 8 to 14 points, the Commissioner of Transport will issue a demerit point notice to the driver; if 10 or more points are recorded, the driver will also receive a mandatory notice to attend a taxi service improvement course. The driver must pay for and complete this course within a specified period. Failure to comply without reasonable excuse constitutes a criminal offense, punishable by a fine of HK$5,000 and imprisonment for one month.

All demerit-recorded taxi drivers (including those who did not receive the mandatory course notice) may take the taxi service improvement course, and upon completion and passing the exam, can deduct 3 points from their total accumulated points.

If a driver accumulates 15 or more points, their taxi driving qualifications may be revoked; if it is the first revocation, the suspension period will be three months, with each subsequent suspension lasting six months.

The draft " Taxi-Driver-Offence Points Ordinance " was passed by the Legislative Council in mid-Dec. last year and was gazetted on Dec. 22. The Transport Department has maintained close contact with the taxi industry since then, introducing the operations of the demerit system and reminding them to prepare for its implementation.

Since the beginning of this month, the department has also reintroduced the demerit system and related regulations through regular meetings and letters to the industry, ensuring the industry is well-informed about the system's operations.

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