Taxi drivers ‘might leave industry’ over scrappage rule

DUBLIN taxi drivers claim new rules requiring drivers to change vehicles that are more than nine years old will force some out of business and others to buy cars that are inferior to their existing vehicles.

From next year, vehicle licences will not be issued or renewed on vehicles more than nine years of age. And by 2012 there will be tighter restrictions on the size of vehicles to which licences will be issued or renewed.

Drivers point out that will mean having to spend money on a new vehicle at a time when they are finding it harder to get finance from the banks.