TheCable

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) says it will enforce a new hybrid licence for ride hailing operators in the territory from February 2022.

Speaking on Tuesday at an FCT transport stakeholders meeting in Abuja, Wadata Bodinga, the VIO director, said all electronic-hailing operators must convert their regular vehicle licences to hybrid licences.

He said the enforcement of the new directive would start from February 1, 2022, adding that drivers who fail to convert their vehicle licences to the hybrid type before that time would have to pay for the conversion.

According to him, since e-hailing vehicles do not operate like “conventional taxis”, the VIO initiated the hybrid vehicle license to have information of drivers working with ride hailing operators.

“We, as an agency of government, want to have an idea of the people operating these vehicles and not just us having the details of users,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“The licensing will give us the database to know those registered and those operating legally.”

He said a driver certificate card (DCC) would also be issued to all drivers after they undergo a one-day mandatory training at the FCT model drivers’ institute or Lugbe VIO office in Abuja.

“Voluntary enrollment for the DCC will commence from November 9 to January 31, 2022,” he said.

“DCC requirements for the conversion are National Identification Number (NIN) and a valid driver’s licence. This will help us know the number of operators to promote efficiency.”

The director said to avoid permanent ban from operations in the FCT, all taxi drivers or anyone who wished to offer transportation services for hire or gain must obtain the FCT DCC.

“No taxi or bus will be allowed to operate in the FCT except those who fulfill the following — must have an authorised side number; must be registered with a licensed operator; appropriate zonal cab colour, and fulfill minimum roadworthiness requirements.”