PDVL Passenger Safety & Professional Conduct — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a PDVL driver's obligation regarding the use of seatbelts by passengers?
- The driver must inform passengers to wear their seatbelts, and passengers in the rear must also buckle up — the driver may be liable if they fail to remind passengers (Correct answer)
- Only the driver needs to wear a seatbelt
- The driver is not responsible for passengers' seatbelt use
- Only front-seat passengers need seatbelts
Correct answer: The driver must inform passengers to wear their seatbelts, and passengers in the rear must also buckle up — the driver may be liable if they fail to remind passengers
Under Singapore's Road Traffic Act, all passengers (front and rear) must wear seatbelts. While passengers are primarily responsible for buckling up, the driver has a duty to remind passengers to wear seatbelts. Children must be properly secured in appropriate child restraint systems.
Question 2: What should a PHC driver do if a passenger appears to be intoxicated and behaves aggressively?
- Stay calm, pull over safely if necessary, politely but firmly request the passenger to behave appropriately, and call for assistance if the situation escalates (Correct answer)
- Continue the trip and ignore the passenger's behaviour
- Shout back at the passenger to assert authority
- Accelerate to reach the destination faster and end the trip
Correct answer: Stay calm, pull over safely if necessary, politely but firmly request the passenger to behave appropriately, and call for assistance if the situation escalates
PHC drivers must prioritise safety. With an aggressive or intoxicated passenger, the driver should remain calm, speak firmly but politely, and pull over safely if needed. If the situation escalates and poses a safety risk, the driver should contact their platform operator or police for assistance.
Question 3: A passenger complains that the driver took a longer route than necessary. What is the correct response?
- Apologise if appropriate, explain the route taken and any reasons (such as traffic), and offer to adjust the fare if required by the platform (Correct answer)
- Argue that the route was correct and refuse to engage further
- Claim the GPS was responsible and take no further action
- Offer a discount for future trips but deny any wrongdoing
Correct answer: Apologise if appropriate, explain the route taken and any reasons (such as traffic), and offer to adjust the fare if required by the platform
Professional PHC drivers should handle complaints calmly and professionally. If a passenger believes the route was unnecessarily long, the driver should listen, explain the reasoning, and where appropriate, take action through the platform's fare adjustment process. Courtesy and transparency are key.
Question 4: Under Singapore's rules, how many passengers may a standard 4-door private hire sedan carry?
- A maximum of 4 passengers (excluding the driver) (Correct answer)
- 5 passengers including the driver
- 3 passengers to allow comfortable spacing
- 6 passengers if child seats are installed
Correct answer: A maximum of 4 passengers (excluding the driver)
A standard private hire sedan (saloon car) may carry a maximum of 4 passengers in addition to the driver. Exceeding this limit is an offence and may also affect the vehicle's insurance coverage for the journey.
Question 5: What is a PHC driver's responsibility when transporting a passenger with a disability?
- Provide reasonable assistance, be patient, and where possible, accommodate the passenger's specific needs including assisting with boarding and alighting (Correct answer)
- Decline the booking if it involves additional assistance
- Charge a higher fare for additional assistance provided
- Direct the passenger to a wheelchair-accessible taxi instead
Correct answer: Provide reasonable assistance, be patient, and where possible, accommodate the passenger's specific needs including assisting with boarding and alighting
PHC drivers are expected to be professional and inclusive. When transporting passengers with disabilities, drivers should provide reasonable assistance — such as helping with boarding, securing wheelchairs, and ensuring comfort — and show patience. Discrimination against passengers with disabilities is contrary to professional standards.
Question 6: What should a driver do if a passenger leaves personal belongings in the vehicle?
- Contact the passenger through the platform to arrange return of the items, and hand items to the platform operator or police if the passenger cannot be reached (Correct answer)
- Keep the items until the passenger contacts them
- Dispose of unclaimed items after 24 hours
- Use the contact details to reach the passenger directly outside the platform
Correct answer: Contact the passenger through the platform to arrange return of the items, and hand items to the platform operator or police if the passenger cannot be reached
If a passenger leaves belongings in the vehicle, the driver should promptly notify the platform operator and attempt to contact the passenger through the platform's official channels. Unclaimed items should be handed to the platform operator or police. Drivers must not keep lost property.
PDVL Passenger Safety & Professional Conduct
What is a PDVL driver's obligation regarding the use of seatbelts by passengers?