THE Transport Authority (TA) on Monday commenced motor vehicle examinations for the renewal/re-application of all Public Passenger Vehicle (PPV) road licences which expire on March 31, 2016.

This, the TA said, is in order to facilitate timely submission of road licence applications to finalise the renewal/reapplication of PPV road licences.

It said that the early commencement for motor vehicle examination is part of the authority’s thrust to provide timely, convenient and efficient service to customers.

“Under this new facility, licensees are not required to pay the vehicle examination fee upfront, as the fees will be collected upon submission of their applications for renewal of their road licences. The cut-off date for vehicle examination under this facility is March 15, 2016. Thereafter the normal motor vehicle examination and road licence re-application/renewal procedure will resume,” the authority said in a release.

“The authority is therefore reminding the owners of PPVs that failure to complete the renewal/reapplication process by March 31, 2016 means that their road licences would become invalid as of April 1, 2016. Consequently, holders of road licences, which expired on March 31, 2016, who are interested in continuing public transportation services may be required to submit new applications, for which approval cannot be guaranteed,” the release said.

In the meantime, the Transport Authority said PPV operators and applicants must meet the approved Transport Authority standards and requirements in order to receive a road licence. These include colour coding, exterior markings and vehicle age requirements.