TIGHTENING OF LICENCING RULES FOR PALM BEACH TAXI DRIVERS

A new law is about to be launched in Palm Beach County that drivers of taxicabs and limousines have to pass tests of English proficiency and local geography as part of a revised ordinance that also imposes restrictions on who can drive and what condition the vehicles must be kept.

County officials say the aim is to make rides safer and to cut fraud in the taxi business. The measure was tentatively approved by commissioners on Tuesday and is expected to be finalized next month.

No one convicted of a crime within the past five years or ever convicted of violent sex attacks could be eligible for a vehicle-for-hire identification badge, which is a requirement to own or drive taxicabs and limos.

Only driver's who have held a licence for at least three years will be allowed to get behind the wheel of a cab or limo.

There will also be new criteria for the condition and age of the vehicles, with most taxis required to be no older than seven years. Taxis operating at Palm Beach International Airport can be no older than five years. The vehicle-age requirement will not come into force until until 2010, but most of the other new rules will be enforced by this summer.