KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 91,978 e-hailing drivers obtained their public service vehicle (PSV) licences as of Dec 2, while another 42,818 failed their tests, Transport Minister Loke Siew Fook told the Dewan Rakyat here today.

He said those who failed three times would be given assistance.

“We are looking at perhaps allowing them to take an oral course as they may be weak in reading,” he said to Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) who had asked about government assistance for those who have yet to obtain their PSV licence.

Previously, Loke said his ministry would continue to enforce the regulation which came into effect on Oct 12. However, he said more leniency would be shown to drivers who are in the final stages of obtaining their PSV licence.

To the original question regarding the number of licensed taxi drivers and competition with other modes of public transport, Loke said there were 358,944 active PSV licence holders

Of these, 28,860 are taxi drivers who are allowed to provide e-hailing services as well as normal taxi services.

To an additional question by Mastura Mohd Yazid (BN-Kuala Kangsar) on the safety of women who use motorcycle e-hailing service Gojek, Loke said he would look into the possibility of having women riders.