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Abu Dhabi: If a taxi driver in the capital refuses to take passengers more than thrice in a year, he may end up with the suspension of his licence, according to the "new black points system" introduced by TransAD, the Centre for Regulation of Transport by Hire Cars in Abu Dhabi.
Refusing to take passengers will attract three black points and more than nine black points in any 12 month period will lead to the suspension of driver's licence, senior officials at TransAD told Gulf News.
Then he has to undergo re-training and re-assessment, to get his permit back. If he gets more than 20 black points in 36 months, his permit will be cancelled, said the officials.
No taxi drivers have attracted many black points since it was introduced on June 1, Khalid Saleh Al Rashedi, General Manager of TransAD told Gulf News on Sunday on the sidelines of a press conference to announce a reward for an honest taxi driver.
"We not only deliver strict punishments, but we offer rewards also for good drivers".
A regular assessment criterion is being formulated to announce the "driver of the year" and "best franchisee", said Al Rashedi.
Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be awarded to the drivers for their bravery, safety and honesty. Awards will be attractive to drivers as the awards will be considered while issuing black points for minor offences, said the official. "But serious offences or violations will not be tolerated".
But the drivers cannot use the award for previous black points, said Quentin Fulljames Curtis, Transport Advisor.
"The system does not work retrospectively. Only when the driver has the award can it be taken into account for any future black points," he said.
The violations are split into 2 categories, serious and minor, said Huda Al Ka'abi, communication officer. The serious offences carry a monetary penalty and black points, the minor carry a lesser monetary penalty.
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