Having a legislative role enables the Agency to: Shape a subordinate legislation programme that meets its business needs and priorities; Establish an effective and mutually beneficial relationship with the Assembly and Central Management Branch; Anticipate and react to customer needs more accurately and quickly; and Have an internal source of legal experience and guidance.

Current Legislation Directives

Driver CPC

The European Union published a Directive in July 2003 that will require all category C and D licence holders to take part in 35 hours retraining every five years, in order to keep their entitlement to drive professionally. The Directive also gives details of a new initial training regime that new drivers must go through before they can drive professionally for the first time.

Taxi Driving Test and Periodic Training

A consultation excercise undertaken in May 2005 by the Department of the Environment (DOE) in Northern Ireland revealed that the Taxi Industry was in favour of the re-intrduction of a taxi driving test.