No upper age limit on e-hailing drivers set by Transport Ministry, says Dr Wee

PETALING JAYA: There is no maximum age limit fixed for e-hailing drivers under the Transport Ministry, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The minister said neither the ministry nor the Road Transport Department (JPJ) had set any conditions or rules regarding the maximum age for any individual who wishes to hold a Vocational Licence to work as a driver of a public service vehicle (including e-hailing) or goods vehicle.

"Any individual may continue to hold or renew their Vocational Licence, as long as the individual complies with all other necessary conditions including submitting a medical report confirming that they are healthy and able to perform driving functions safely," he said in a statement on Friday (April 30).

Dr Wee was responding to a report that Grab driver Rasamany Vettivelu was left jobless after the 75-year-old was laid off by the e-hailing platform, apparently over the company's own internal restrictions on hiring drivers over the age of 69 due to safety reasons.

"I was sad and heartbroken when I received an auto-generated notification via text message from Grab saying that due to age restrictions, my services will be terminated on April 30, ” she had said.

Rasamany, nicknamed "Grab Aunty", said she was disappointed that she could not continue as an e-hailing driver although she was physically fit.

"I want to be healthy and independent," she added.

Dr Wee said the maximum age set by Grab as reported was an internal ruling as part of its own condition to register an individual as an e-hailing driver.

"Taking into consideration the issue of hardship faced by the public as a result of this Covid-19 pandemic, I hope e-hailing service operators across the country including Grab can from time to time review the internal conditions they set for e-hailing drivers, including the maximum age limit.

"This is to help all those who are involved to be able to continue their livelihood working as e-hailing drivers," he added.

"At the same time, e-hailing drivers must also be responsible by ensuring that their health is in good condition at all times.

"The level of personal health is very important to ensure that the services provided are safe, especially to passengers and other road users," Dr Wee said.