The case in summary: • Taxi driver Jan Paulsen (75) had to stop working as a taxi driver when he turned 75, despite the fact that he has a recent health certificate.• The rules for taxi and bus drivers state that they cannot transport people for payment after they have turned 75.• Paulsen has instead driven for the volunteering center in Sandefjord, where he can drive a minibus with up to 9 passengers.• NHO Transport asked in 2021 for a reassessment of the age requirement for buses and taxis, but the Directorate of Health and the Directorate of Roads believe the risk of accidents increases for people over the age of 75. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – I think it is as unfair as it can get, says Jan Paulsen. Until May this year, he was able to work as a taxi driver. A job he really enjoyed. When he turned 75 in May, he applied to continue, but was flatly refused. Even with a new health certificate and letter of recommendation from the police, he had to quit. Jan Paulsen loves his job as a taxi driver. Photo: John-André Samuelsen / news – Illogical border The reason is separate rules for taxi and bus drivers. After they have reached the age of 75, they can no longer transport people for payment. In May and June, Paulsen has therefore driven for the volunteer center in Sandefjord. Because it is legal. There he drives a minibus with up to 9 passengers. – I find this illogical. The only difference is that I don’t get paid there. But a human life is a human life, whether I drive for the welfare center or this taxi. But it is clear that they have forgotten that, says Paulsen. The taxi association says that this is a matter they wish to look into more closely. According to chairman Øystein Trevland in the Taxi Association, several people have contacted the association about this 75-year age limit. He says that this is something they want to take up with the politicians now after the holidays, to hear if it is possible to do something about the rules. Edvard Eriksen (on the right) thinks it is strange that he can drive a wagon train while Jan is refused to drive a taxi. Photo: John-André Samuelsen / news Ship – OK, Truck – OK, Taxi – No Someone known to Jan Paulsen is Edvard Eriksen (77). He has a truck driver’s license and can take on assignments whenever he wants. – I think it’s a bit strange that the limits for taxis are like this, says Eriksen. Captain Jon Waggestad (77) still works on passenger ferries. For him, there is no age limit. – Here it is the health certificate that is absolute, says Waggestad. But Waggestad points to a small difference. As the captain of a ship, he is not alone. There is always someone else on board who can be trusted if something should happen. Captain Jon Waggestad (77) is working on several passenger ferries this summer. Here on the ferry to Østre Bolærne in the Oslofjord. Photo: John-André Samuelsen / news Will prevent serious accidents By 2021 at the latest, NHO Transport asked for a reassessment of the age requirement for buses and taxis. The Ministry of Transport then received a professional assessment from the Directorate of Health and the Directorate of Roads. The Directorate of Health writes that they expect the risk of accidents to increase for people over 75. The Norwegian Roads Administration believes that charging people for driving has something to do with what risk can be accepted. The risk must be low when it is part of public transport, where users have no choice, the directorate believes. Jan Paulsen and the taxi he is so fond of driving. His friend Jon Waggestad (77) is the skipper of this boat. As long as the health certificate is in order, Jon Waggestad can work as a captain on large boats and ships even if he is over 75 years old. Edvard (77) can drive a train , but Jan (75) is not allowed to drive a taxi because of his age.Jan Paulsen thinks the regulations are unfair – More involved in accidents The risk increases with age. This is according to State Secretary Bent-Joacim Bentzen (Sp) in the Ministry of Transport. State Secretary Bent-Joacim Bentzen (Sp) follows professional advice from the Directorate of Health and the Directorate of Roads. The council says that they should continue with an age requirement for bus and taxi drivers. Photo: Eirill DeLonge – Figures from the Utrykkingspolitiet show that 3 per cent of those traveling in traffic are over 75 years old. However, these are involved in 20 per cent of the accidents that occur, says Bentzen. When asked why there is no age limit for driving trains and lorries, or for being a ship captain, the ministry replies as follows: – The driver’s seat is necessary to transport passengers on Norwegian roads. We believe there is a difference between transporting things and passengers. Nevertheless, we underline that truck drivers are also subject to strict health requirements. The ministry refuses to change the rules now. Can drive wagons and ships, but is too old for a taxi These are the different health requirements for different drivers Taxi drivers and bus drivers must have a valid health certificate. But after they are 75 years old, they cannot drive people for payment. Truck drivers must have a valid health certificate to hold a driving licence. There are somewhat stricter requirements for truck drivers than drivers of passenger cars, according to the Norwegian Directorate of Health. Captains on boats follow an international set of regulations. The captain must have his own health certificate. There is no age limit, confirms the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. Published 11.08.2024, at 22.12
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The taxi driver annoyed – only he has an age limit – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
