Section 76: Public service vehicle licence

76. Public service vehicle licence (1) (a) (i) No person shall use, or cause or permit to be used, a motor vehicle as a bus, contract bus, taxi or contract car, unless there is in force in relation to that motor vehicle a public service vehicle licence to use it as a vehicle of that class in accordance with this Part. (ii) A vehicle having a seating capacity for 7 or more passengers which is licensed as a bus may also be licensed as a contract bus. (b) Any person who contravenes this section shall commit an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding 1,000 rupees and to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months. (2) A public vehicle licence may— (a) be refused; or [Issue 3] R27 – 66 Revised Laws of Mauritius (b) where it has already been granted, be suspended or revoked by the Authority if, having regard to— (i) the character or conduct of the applicant or holder of the licence; or (ii) the manner in which the vehicle is being used, it appears to the Authority that he is not a fit and proper person to hold the licence. (3) A public service vehicle licence— (a) shall not be granted or renewed; or (b) where it has already been granted or renewed, may be suspended or revoked by the Authority, if the prescribed conditions as to fitness are not fulfilled in respect of the vehicle. (4) Where a public service vehicle licence is suspended or revoked under subsection (2) or (3), the Authority shall cause seals to be affixed to the motor vehicle during the period of suspension or revocation. (5) Any unauthorised person who breaks a seal affixed under subsection (4), or causes or permits a seal to be broken, shall commit an offence. (6) The Authority may— (a) attach to a public service vehicle licence such conditions; and (b) vary the conditions under paragraph (a), as it thinks fit. (7) Where the driver, owner or conductor of any public service vehicle wilfully or negligently fails to comply with any of the conditions attached to the public service vehicle licence issued in respect of that vehicle, he shall commit an offence. [S. 76 amended by s. 3 of Act 2 of 1995 w.e.f. 24 June 1995.]