SINGAPORE - From Saturday (July 1), private-hire car drivers who fail to display a licence or special decals on their windscreens will face a fine, or even jail time.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) in a statement on Thursday (June 29) that those who do not display the decals, or tamper with them in any way, are guilty of an offence under the Road Traffic Act.

First-time offenders could be fined up to $1,000, jailed up to three months, or both. The punishment goes up to $2,000 and six months for repeat offenders. They may also have their Private Hire Car Driver's Vocational Licence (PDVL) revoked.

Meanwhile, those who provide services without a PDVL or a concession letter from the LTA could be fined up to $500, jailed up to three months, or both. They could also be banned from holding such a licence.

As of June 24, about 27,000 private-hire cars had been affixed with the tamper-evident decals. They are meant to allow commuters to easily identify registered cars and facilitate ground enforcement against errant drivers.

People who have committed extremely serious offences - such as rape, murder or kidnapping - are barred from obtaining a PDVL.

Meanwhile, those who have committed less serious offences - for example, housebreaking - will be banned for a number of years from the date of their conviction. Following this, their applications will be considered if they have reformed.

Those who have not committed offences which are deemed to be a danger to the physical safety of the public - such as forgery - will not be banned.

"This calibrated approach is adopted to strike a balance between giving ex-offenders an opportunity to pursue a career as a private-hire car driver, and ensuring the safety of passengers," said the LTA in its statement.