The National Car Testing Service will begin examining taxis this weekend in a move designed to speed up the processing of new licence applications.
A spokeswoman for the NCTS said one Dublin centre would carry out vehicle suitability tests on taxis tomorrow before the service is extended to all 43 centres throughout the State on Monday.
"It is to help the carriage office and to speed up the passing out of vehicles but at this stage it's unclear if it is a long-term or short-term measure."
The Garda Carriage Office is processing 30 vehicles applying for new taxi licences daily, in addition to taxis and hackneys seeking a licence renewal.
Dublin Corporation yesterday confirmed 34 new taxi licences had been issued since Wednesday, including two licences for wheelchair-accessible vehicles.
A total of 1,200 applications for licences had also been made, according to Ms Eileen Brady at the office of the director of traffic. She said it was difficult to gauge how many new vehicles would be on the road before Christmas. "We can't tell exactly because when they leave us they must have their meter installed, calibrated, get their PSV licence, insurance, roof sign and be passed out at the carriage office. It's only then they come back to us and we issue the licence."
Mr Gerry Lynch, of Taximeter Services in Dublin, said yesterday his business had never been busier. He estimated he had fitted 60 meters over the last two weeks. "I'm working flat out, fitting six cars a day. In fact I'm booked up until Christmas."
A Dublin roof-sign company said yesterday was its busiest since deregulation was announced and it had dealt with up to 200 inquiries in a day.