Taxi drivers have been ordered to pull their socks up or face a fine in an effort to smarten up the image of the country's cabbies, local media reported today.

Drivers caught not wearing socks, leaving their shirt tails flapping loose, or deviating from the colour code of white shirt and black shoes could face fines of up to RM300, the Star newspaper said.

"Although it is a harsh action, we have to start somewhere to get taxi drivers to be dignified and dressed well so they project a professional image," said Markiman Kobiran of the taxi licensing board.

"There is no reason for them to slack after getting the licence," the newspaper quoted him as saying.

The strict enforcement of the uniform code was not welcomed by some taxi drivers, the Star reported.

Abdul Jalil Maarof, president of a taxi owners association, told the newspaper that the fines were too high considering a taxi driver only earned about RM100 in a day.

"This will only make good taxi drivers get angry. I actually saw a taxi driver crying over having to pay a fine of RM200," he said.