NSW Roadmap

Information relevant to the point to point transport industry as restrictions ease and the industry gets back on the road. (Updated December 15, 2021)

What changes and what stays the same?

From 18 October 2021, restrictions began to ease in line with the roadmap issued by the NSW Government, which has seen the gradual reopening of the state.  Below is a snapshot of the latest restrictions in the point to point transport industry.

Requirement

Update

Mask wearing No change - masks remain mandatory for drivers and passengers 
QR Codes and checking into point to point transport vehicles  Check in via the NSW Government QR code is no longer mandated by the Public Health Order in point to point transport vehicles across NSW for drivers and passengers.  
All drivers - whether based in Greater Sydney or Regional NSW

There are no longer any restrictions on driving between regional NSW and Greater Sydney. There is no longer any requirement for travel permits.

Vaccination requirements 
  • While the Commissioner strongly encourages the vaccination of all point to point transport drivers, under the current NSW Health Public Health Orders vaccination is mandated in specific circumstances.
  • Point to point transport drivers providing passengers services from Sydney International Airport must meet the following vaccination requirements:

    o    From Monday 1 November 12:01am, point to point transport drivers can only pick-up a fully vaccinated person arriving at Sydney International Airport if they have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination. Evidence of vaccination must be provided to the NSW Police on request.

    o    Taxi, rideshare and hire vehicle drivers transporting unvaccinated international flight crew to and from the airport must be fully vaccinated. Evidence of vaccination must be provided to the NSW Police on request.
Number of passengers permitted 
  • There is no limit to the number of passengers you can have in your vehicle.
  • It is recommended, where possible, passengers sit in the back of the vehicle.

Mask wearing

Mask wearing continues to be mandatory in all NSW point to point transport vehicles.
Drivers and passengers are required to wear masks when travelling in taxis, hire vehicles and rideshare when a passenger service is being provided. This includes waiting in a line at a rank or public pick up point.
Mandatory mask wearing does not apply to:

- Children 12 and under

- Persons with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability that makes wearing a fitted face covering unsuitable including, for example, a skin condition, an intellectual disability, autism or trauma. More information on mask-wearing, including exemptions, can be found on in the mask-wearing FAQ’s on the Keeping COVID Safe page. 

Vaccination requirements 

All drivers and passengers are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. However, under the current NSW Health Public Health Orders vaccination is mandated in specific circumstances. Businesses may propose their own vaccination plan and requirements for drivers and this should be included in the service providers Safety Management Plan. Point to point transport drivers providing passengers services from Sydney International Airport must meet the following vaccination requirements:
o    From Monday 1 November 12:01am, point to point transport drivers can only pick-up a fully vaccinated person arriving at Sydney International Airport if they have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccination. Evidence of vaccination must be provided to the NSW Police on request.

o    Taxi, rideshare and hire vehicle drivers transporting unvaccinated international flight crew to and from the airport must be fully vaccinated. Evidence of vaccination must be provided to the NSW Police on request.
 
Drivers do not need to ask passengers for proof of vaccination status.  
For service providers who have point to point transport staff working in offices or call centres:

  • if a staff member is not fully vaccinated the employer must require them to work from home, unless it is not reasonable practicable to do so.  
  • currently, employers must allow an employee who is fully vaccinated to work from their home, if it is reasonably practicable to do so.

Number of passengers permitted in a point to point transport vehicle

  • Currently, under the Public Health Order there are no passenger limitations placed on point to point transport vehicles.
  • It is recommended, where possible, passengers sit in the back of the vehicle and follow the COVID Safe advice that is in place and available on our website.

Rules for close contacts and house contacts

For advice and guidance on what to do if you have been told you are a close contact or house contact of someone with COVID-19, please visit the NSW Health website

International travellers arriving after 21 December, 2021

Travellers who are not fully vaccinated

  • Travellers who are not fully vaccinated will be transported via quarantine bus to a quarantine facility for a 14-day mandatory quarantine period.

Travellers who are fully vaccinated

  • Fully vaccinated international passengers arriving in NSW must get a COVID-19 PCR (nose and throat swab) test within 24 hours of arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.  They no longer need to self-isolate for 72 hours.

For more information, please visit the NSW Government website

​​​Reporting positive COVID-19 cases 

Service providers still need to notify the Commissioner when they become aware that a driver has tested positive for COVID-19 by completing the COVID-19 reporting form on the Industry Portal.  After the driver has completed their isolation period, they need to provide the service provider with a clearance letter from NSW Health. The service provider can then make a note in the Industry Portal and the Commissioner will flag the driver as ready to drive again. Negative results or drivers awaiting results do not need to be reported.

Getting back on the road

The following checklists will help ensure taxis, hire car and rideshare vehicles are compliant and safe for drivers and passengers as they get back on the road.For service providers, and other responsible people: 

Onboarding new drivers

With a number of new drivers entering the industry, service providers must ensure that their drivers are properly screened. Drivers must have no disqualifying offences, and they must meet all eligibility criteria. For a detailed explanation of the checks and driver management steps a service provider should undertake to onboard and manage a new driver, refer to the:
 

Taxi plate management

If you want to release them from hold, the taxis service provider, vehicle owner, taxi licence holder or an authorised representative will need to go to a Service NSW Centre to complete the transaction. If licence plates have been on hold, they will need to be released from hold. Ensure the vehicle licence plate has been entered into the Driver Vehicle Dashboard (mandatory in the Sydney Metropolitan Transport District). Understand your taxi licence holder safety obligations

Vehicle maintenance 

Vehicles providing passenger services must be properly maintained by the vehicle owner and mandatory safety inspections need to be conducted. Key points to remember regarding your vehicle maintenance obligations:

  • There must be a system in place for drivers to report and action vehicle faults.
  • Ensure the vehicle has been/will continue to be, serviced regularly by a licenced mechanic, as per the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. Service records must be in a form approved by the Commissioner. The Regulation provides more information on these requirements.

Training

Online short courses have been developed to help support service providers and other members of the point to point transport industry understand their legal responsibilities and safety obligations. Visit the Point to Point Transport Commission learning centre to see what courses are available. 

Additional resources