Safety standards for taxis
- only taxis can do unbooked work
- taxis must have a roof light and sign displaying the word ‘TAXI’. ‘CAB’ or ‘CABS’
- duress alarms and vehicle tracking systems need to be installed in all taxis providing services in Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast and Newcastle
- new specifications for fare calculation devices (meters) and security cameras will be phased in by late 2018
The laws outline safety standards for vehicles used as taxis. It is a condition of authorisation that Taxi Service Providers comply with these standards.
Affiliated providers, the licence holder and the owner of the taxi also have obligations relating to the safety standards, and face penalties for non-compliance.
This page contains the following information:
- Safety standards
- Specified safety standards for Taxi Service Providers, Affiliated Taxi Service Providers and licence holders
- Accommodation standards
- Wheelchair accessible vehicles: new requirements
- Fare calculation devices (meters): new specifications
- Security camera systems: new requirements
- Duress alarms and vehicle tracking systems
- FAQs
Read the Safety Standards for Taxis fact sheet for more information.
Safety standards
Authorised Taxi Service Providers, Affiliated Taxi Service Providers and licence holders (Affiliated Providers are usually the holder of the licence) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the following safety standards are complied with.
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Vehicle registration |
The vehicle must be appropriately registered and safe to be driven on the road. Taxis need to have annual pink slip registration inspections even if the vehicle is less than 5 years old. |
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Third Party Property insurance |
The taxi must be covered by a valid insurance policy for third party property damage with cover of at least $5 million. |
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Maintenance and repairs |
Vehicles must be regularly maintained, consistent with the manufacturer’s recommendations and any maintenance and repairs (excluding minor repairs) must be performed by a licensed mechanic. Basic maintenance such as oil changes, spark plug replacements and tyre changes do not need to be carried out by a mechanic. Records of all maintenance and repairs carried out on a vehicle should also be kept. An easy way to stay on top of things is by keeping a maintenance schedule that allows all of the information to be kept in one place. |
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Signs, lights and markings (not applicable to the vehicle owner)
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Roof light and sign: Markings: |
Specified safety standards for authorised Taxi Service Providers, Affiliated Taxi Service Providers and licence holders
Authorised Taxi Service Providers, Affiliated Taxi Service Providers and licence holders must not contravene a specified list of safety standards, inlcuding:
- accommodation standards
- wheelchair accessible vehicle standards
- fare calculation devices (meters)
- display of information
- security camera systems
- duress alarms and vehicle tracking systems for taxis in Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast and Wollongong
Accommodation standards
A taxi must be able to seat the driver and at least four adults, but no more than 11 passengers.
It must also have at least four side doors, unless it is a maxi taxi or a wheelchair accessible taxi.
Wheelchair accessible vehicles
A wheelchair accessible taxi must meet specific Australian Standards for hoists, tie downs and ramps for wheelchair accessible vehicles.
New requirements for wheelchair accessible vehicles
The space where a wheelchair is carried inside a vehicle must be at least 130cm long, 80cm wide and 150cm high, with no intrusions except for seatbelt devices.
Existing vehicles must be adapted within two years, while new vehicles must be fitted to the new requirements.
Fare calculation devices (meters)
New specifications for fare calculation devices apply which require taxis doing unbooked work to have a working, tamper resistant meter, with a display that is visible to all passengers.
The device must:
- be securely fixed to the taxi or secured properly in a mounting which is designed for the purpose, in a way which is not likely to cause injury to passengers or the driver
- display the fare, including any fees, charges or tolls, in Australian dollars
- be capable of accurately calculating the authorised fare
New specifications coming into effect in late 2018
All taxis that do unbooked work must upgrade their meters before 1 November 2018 when the new requirements come into effect.
In the meantime, all taxis must still have a device that complies with the specifications set out in the Passenger Transport Regulation 2007.
Display of information
The following information must be displayed inside a taxi which does unbooked work and be visible to all passengers:
- the registration number of the taxi (e.g. T1234)
- contact information for the authorised Taxi Service Provider
- how a fare is calculated and if any additional charges apply, including cleaning fees
Security camera systems specifications
Taxis that stand or ply for hire must be fitted with a working security camera system.
Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Regulation 2017 (Regulation) states in Clause 18 (1) that taxis that ply or stand for hire on a road or road related area must be fitted with an approved security camera system that is in working order. In 2017, these specifications were brought in to help ensure safe services for both passengers and drivers and to stay in line with advances in technology.
Transport for NSW has published Approved Security Camera System Specifications, as well as Safeguards for the Use of Security Camera Systems. The Taxi Security System Specifications provides the technical specifications for approved security cameras, duress alarms and vehicle tracking devices that may be fitted to a taxi in NSW. The Safeguards for the Use of Security Camera Systems outlines the standards for the access, handling, storage and transferring of video recordings made by security cameras installed in taxis.
Exemption to Clause 18 (1)
The Point to Point Transport Commissioner has exempted taxis that ply or stand for hire from Clause 18(1) of the Regulation until 1 February 2021.
This exemption is granted on the following conditions:
- The taxi is fitted with a security camera system that was compliant immediately before the repeal of the Passenger Transport Regulation 2007,
- If a security camera system fitted in the taxi is not in working order or during the period of the exemption ceases to be in working order, it is to be replaced by an approved security camera system,
- If the taxi is replaced during the period of the exemption, the replacement taxi will be fitted with an approved security camera system.
This means taxis that were fitted with a compliant security camera system under the Passenger Transport Regulation 2007 have until 1 February 2021 to comply with specifications outlined in the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Act 2016 and Regulation.
Taxis fitted with security camera systems that did not comply with the Passenger Transport Regulation 2007
Taxis that were fitted with security camera systems that did not comply with the Passenger Transport Regulation 2007 before that regulation was repealed are not exempt from Clause 18 (1). These taxis must not ply or stand for hire unless they are fitted with security camera systems that comply with the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Regulation 2017 and the specifications outlined by Transport for NSW.
Duress alarms and vehicle tracking systems for taxis in Sydney, Newcastle, Central Coast and Wollongong
Taxis doing unbooked work in Sydney and some parts of NSW must be fitted with a working duress alarm and vehicle tracking system that complies with new standards set by Transport for NSW.
This new requirement applies only to taxis in the following Transport Districts: Metropolitan (Sydney), Newcastle and Wollongong, and the Central Coast local government area.
Note: If taxis in your fleet do unbooked work outside these areas, it may still be a good idea to have these facilities in your taxis. You should make a risk assessment in consultation with your affiliated providers and drivers about whether these facilities would be reasonable measures to help you mitigate safety risks to drivers and passengers.