Wheelchair accessible taxi licences

Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) licences are granted on the condition that the vehicle is used to provide safe WAT services. Preferential hiring must be given to passengers using a wheelchair. This obligation applies to drivers and taxi licence holders.

How do I apply for, and renew, a WAT licence? 

The application and renewal processes for a WAT licence are the same as the application and renewal processes for a standard taxi licence.

Both applications and renewals are made through the Taxi Licence Portal.

To help you work through the application process, the Point to Point Transport Commissioner has produced the following two resources:

• Step by step guide: Applying for a NSW taxi licence
• Video walkthrough: Applying for a NSW taxi licence

To help you work through the renewal process, the Point to Point Transport Commissioner has produced the following two resources:

• Step by step guide: Renewing a NSW taxi licence
• Video walkthrough: Renewing a NSW taxi licence

Note: There are no application or renewal fees applicable to WAT licences.

Obligations for WAT licence holders

The law places various obligations on everyone involved in the provision of WAT services, including licence holders.

All WAT licences are monitored for compliance with the obligations associated with the licence and the Point to Point Transport Commissioner may cancel, suspend or vary a WAT licence if these obligations are not met.

For a taxi licence holder, these obligations include standards relating to the vehicle providing the WAT service. They must ensure the WAT vehicle:

• Is of suitable size. The WAT must contain a space of suitable size (not less than 1300 mm long, 800 mm wide and 1500 mm high) for the wheelchair passenger.
• Has no passenger space intrusions. Have no intrusions in the space created for the wheelchair passenger, other than adjustable restraint devices.
• Carries sufficient wheelchair restraints. Ensuring the vehicle has enough tie-down restraints to properly restrain all the wheelchairs that it can legally carry.
• Carries a child restraint. Be supplied with an approved child restraint.
• Complies with the relevant safety standards. AS/NZS 3856.1:1998, AS/NZS 3856.2:1998,  AS/NZS 3696.19:2009, AS/NZS 10542.1:2015
• Complies with legislation. Must comply with the applicable standards of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport issued under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Commonwealth).

Further information

Further information is available from the Learning centre and the following links:

• The Act and Regulation
• WAV Safety: Quick reference guide for WAV drivers
• WAV Safety: Driver Safety Checklist
• WAV Safety: Service provider obligations fact sheet
• WAV Safety: Safety obligations for drivers fact sheet
• WAT Licence Compliance Policy
• WAT Preferential Hiring Compliance Procedure
• WAV Driver and Driver Assessor Competency Self-Assessment Guide
• Taxi Subsidy Scheme webpage | TfNSW
• Transport Disability Incentives and Subsidies webpage | TfNSW
• Wheelchair accessible taxis | TfNSW

If you have any questions or need further information, please visit the Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s website or call the Industry Contact Centre on 131 727.