Taxi vehicle standards (except multi-purpose taxis) for:

• Sedans/station sedans (MA or MC category)
  A minimum passenger seating capacity of 4.
  
  
• People movers (MA or MB category)
  A minimum passenger seating capacity of 6 and a maximum of 8, including
  where a seat is removed to fulfil access requirements.
  
  
• Vans (MD1, MD2 or MD3 category)
  A minimum passenger seating capacity of 9 and maximum of 14.

Note: Personnel (Troop) Carriers and Coupés, NA and NB category vehicles will not be licensed as taxis.

Vehicles must also comply with relevant national standards and continue to comply with in-service vehicle standards.

• Taxi age limits
• Access requirements
• Luggage space
• Modified vehicles and/or vehicles with modified equipment
• Taxi equipment
• Insurance requirements

Taxi age limits

For owned taxi plates: vehicle age limit applies to date when first licensed as a vehicle.

For leased taxi plates: vehicle age limit applies from the compliance plate date.

• The vehicle must be less than 5 years old for entry into the metropolitan fleet.
• The maximum age limit for vehicles licensed as metropolitan taxis is 8 years.
• The maximum age limit for vehicles licensed to operate as peak-period taxis is 10 years.
  

Access requirements

Note: Measurements are to be taken with the seat(s) in the rear-most and lowest position. Measurements to or from seat cushions are to be taken with an undepressed cushion. 

Sedans/station sedans

• Must have two side doors on each side of the vehicle.
• Must not have seat(s) that require folding to attain access to any other seating position.
• The minimum acceptable width between armrests in the rear of vehicle is 1300mm.
• The minimum acceptable distance between the back of a seat and the cushion of the seat directly behind is 180mm.

People movers and minibuses

• A seat (such as an outboard seat) that requires folding to attain access or egress to any seating position, or otherwise precludes minimum access requirements, must be permanently removed. (Note: an outboard seat is a front or rear-facing seating position nearest the vehicle side wall where the seat cushion is within 200mm of this side wall.)
• The minimum acceptable width between armrests in the rear of vehicle is 1250mm.
• The minimum acceptable distance between the back of a seat and the cushion of the seat directly behind is 200mm.
• The minimum acceptable isle width for vans is 300mm.

Luggage space

A luggage space volume of 0.25m3 (250 litres) is the general minimum for sedan/station sedans and vans. People movers used exclusively as peak-period taxis are exempted from this rule.

Adequate luggage space must be provided:

• External to the passenger compartment for sedans.
• To the rear of the rearmost seat in station sedans and people movers. A cargo barrier (complying with AS/NZS 4034.1.1998) must be fitted behind the rearmost seat.
• Roof racks are not permitted

Modified vehicles and/or vehicles with modified equipment

Modified vehicles and/or vehicles fitted with non-standard equipment may need to comply with other applicable standards and must obtain th Department’s written approval. For example, vehicles modified to operate on LPG must be constructed and maintained in accordance with AS/NZS 1425.

A sunroof must not interfere with the normal placement of the illuminated roof sign.

Taxi equipment

MANDATORY

All vehicles presented for licensing as a taxi must be equipped with:

• An illuminated roof sign with the word “TAXI” or the name of a taxi company clearly legible.
• Any additional signage as specified in the taxi plate ownership conditions.
• Raised taxi registration numbers must be placed on the exterior of passenger doors forward of the handle. The signage is to include Braille and raised characters.

• An approved taxi fare schedule that is clearly visible to all passengers.   

• A sealed taxi meter with a current registered meter mechanics inspection advice card.
  If the lead seal or the copper wire loop is broken or not visible, the taxi will be rejected.

• A Department approved camera surveillance unit.

OPTIONAL

Taxi driver protection screen

• A Department approved taxi driver protection screen. When correctly fitted the protection screen must comply with relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The list of Department approved taxi driver protection screens and the cars which they can be installed in can be found here (pdf 24kb). Please note that you are required to contact the Department prior to the installation of the protection screens.

Insurance requirements

All vehicles presented for licensing as a taxi must have a current comprehensive insurance policy.

The insurance shall:

• Include public liability cover of at least $5 million (which extends to cover passengers injured in the taxi, or within the immediate vicinity of the taxi, by a fault of the vehicle, but need not extend to cover passengers in a motor vehicle accident); or
• Be in conjunction with a separate insurance policy which provides public liability cover of at least $5 million (to the same extent referred to in condition 8.1(a)).

For further information please contact us.