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Before you can drive a taxi in the Adelaide metropolitan area for hire, fare or reward in South Australia you need to be accredited.
If driving country taxis only, apply for SP - Small Passenger accreditation.
To complete your accreditation application you'll need to meet certain requirements and supply supporting documentation.
What you'll need
TX - Metropolitan Taxi
A completed application for driver accreditation.
Application for driver accreditation (293.0 KB PDF)
Metropolitan taxi driver accreditation is issued for 3 years or until the expiry date of your Working with Children Check or South Australian driver's licence, whichever is sooner.
You may want to renew these documents first:
Requirements
Before submitting your application you'll need to meet these requirements:
- hold a current unrestricted South Australian driver's licence not subject to any of these conditions:
- probationary
- provisional
- suspended
- have held a full Australian driver’s licence for a minimum of 6 months
- be sufficiently competent in speaking, reading and writing English
- get a completed certificate of fitness - commercial vehicle drivers that is dated by your medical practitioner within the last 3 months, unless you already provide a certificate of fitness for the purpose of holding a heavy vehicle driver’s licence and your certificate of fitness is not due - certain medical conditions may also require a report from your treating specialist
- successfully complete a taxi driver training course conducted by an approved taxi training provider.
Taxi driver training course
Applicants who wish to be an accredited taxi driver in metropolitan Adelaide must successfully complete training through a registered training provider.
Course participants will be assessed on:
- knowledge of Adelaide
- professional development training
- competency in speaking, reading and writing English
- hours of driving.
On completion of training you will receive a certificate of completion. A copy of your certificate must be provided to the Accreditation and Licensing Centre, allowing you to apply for your 12 month trainee taxi driver accreditation.
You will need to hold your trainee driver accreditation for a minimum of six months before you can apply for permanent taxi driver accreditation. To get that you will need to:
- complete the hours of driving
- professional development training
- pass a final assessment with your training provider within the 12 month period.
If you have been a taxi driver interstate or have similar experience this may be recognised as part of your required training. Discuss this with your training provider.
Taxi driver training providers
Access Training Centre (Adelaide)
7 La Salle St
Dudley Park
Phone: 8169 9800
www.accesstrainingcentre.com.au
Suburban Taxis
432 Churchill Rd
Kilburn
Phone: 131 008
www.suburbantaxis.com.au
Taxi Council of South Australia (including Access Taxi training)
71 Richmond Rd
Mile End
Phone: 8301 8400
www.taxicouncilsa.com.au
13CABS Taxi Training
774-778 South Rd
Glandore
Documentation
Before submitting your application you'll need the following supporting documentation:
- a copy of your Working with Children Check issued by the South Australian Department of Human Services - important information
- a copy of your National Criminal History Check:
- issued by a provider with accreditation
- issued for the purpose of 'driver accreditation/licensing'
- not more than 3 months old on the date of application
- a copy of your certificate of fitness - commercial vehicle drivers
- if applicable an interstate driving and offence history
- a copy of your taxi driver training course completion certificate.
Cost
There is no cost to apply for driver accreditation.
Fees apply for:
- Driver's licence
- Working with Children Check
- National Criminal History Check
- Certificate of fitness - commercial vehicle drivers - check with your medical practitioner
- Taxi training training course - check with the taxi training providers.
Submitting your application
Lodge your completed application with supporting documentation.
Post
Accreditation and Licensing
GPO Box 1533
Adelaide SA 5001
In person
At any Service SA Centre
What happens next
Your application for driver accreditation is assessed by Accreditation and Licensing.
If your application is approved you'll need to have your photo taken. Your photo accreditation card is then manufactured and posted to you.
In some cases an application may require a more detailed assessment or further clarification. If your application is declined or you need to attend an interview, you'll be contacted by the Accreditation and Licensing Centre.
Driver obligations
While working, accredited drivers:
- must have zero blood alcohol levels and be drug free
- must display their photo ID accreditation
- cannot refuse a passenger with an assistance dog
- cannot discriminate against a person because of the person’s sex, race, disability, age, marital status, sexuality or pregnancy
- cannot drive a public passenger vehicle if their driver’s licence is expired, suspended or disqualified, or has been cancelled.
Drivers who disregard these requirements may face either temporary or permanent disqualification of their accreditation.
The information provided relates to the requirements of the South Australian government. It is recommended that drivers also ensure that they are aware of any policies of their associated booking service or operator accreditation.
Need help?
Contact Service SA
Online
Only send general enquiries online. Service SA will respond within 3 working days.
If the matter is urgent or is specifically about your current licence or registration, phone or visit a Service SA centre instead.
Phone
Call Service SA between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays:
- 13 10 84
- +61 8 8226 0206 (overseas callers).
In person
Service SA centre locations and opening hours.
