Apply for driver accreditation

Before applying for accreditation to drive public passenger vehicles such as taxis, rideshare vehicles, chauffeured vehicles and buses, you must:

hold a current unrestricted South Australian driver’s licence
have been driving for a minimum of six months in Australia.

Anyone wanting to provide rideshare services must also obtain operator accreditation.

What you'll need

When applying for driver accreditation you must provide:

a completed application for driver accreditation (302.7 KB PDF)
a valid working with children check from the South Australian Department of Human Services (DHS) - volunteer working with children checks are NOT accepted for driver accreditation purposes (further information is provided by the DHS Screening Unit)
a national criminal history check issued by a provider with accreditation from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission - this must not be more than three months old from the date of application and must be issued for the purpose of 'driver accreditation/licensing' (more about police checks)
a completed certificate of fitness - commercial vehicle drivers (110.3 KB PDF) that is dated by your medical practitioner within the last three 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.

If you're applying for taxi driver accreditation, you must also successfully complete a taxi driver training course conducted by an approved taxi training provider. Your certificate of completion must be presented with your application for driver accreditation.

Applicants for motorcycle or horse-drawn driver accreditation should contact the ALC on 7109 8117 for information regarding course and application requirements.

Where your working with children check indicates you are prohibited from working with children you will NOT be granted accreditation.

Your application is unlikely to be successful if:

your national criminal history check includes convictions for serious offences
you have a history of driving offences, licence disqualification or suspension(s).

If your national criminal history check has not been issued for the purpose of 'driver accreditation/licensing' your application will NOT be considered.

Application checklist

Before submitting your application check that you have attached:

your fully completed application for driver accreditation form
a copy of your working with children check
a copy of your national criminal history check
your certificate of fitness – commercial vehicle drivers completed by your doctor (or treating specialist).

Taxi drivers only:

a copy of your taxi driver training course completion certificate.

Motorcycle riders only:

a copy of your certificate of completion – commercial operator motorcycle course.

If you fail to lodge the required documents or provide incomplete documents your application for driver accreditation will NOT be considered.

Submitting your application

Lodge your completed application.

Email

DIT.ALConline@sa.gov.au

Post

Accreditation and Licensing Centre
PO Box 9
Marleston BC 5033

In person

Accreditation and Licensing Centre
71 Richmond Road
Mile End

What happens next?

Your application for driver accreditation is assessed by the Accreditation and Licensing Centre.

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 be declined or you need to attend an interview, you'll be contacted by the Accreditation and Licensing Centre.

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.