Operating a passenger transport business

• Metropolitan taxis display a distinct taxi number plate, taxi company name and have a taxi roof sign on top of the vehicle.
• A taxi may be hired by booking through a designated taxi company, at a taxi-cab rank or hailed from the side of the road.
• Metropolitan taxis (General) have an age limit of 8 years. However, can apply for an exemption to operate  up to a maximum of 10 years in exceptional circumstances, where supply chain issues have delayed delivery of a vehicle.
• Access Taxis have an age limit of 12 years.
• Taxi plate licence holders, including those who lease taxi plates, must have successfully completed a taxi operator’s course as conducted by the Taxi Council SA Inc - phone 8301 8400.
• Taxi driver (TX) accreditation is required to drive a metropolitan taxi.

• Country taxis display a distinct taxi number plate, taxi company or trading name and have a taxi roof sign on top of the vehicle
• A taxi may be hired by booking through a designated taxi company/operator, at a taxi-cab rank or hailed from the side of the road.
• Country taxis have an age limit of 15 years and are subject to an annual roadworthy inspection.
• Small passenger (SP) or taxi driver (TX) driver accreditation is required to drive a country taxi.

• Large passenger vehicles have a seating capacity of 13 or more and are subject to an annual roadworthy inspection. The vehicle age limit is 25 years.
• Large passenger vehicles may be booked for tours, corporate work or private hire. Some may provide route services under contract or approval to the government.
• All drivers of large passenger vehicles must hold an unrestricted drivers licence class of LR, MR, HR, HC or MC.
• Large passenger (LP) driver accreditation is required to drive a vehicle with 13 seats or more. LP driver accreditation does not cover SP (small passenger) driver accreditation.

• Chauffeur plated metropolitan vehicles can provide a point-to-point service, including bookings for corporate and government work or private hire. They may also do special events and tours.
• Chauffeur metropolitan vehicles have blue and white chauffeur number plates and can be booked through an accredited booking service or directly with an operator. Vehicles cannot be hailed from the side of the road and they cannot stop in a taxi-cab rank.
• Chauffeur plated vehicles are subject to an annual roadworthy inspection and have an age limit of 8 years.

• Rideshare vehicles with private number plates must be booked through an accredited booking service, generally a mobile - eg smartphone application. Trips cannot be booked directly with a driver or operator.
• Rideshare vehicles cannot be hailed from the side of the road and they cannot stop in a taxi-cab rank.
• Rideshare vehicles must display the accredited booking service signage and blue and white 'PV' sticker.
• Rideshare vehicles are subject to an annual roadworthy inspection and have an age limit of 8 years.

This category applies to services outside the ‘Metropolitan Adelaide Boundary’ under the Passenger Transport Act 1994. The category enables an operator to use a vehicle until it is 15 years of age and is subject to an annual roadworthy inspection.

• Special purpose chauffeur vehicles provide a personalised service to passengers wishing to book a car and driver for a special event - eg a wedding  or a tour. They cannot provide a point-to-point service.
• A special-purpose chauffeured vehicle must be booked. They cannot be hailed from the side of the road. They cannot stop at a taxi-cab rank.
• Vehicles in this category are limited by the kilometres to be travelled both per annum (40,000) and overall (320,000) and are subject to an annual roadworthy inspection.
• The vehicle age limit is 15 years. An age limit exemption may be considered in certain circumstances where the condition or type of vehicle is an integral component of the service (classic, veteran or vintage). Any exemption takes into consideration the plan of operation and is subject to legislative requirements.
• Stretch limousines have an age limit of 15 years. Applications can be made for an exemption to operate beyond 15 years, up to a maximum age of 20 years if the vehicle meets appropriate standards for passenger safety and comfort. The maximum operating age of a stretch limousine cannot be further extended beyond 20 years.

• Motorcycle accreditation allows passengers to book a motorcycle and rider and be taken for a journey, usually a tour or special event journey. Contact the Accreditation and Licensing for licensing requirements.
• Motorcycles are subject to an annual roadworthy inspection and have an age limit of 15 years.

• Horse-drawn accreditation applies to horse and carriage journeys where a passenger may book the service beforehand and engage the operator of the horse-drawn service for special events or for tourism services. Contact Accreditation and Licensing for licensing requirements.
• Horse-drawn carriages are subject to an annual roadworthy inspection.

It is a requirement of operator accreditation to arrange the following insurances issued by a company incorporated in Australia:

• public liability Insurance for a minimum of $5 million
• third party property or comprehensive insurance
• compulsory third party Insurance for a public passenger transport vehicle.

You must complete and submit a plan of operation  (269.2 KB PDF) with your application, to the Accreditation and Licensing Centre, with a summary of the service you wish to provide

If there are any significant variations to the nature of the service, or a new vehicle is added, a new plan of operation must be submitted with details of the changes.

Periodic vehicle Inspections must be conducted by an approved inspection station. Approved vehicles are issued with an inspection sticker to indicate that the vehicle has met the requirements of the SA government.

New small passenger vehicles, country taxis and metropolitan taxis being registered for the first time may be eligible for an exemption from their initial inspection.

Taxis

• six-monthly vehicle inspections
• unlimited kilometres
• seating capacity for 4 passengers plus driver and sufficient space for luggage
• Metropolitan taxis (General) have an age limit of 8 years. However, can apply for an exemption to operate up to a maximum of 10 years in exceptional circumstances, where supply chain issues have delayed delivery of a vehicle.
• Access Taxis have an age limit of 10 years. As is the case currently, applications can be made for an exemption to operate up to 10 years and 6 months in exceptional circumstances, where supply chain issues have delayed delivery or modification of a vehicle.

Before a taxi can operate on the road it must be fitted with:

• a taxi meter
• a roof sign (dome light)
• audio and video (CCTV).

The equipment and installation must be provided through an approved taxi technician.

Metropolitan chauffeur vehicles

• annual vehicle inspections
• unlimited kilometres
• maximum vehicle age of 8 years
• seating capacity for 4 passengers plus driver

Rideshare vehicles

• annual vehicle inspections
• unlimited kilometres
• maximum vehicle age of 8 years
• seating capacity for 4 passengers plus driver

Special purpose vehicles

• annual vehicle inspections
• kilometre limit of 40,000 km per annum and 320,000 km total
• maximum vehicle age of:
  • 15 years for 4WD/off-road, motorcycle, novelty and traditional vehicles
  • veteran, vintage or classic vehicles may exceed the 15-year limit with approval
  • Stretch limousines have an age limit of 15 years. Applications can be made for an exemption to operate beyond 15 years, up to a maximum age of 20 years if the vehicle meets appropriate standards for passenger safety and comfort. The maximum operating age of a stretch limousine cannot be further extended beyond 20 years.

Large passenger vehicles

• annual vehicle inspections
• unlimited kilometres
• maximum vehicle age of 25 years

Taxis, chauffeured, special purpose and rideshare vehicles

Horse-drawn vehicles

Large passenger vehicles

Passenger transport application forms