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PTV equipment and modification requirements
The standards that apply to a vehicle vary depending on the type of service being provided
Equipment and safety standards for PTVs
Passenger transport vehicle (PTV) authorisations are available in one or more of the following four categories of service:
- on-demand rank or hail (OD-RH) (taxi);
- on-demand charter (OD-C);
- tourism passenger transport (TPT); and
- regular passenger transport (RPT).
The standards that apply to a vehicle vary depending on the type of service being provided and are summarised in the following table. It is important to note that responsibility for meeting these standards can fall with the driver, vehicle provider, service provider and any other person able to influence the outcome.
Offences may apply for failing to meet these standards or the PTV authorisations may be invalid.
Please note: there is no maximum vehicle age for PTVs under the legislation. On-demand booking services (ODBSs) may have their own vehicle age and inspection requirements – please liaise directly with your ODBS for specific advice.
IMPORTANT: Vehicle modification approval may be required if additional equipment installed in your PTV forms a change or alteration from the vehicle manufacturers’ specifications.
Mandated equipment that will usually require a modification approval is outlined in the table below. Modifications classified as “Simple” or “Complex” require approval. “Minor” modifications do not require approval.
Full details of which modifications may require approval and how to seek approval can be found in the PTV modifications section of this page.
| Standard | OD-RH (taxi) | OD-C (charter) | TPT | RPT | Modification type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any motor cycle used must meet prescribed standards and motor cycle helmets of a prescribed standard must be provided. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| All receipts provided must have the ODBS identifying details on them. | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Fares on fare schedules must not be more than the prescribed amounts | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Fare schedules meeting the required standard must be in a position that is clearly visible to prospective passengers from outside the front passenger window, and to passengers inside the vehicle. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Payment terminal surcharges must not exceed 5%. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Recordings from a camera fitted to any type of passenger transport vehicle must be protected from misuse. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| The driver of a taxi must display their ID card so it’s clearly visible to passengers. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| The authorisation number and contact information of the ODBS must be displayed in the vehicle. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Vehicle must be licensed. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Vehicle must be roadworthy. |
Yes |
Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Vehicle must be properly maintained. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Vehicle must not be marked like a taxi. | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Vehicle must be clearly marked as a taxi | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Vehicle must be fitted with a roof light that is lit when the vehicle is available for hire and not lit when unavailable. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Vehicle must have the contact information of the booking service/s clearly and prominently painted or marked on it. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Vehicle must have either a sign in the left of the rear window or livery that is legible and visible at day and night. All livery and signage must identify the ODBS by name or logo. | - | Yes | - | - | Minor* |
| Vehicle must be fitted with a compliant camera surveillance unit. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Vehicle must have signs on the inside and outside advising the passengers that they are being recorded. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Vehicle fitted with a camera must have a sign on the inside advising the passengers that they are being recorded. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Minor* |
| Vehicles must have fare calculation devices (meters) installed that meet the prescribed requirements. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Vehicle must have raised lettering just forward of the door handles. If this is not possible, due to the design of the vehicle, the raised lettering must be in another position close to the door handle. | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Vehicle must display prominent livery of the associated booking service on both sides of the vehicles (on side panels). | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
| Wheelchair hoists/ramps, tiedowns and occupant restraints must meet prescribed standards. | Yes | Yes | - | - | Complex |
| Dispatch equipment | Yes | - | - | - | Minor* |
* Any of the minor modifications listed above that result in a non-conformance with the Australian Design Rules will require a modification permit.
PTV modifications
Vehicle modification approval may be required if additional equipment installed in your PTV forms a change or alteration from the vehicle manufacturers’ specifications.
Minor modifications
Minor modifications do not require approval or an inspection. Typical minor PTV modifications include:
- applying livery, signs or stickers in or on the vehicle;
- installing a luggage barrier;
- taxi roof light mounted directly on the vehicle’s roof, or mounted on a roof rack;
- fare calculation devices (meters);
- camera surveillance unit devices;
- advertising boot signs (cannot be back lit or highly reflective, and must not dazzle or cause confusion to other drivers); and
- dispatch devices that are mounted to the vehicle (also known as visual display units) are considered minor modifications and do not require approval if they meet the Guidelines for the installation and location of aftermarket in-vehicle VDU devices.
No modification permit is required for these modifications provided that when fitted the vehicle continues to comply with the relevant Australian Design Rules.
Simple modifications
Simple modifications require an inspection and approval by an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS).
Any of the minor modifications listed above that result in a non-conformance with the Australian Design Rules will require a modification permit.
Example of simple modifications which require an inspection and approval by an Authorised Inspection Station (AIS) are shown in the Modify or construct a vehicle section of the Department of Transport website.
Complex modifications
Complex modifications require Engineering Certification from DoT. Typical complex PTV modifications include:
- wheelchair hoist or ramp installation;
- wheelchair tiedown systems;
- wheelchair occupant restraint system installation; and
- changes to seating capacity.
An approval letter from DoT's Vehicle Safety Standards branch and a modification permit are required for these types of modification.
Modification approvals
If your vehicle modification is approved by DoT, you will be issued a modification permit by the Authorised Inspection Station. You are required to carry this inside the vehicle at all times and keep copies in a safe place.
More detail about vehicle modifications and approvals can be found on the Modify or construct a vehicle page.
PTV plates
PTV plates are number plates that identify the vehicle as a passenger transport vehicle. There are different types of PTV plates depending on the category of PTV the vehicle has been granted.
Visit the PTV plates page to find out more.
Approval of equipment, modifications and fittings
Some vehicle modifications, equipment and fittings must be approved by the Department of Transport (DoT) and all must comply with applicable standards e.g. Australian Design Rules.
Non-standard and modified vehicles will require an inspection before the vehicle can be licensed. Refer to the Licensing section for information on how to get a vehicle inspected, including applicable fees. Refer to the modify or construct a vehicle section for details on what modifications require approval.
| Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 | Kb | |
| Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts: Australian Design Rules | ||
|---|---|---|
Fare calculation devices (meters)
Meter requirements
The Transport (Road Passenger Services) Regulations 2020 (the Regulations) outline requirements for the use of meters in on-demand rank or hail (taxi) PTVs.
All fares and charges displayed on the meter must be clearly visible to passengers in the vehicle who wish to view them, whether on the device itself or through an auxiliary device (such as those in the rear of wheelchair accessible vehicles).
The meter must:
- display the fare, including any additional fees, charges or tolls, in numerals and in Australian dollars;
- be capable of accurately calculating the fare at all times when the vehicle is being used as an on-demand rank or hail (taxi) PTV; and
- be calibrated so that it determines the fare in accordance with the Regulations.
The fare calculation device must be:
- in working order;
- resistant to tampering and vandalism; and
- securely fixed to the vehicle; or
- secured in a mounting that is designed and manufactured for that purpose and is fixed to the vehicle in the manner intended by the manufacturer.
Meter installation
The meter must not be located in any position, or installed in any way, in which it is likely to cause injury to the driver or any passenger during normal operation of the vehicle or in the event of severe acceleration or deceleration.
The installation of a meter is classified as a simple vehicle modification. This will be assessed for compliance during:
- the initial inspection prior to applying for a PTV authorisation;
- annual inspections required to maintain PTV authorisation; and
- compliance inspections.
Meter installation may require a vehicle modification approval. Refer to the PTV modifications section of this page for more detail about modifications.
Camera surveillance units (CSUs)
The installation of mountings for a camera surveillance unit (CSU) is classified as a simple vehicle modification.
This will be assessed for compliance during:
- the initial inspection prior to applying for a PTV authorisation;
- annual inspections required to maintain PTV authorisation; and
- compliance inspections.
CSU installation may require a vehicle modification approval. Refer to the PTV modifications section of this page for more detail about modifications.
CSUs that meet the prescribed standard are mandatory in all rank or hail (taxi) PTVs in Western Australia.
Details about CSU requirements and supporting resources are available on the Camera Surveillance Units page.
Raised lettering for people with vision impairment or low vision
It is a Commonwealth Government requirement that people with vision impairment or low vision must be able to identify the taxi they are travelling in, to confirm it is a registered vehicle.
Raised taxi registration numbers must be placed on the exterior passenger doors of the taxi, forward of the handle (as pictured below).
For further information, please visit the Transporting people with a disability page.
Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs)
Owners of suitable on-demand rank or hail (taxi) vehicles may equip their vehicle with modifications to increase transport options for people with disability. Information about the codes and grant opportunities are available on Wheelchair accessible vehicles page.
| Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 | Kb | |
Optional equipment for driver safety
Optional equipment for driver safety can be installed in PTVs (such as driver protection screens), as long as it meets relevant criteria and standards.
Vehicle modifications will be assessed for compliance during annual and compliance inspections. Some modifications may require a vehicle modification approval. Refer to the PTV vehicle modifications section of this page for more detail about modifications.