Commercial Passenger Vehicle and Bus Driver Accreditation with Metropolitan Taxi / Metropolitan Hire Car Endorsement

Drivers of metropolitan taxis and hire cars must hold a Commercial Passenger Vehicle and Bus Driver Accreditation with Metropolitan Taxi/Metropolitan Hire Car Endorsement. This page outlines the application process, effective 3 October 2011.

Information on this page

• Background
• Application process
• Fees
• Further information

Background

To drive a taxi or hire car in the Metropolitan Taxi Zone, you must hold a Metropolitan Taxi and Hire Car Driver Accreditation.

This page outlines the process for applying for a Driver Accreditation for metropolitan taxis and hire cars. See maps of taxi zones and network service providers (depots).

To apply for a different Driver Accreditation (such as one for country taxis and hire cars or for the Outer Suburban Taxi Zone), see Commercial Passenger Vehicle and Bus Driver Accreditation

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Application process (effective 3 October 2011)

Step 1: Complete application form

To apply, complete the Application for Accreditation to Drive a Commercial Passenger Vehicle and Private Bus (PDF, 404 KB, 32 pp.) booklet, including the completed medical certificate and vision acuteness certificate.

• Two current colour passport photos, taken within the last six months.
• Your current full (non-probationary) Driver Licence. If you have held a Victorian Driver Licence for less than 12 months, you must successfully complete an Independent Driving Assessment on application.
  

• A second acceptable proof of identification.
• A current (issued within the last 6 months) National Police Certificate (NPC) (PDF, 129 KB, 1 pp.)

• A new online application form for a NPC is available by visiting Victoria Police or alternatively call the Victoria Police information line on 1300 881 596. The Victorian Taxi Directorate no longer provides applicants with Consent to Check and Release National Police Record Forms.

  If you are from a Culturally & Linguistically Diverse background (CALD*), you must provide a certificate of evidence of English Language Competency in the form of:
  

  • For International Second Language Proficiency Ratings (ISLPR); level 3 in speaking, level 3 in listening, level 2 in reading and level 2 in writing; or
  • For English as a Second Language (ESL); Certificate III in ESL (for speaking and listening) and Certificate II in ESL (for reading and writing); or
  • For International English Language Testing System (IELTS); 5.5 for Speaking and Listening and an average of 5.5.

  The certificate must have been issued in Australia within the last twelve months
  

  *CALD is identified where:

  • The applicant was born in a country where English is not the primary recognised language
  • The language spoken at home is a language other than english.
    

Step 2: Lodge application at the VTD

If criteria is not met, you will be advised to provide additional information. All new applicants for Metropolitan Taxi and Hire Car Driver Accrditation will be asked four on-the-spot questions before being issued an authority to proceed to training. These questions are designed to assist in identifying any areas of weakness before training commences.

Step 3: Victorian Taxi Directorate issues Driver Accreditation Training Register

If you have met the criteria, the Victorian Taxi Directorate will issue a Taxi Driver Training Register (Authority to Proceed).

Step 4: Enrol in Driver Accreditation Training

Attend a registered training organisation and enrol in Driver Accreditation Training

Step 5: Undertake required units of Certificate II in Driving Operations

Once you have satisfactorily completed the units, the registered training organisation will endorse your Driver Accreditation Training Register and provide you with a statement of results.

Step 6: Lodge endorsed Driver Accreditation Training Register and statement of results

Lodge your training documentation in person at the Victorian Taxi Directorate:

• Your endorsed Taxi Driver Training Register.
• Your statement of results.

Step 7: Victorian Taxi Directorate assesses application

The Victorian Taxi Directorate will assess your application, taking into consideration:

• Its duty of care to the public.
• The results of your medical examination and vision acuteness test.
• Your driving and criminal history and whether there would be an increased risk of re-offending.
• Your competency to provide the service.

Some applicants who present their Taxi Training Passport or Taxi Training Register at the VTD to obtain a driver accreditation will be randomly selected to undertake a mandatory summarised test of the driver accreditation training and Knowledge of Melbourne test by a VTD representative. The test will take approximately 30 minutes.

Step 8: Victorian Taxi Directorate issues Driver Accreditation

If satisfied that it is appropriate, based on the above criteria, the Victorian Taxi Directorate will issue you a Driver Accreditation and a copy of Driver Accreditation Conditions on payment of the fee.

Step 9: Renewing your Driver Accreditation

You will be sent a renewal form about six weeks before your Driver Accreditation expires. You need to:

• Complete and sign the renewal form.
• Have the medical certificate completed by a registered medical practitioner.
• Have the vision acuteness certificate completed by a registered medical practitioner or registered optometrist.
• Lodge the form in person to the Victorian Taxi Directorate or a VicRoads office.
• Have a photograph taken at the Victorian Taxi Directorate or a VicRoads office.

If all criteria are still met, the Victorian Taxi Directorate will re-issue a Driver Accreditation for a further period on payment of the fee.

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Fees

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Further information

For further information, contact us.