Peak service taxis
Peak service taxis improve the availability of taxis at night and during special events.
Information on this page
What are peak service taxis?
The Victorian Government has introduced peak service taxis, identifiable by their distinctive green tops, for metropolitan Melbourne to improve the availability of taxis in late afternoon, evening and early morning, and during special events.
Operating a peak service taxi provides Melbourne's best taxi drivers with the chance to be their own boss and run their own successful business.
Peak service licence holders are required to:
- pay an annual fee for the right to operate a peak service taxi
- pay a prescribed annual administration fee
- complete a Taxicare Taxi Operator Training Course
- purchase a vehicle
- paint the body of the vehicle Victorian 'taxi yellow' and the roof Victorian 'taxi green'
- install an approved taxi-cab security camera
- establish an agreement with an authorised taxi network service provider
Licence-holders are not permitted to sell or assign their peak service taxi licence.
Hours of operation
Peak service taxis operate between 3pm and 7am in metropolitan Melbourne, and can also operate 24 hours a day during the Australian Formula One Grand Prix, and on Melbourne Cup Day and Oaks Day.
Latest peak service taxi licence issue
A total of 600 peak service taxi licences were issued between 2003 and 2009, with approximately 100 licences issued each year, as part of a taxi and hire car reform package.
In April 2009, an offer of 100 metropolitan peak service taxi licences was announced, half of which have been allocated for use on environmentally-friendly hybrid vehicles.
There was an overwhelming response from the industry, with a total of 645 applications received.
For more information, contact the Victorian Taxi Directorate.