How to become a taxi driver

• Taxi Driver Authorisation Package (pdf 143KB)
• Application for an Authority to Drive Taxi-Cab or Private Hire Vehicle (pdf 209KB)
• Notification of Change of Address Form (pdf 77KB)
• Medical Assessment Public Passenger Vehicle Driver Form (pdf 106KB)
• Medical Specialist Assessment Report Form (pdf 68KB)
• Driver training
• Proving your identity

Application process

The criteria for taxi driver authorisation are the requirements that applicants must meet before a taxi driver authority can be issued by Transport for NSW. The criteria are contained in the Taxi Driver Authorisation Package (pdf 143KB).

For applicants who wish to work outside the Sydney metropolitan area, see country taxi driver requirements below as some of the requirements for becoming a driver are different.

Step 1

Applicants must be at least 20 years of age and must:

• Hold a NSW driver licence (fully unrestricted).
• Have read and understood the criteria, conditions and procedures for authorisation as outlined in the authorisation package.
• Have attended and successfully completed an assessment of English language applicable to taxi drivers at the Adult Migrant English Service (AMES).
• Have had a medical practitioner complete a Medical Assessment Public Passenger Vehicle Driver Form (pdf 106KB).
• If a further medical referral is required, have had a medical specialist complete a Medical Specialist Assessment Report Form (pdf 68KB).
• Have completed and signed the application form and declaration (pdf 209KB), and attached all of the documents requested.
• Have satisfied the Director General of Transport for NSW that they:
  • are of good repute and in all other respects a fit and proper person to be the driver of a taxi
  • have sufficient responsibility to drive a taxi in accordance with law and custom.

Step 2

You should then contact an approved taxi driver training school to discuss your enrolment fees, training program and the application process.

Step 3

The training school will deliver the application form you have completed, all the documents and a cheque for $100 which is for the application fee (non refundable) to Transport for NSW.

Country taxi driver requirements

New taxi drivers in the Wollongong and Newcastle transport districts are required to complete a training course specific to their region. New drivers who wish to drive in an area outside a recognised transport district (Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong) do not need to complete a formal course.

NSW country

Requirements for new drivers:

• Applicants must be at least 20 years of age and must have a fully unrestricted NSW driver licence
• Completed the taxi application form including 2 photos
• Completed a medical form (no older than 6 months)
• Paid the fee of $100.

Newcastle

Requirements for new drivers:

• Applicants must be at least 20 years of age and must have a fully unrestricted NSW driver licence
• Completed the taxi application form including 2 photos
• Completed a medical form (no older than 6 months)
• Paid the fee of $100.

Wollongong

Requirements for new drivers:

• Applicants must be at least 20 years of age and must have a fully unrestricted NSW driver licence
• Completed the taxi application form including 2 photos
• Completed a medical form (no older than 6 months)
• Paid the fee of $100.

Related links

• Application for an Authority to Drive Taxi-Cab or Private Hire Vehicle (doc 2MB)
• Medical Assessment Public Passenger Vehicle Driver Form (doc 2MB)
• Medical Specialist Assessment Report Form (doc 2MB)
• Application for Replacement Driver Authority (pdf 193KB)
• Taxi driver training schools
• Mutual recognition of drivers
• Proving your identity