Rideshare accreditation and licensing
Rideshare drivers use privately-owned vehicles to transport passengers.
In the ACT, rideshare drivers need:
- driver accreditation
- a 'D' condition on their driver licence
- access to an approved rideshare licensed vehicle.
To apply, you need to meet the requirements in the Road Transport (Public Passenger Services) Regulation 2002 and the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) Regulation 2000.
If approved, you’ll get:
- a new driver licence endorsed with a 'D' condition
- a Public Vehicle Driver Authority Card
- a rideshare driver accreditation certificate
- an approval to operate letter.
If you are the registered operator of a vehicle, which is to be used for Rideshare purposes, you are required to apply for a Rideshare Vehicle Licence for that vehicle (see below).
Driver accreditation and Public Vehicle Driver Licence
To apply for rideshare driver accreditation you must:
- hold a full ACT driver licence
- be a permanent Australian resident or have a visa that allows you to work in Australia. You are required to provide a copy of one of the following documents:
- Overseas passport
- Australian passport.
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian citizenship certificate
- ImmiCard.
- hold an unrestricted ACT Working With Vulnerable People registration
- provide a commercial driver's health assessment less than 6 months old.
Exceptions for this are if you’ve submitted one in the last 5 years or already have a public vehicle driver licence and are not due to supply a medical assessment.
Copies of these documents do not need to be certified.
Apply for rideshare accreditation and a public vehicle licence
You can apply for rideshare accreditation and a public vehicle licence at the same time.
You still need a 'D' condition to drive rideshare even if you have other public vehicle conditions.
The form will ask some questions to determine whether you’re a 'suitable person' under the relevant legislation.
You’ll also need to name the rideshare companies you’ll be driving for.
- Use the Public Vehicle Driver Licence Application form
- Upload copies of your documents
- Pay the fee.
Once your application is approved, Access Canberra will post you:
- a new driver licence with a 'D' condition
- a public vehicle driver authority card (PVDAC).
Your driver accreditation certificate will be sent to you by email.
Rideshare vehicle licence
To get a rideshare licence for your vehicle, you’ll also need:
- to have an ACT vehicle registered as a passenger carrying vehicle
- to be a registered operator of the vehicle or have the authority to apply if it is registered in a company name. You will need to supply an ASIC certificate to substantiate your position in the company.
- to provide a passed roadworthy inspection certificate unless you already have the appropriate Motor Accident Injuries (MAI) insurance endorsed on your vehicle registration.
- to upgrade the MAI insurance for the vehicle to rideshare insurance.
- to provide a copy of your Public Liability/vehicle Insurance policy endorsed for rideshare use and with liability cover for at least $5,000,000.
You can use your own vehicle to drive for rideshare or another person's vehicle. The other person will need get a rideshare vehicle licence before you can use their vehicle.
Roadworthy inspections
You need a passed and valid roadworthy inspection certificate when you first apply, and every year to renew.
You don’t need one when you apply if the vehicle has been registered less than 12 months and was brand new when registered.
Read about roadworthy inspections.
Apply for a rideshare vehicle licence
You can apply for vehicle licencing online.
- Use the Rideshare Vehicle Licence Application form
- Upload copies of your documents
- Pay the fee.
Access Canberra may call or email you to upgrade your vehicle’s MAI insurance.
You can also visit an Access Canberra Service Centre to upgrade the MAI insurance on your vehicle.
You’ll need to pay the difference between your vehicle’s current MAI insurance class and the rideshare class to the end of your current registration expiry.
Once approved, Access Canberra will email your rideshare vehicle licence to you.
Fees
Application for rideshare driver accreditation: $50.00
Application for rideshare vehicle licence fee: $100.00 annually or $450.00 for 6 years