Taxi areas, meters and fares

A driver may only operate their taxi or commercial passenger vehicle (CPV) in the area specified in the licence issued to that vehicle.

There are three main journeys that can take place within a taxi area and each has individual rules when using a taxi meter and charging fares.

1. Operate only within a taxi area

The driver must operate the taxi meter on the correct rate for the entire journey.

2. Operate partly in a taxi area

The driver must operate the taxi meter for the portion of the journey inside the taxi area and the passenger may negotiate a fare for the portion of the journey outside the taxi area.

The driver has the option of using the taxi meter and charging a fare up to the total value of the meter at the end of the journey.

3. Operate outside the taxi area

The driver does not have to use the taxi meter.

The passenger may negotiate a fare before the start of the journey.

The driver has the option of using the taxi meter and charging a fare up to the total value of the meter at the end of the journey.

Your rights as a taxi driver

If you are a taxi driver you have the right to refuse service if:

• passengers are creating a nuisance, are aggressive or offensive
• they refuse to wear a seatbelt
• your passenger can't prove they can pay the correct fare.

You also have the right to charge passengers a $50 cleaning fee if they soil the taxi.

Your rights as a passenger

If you are a passenger travelling in a taxi you have the right to:

• a clean, safe taxi
• see the driver's ID
• a receipt at the end of your trip.

You should also tell the driver at the start of the trip if you:

• plan to use a Transport Subsidy Card
• need change for a $50 note or higher.

How your fare is calculated

If you need a taxi you will be charged different rates depending on the time of day, if it's a weekend or public holiday. Charges can vary depending on where you live in the Northern Territory.

If your journey involves multiple hirers with more than one drop-off point the driver will ask if you wish to split the fare. If you agree this means each passenger will only pay 75% of what the actual fare would have been if you travelled by yourself.

If you are travelling with a group of five or more people you will be charged a high occupancy tariff. There are two charges depending on what time and day of the week you are travelling.

If you travel 6pm to 6am Monday to Friday, on weekends or on public holidays the fare is increased.

Standard and high occupancy taxi tariffs

Darwin - standard and high occupancy taxi tariff charts (7.4 mb)

Katherine - standard and high occupancy taxi tariff charts (6.0 mb)

Gove - standard and high occupancy taxi tariff charts (6.1 mb)

Alice Springs - standard and high occupancy taxi tariff charts (8.9 mb)

Tennant Creek - standard taxi tariff chart (4.3 mb).