Types of commercial passenger vehicles

The following are types of commercial passenger vehicles (CPV) that can operate in the Northern Territory (NT).

Courtesy vehicles

A courtesy vehicle is offered as part of an agreement for the provision of accommodation or activities and provided to passengers without payment of a fare.

Drivers must hold a CPVID card and are not allowed to approach people to hire the vehicle or stand for hire.

Minibus

A minibus can carry between 9 and 15 passengers.

Operators must:

A minibus can stand for hire in minibus ranks.

A minibus can respond to hails. For example, if a customer waves you down from the footpath, you can pull over and pick that person up if it is safe to do so.

Motor omnibus

A motor omnibus is generally used for pre-booked charter work or as a route service bus. It can't stand or ply for hire and respond to hail and ride requests.

There are no restrictions to the types of vehicles proposed for use in the motor omnibus category.

When deciding the most appropriate vehicle type, operators should consider relevant factors such as:

  • the type of operation
  • passenger comfort
  • locations of use

Operators must comply with the passenger bus in-service vehicle maintenance standards PDF (764.6 KB).

Private hire car and limousines

Operators must comply with the:

A limousine can only be hired if it has been pre-booked.

A private hire car can only be hired if it has been pre-booked or hired from an approved private hire car rank.

The approved ranks are:

  • The arrival at any airport in the NT of passenger aircraft on international interstate or intra-Territory flights.
  • The arrival at any railway station or passenger terminal in the NT of the Ghan passenger train.
  • The event known as the V8 Super Cars, held at the Hidden Valley motor sports complex.
  • The Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine and Tennant Creek Shows at the show grounds.
  • Any international cricket match (one-day or test) sanctioned by the Australian Cricket Board held at the Marrara Sporting Complex.
  • Any horse race meeting which is part of or known as the Darwin Cup Carnival, sanctioned by the NT Racing Commission, held at the Fannie Bay race track.
  • Any horse race meeting which is part of or known as the Alice Springs Racing Carnival sanctioned by the NT Racing Commission, held at Pioneer Park race track.
  • The event known as Bass-in-the-Grass.
  • Any sporting event at the Marrara Sporting Complex where at least one team is an International representative team or an Australian National premier team.
  • Lasseters Hotel Casino Alice Springs and Mindil Beach Casino and Resort Darwin.
  • Any sporting event at the Anzac Oval or Trager Park where at least one team is an International representative team or an Australian National premier team.
  • Master’s Games opening and closing ceremonies.
  • The event known as Carols by Candlelight held at the Anzac Oval.
  • The event known as Govey’s Muster held at the RSL Club grounds.
  • The event known as Old Timer’s Fete held at Old Timer’s village.
  • Any major event held at Anzac Oval or Blatherskite Park.
  • The events listed on the Darwin Convention Centre website from time to time.
  • The Port of Darwin, Darwin Cruise Ship Terminal.

Private hire car drivers must only use an approved communications device. Drivers must return to an approved base when finishing each job.

Private hire car operators can display an approved 'VACANT' sign in or on their vehicles at airport ranks and railway stations in Darwin and Alice Springs only.

Operators have a choice of 2 custom-made signs:

  • black text on a white background or
  • white text on a black background.

Rideshare

A rideshare vehicle is an approved vehicle used to provide a transport service offered to passengers through an approved communications and dispatch service, which is generally through a smartphone application-based booking.

A rideshare driver can only accept bookings through an approved communications and dispatch network.

A vehicle used to perform ridesharing transport services must not display advertising which is likely to cause a reasonable person to believe the vehicle is available for hire or reward.

Rideshare drivers don't have to display their CPVID card. However, they must have it on them at all times when operating as a rideshare driver.

A rideshare vehicle must meet the ridesharing in-service maintenance standards PDF (967.4 KB).

Special function vehicle

A special function vehicle is of distinctive or unusual make, model or appearance.

A special function vehicle can only be hired if it is pre-booked or is for an approved event such as any of the following:

  • weddings
  • funerals
  • formal or graduation ceremonies
  • national significant events including Anzac Day.

Special function vehicles must meet the special function vehicle in-service maintenance standards PDF (750.6 KB).

Special passenger vehicle

A special passenger vehicle is operated for a purpose that does not fall into any other category of commercial passenger vehicle.

The proposed service and vehicle suitability will have to be individually assessed by the MVR, for example, modified vehicles, limited operating areas and times.

Drivers are not permitted to ask people to hire their vehicle or stand for hire. The vehicle must be returned to its base of operation when the journey is finished.

Taxi

A taxi is a vehicle that carries up to 15 passengers. It can stand for hire in designated taxi ranks and also respond to hails.

Taxis cannot operate within an area that is not specified in the taxi licence.

Taxis must have a certified meter, approved security camera system and braille labels fitted to the vehicle.

Operators must comply with the taxi in-service maintenance standards PDF (747.7 KB).

Tourist vehicle

A tourist vehicle is typically a four-wheel drive, van or motorcycle.

Tourist vehicles must operate in one of the following:

  • outside a council area for pre-arranged bookings
  • within a council area as part of a tour package
  • within a council area for a type of pre-approved tour.

More than one tourist vehicle can be registered under a commercial vehicle licence.

In the event of a breakdown while on tour, a vehicle of a similar type to the primary vehicle may be used for up to 4 days only to complete the tour.

Tourist vehicle operators must not:

  • do airport transfers unless it's a part of the overall tour package
  • conduct or advertise tours for a fare calculated by distance.

Operators must comply with the tourist vehicle in-service maintenance standards PDF (880.3 KB).

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