Taxi bailment
New Laws – Taxi Service Bailment Agreements
From 1 September 2011, new laws will take effect that will provide benefits to both operators and drivers with regard to their commercial agreements.
The new laws will require all taxi service bailment agreements between operators and drivers to be in writing, signed and to include certain information about the agreement such as the payment arrangements, insurance coverage and details about the parties including names and addresses and accreditation and authorisation details.
Importantly, the new laws also provide greater protection to new and inexperienced drivers by restricting set pay-in arrangements to only drivers who have held Queensland taxi driver authorisation for at least 12 months.
The following information explains the new laws and provides additional information to assist operators and drivers in understanding what it means for them.
The Model Taxi Service Bailment Agreement has been developed by the Taxi Industry Health and Safety Committee. It may be used for bailment agreements or as a guide for operators and drivers. Operators and drivers are able to develop their own taxi service bailment agreement that differs from the model, as long as the bailment agreement includes the requirements outlined in the new laws.
The introduction of these new laws is one of 47 actions outlined in the Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010–2015 that seeks to deliver improvements to users of taxi services and those who work within the taxi industry over the next five years. The introduction of the new laws regarding taxi service bailment agreements is action 11.3 of the Queensland Taxi Strategic Plan 2010–2015.
For further information about taxi service bailment agreements you can contact the Taxi and Limousine Regulation Unit on 3167 4375 or by email: taxi@translink.com.au
