About passenger transport driver authorisations

What is driver authorisation?

A driver authorisation is a qualification required by drivers of motor vehicles used to provide a particular public passenger service.

The purpose of driver authorisation is to maximise public confidence in relation to the drivers of public passenger vehicles. This purpose includes ensuring drivers of public passenger vehicles are suitable persons, having regard to the safety of children and other vulnerable members of the community, the personal safety of passengers and their property, public safety and the reputation of public passenger transport.

Classes of driver authorisation

A driver must hold a DA that authorises the holder for the kind of public passenger service being provided.

From 1 September 2018 there are 3 types of driver authorisation:

1. Booked Hire/Taxi driver authorisation, which authorises the holder to drive a vehicle being used to provide any kind of public passenger service for which driver authorisation is required. Required by drivers of taxi and booked hire services (including services provided under a limousine licence). Holders of Booked Hire/Taxi driver authorisation are automatically authorised to provide services under General DA.
2. General driver authorisation, which authorises the holder to drive a vehicle being used to provide any public passenger service other than a booked hire service or a taxi service.
3. Restricted driver authorisation, issued by community or courtesy transport operator to provide community or courtesy transport services for the operator. 

Holders of driver authorisation issued prior to 1 September 2018 are automatically transferred to the new driver authorisation category as set out below and their driver authorisation card will be updated to reflect this when they renew it.

For more information about each class of driver authorisation including application and fee requirements please read the information bulletin.

Checking currency and class of driver authorisation

The Driver Authorisation Public Register, previously known as the Passenger Transport Driver Authorisation System (PTDAS), is a free online service that allows the currency and classes of driver authorisation to be checked.

The register does not contain any personal information and only confirms the currency and classes of a driver authorisation number.

The currency of a driver authorisation can be checked on the Driver Authorisation Public Register.

More information

For further information concerning driver authorisations, click on the links below or contact your nearest passenger transport office.

• Application forms
• Criminal history checks
• Fees
• Information bulletins
• Medical requirements
• Traffic history checks