Taxi Licence Transition - FAQ's & Everything You Need to Know
Updated: Feb 1
Source - Point to Point Transport Commissioner
A message from Anthony Wing - Point to Point Transport Commissioner
In response to the Point to Point Independent Review in 2020, the Point to Point Transport (Taxis and Hire Vehicles) Amendment Act 2022 was passed on 17 November 2022. This Act provides a package of reforms to help the point to point transport industry provide more choice and availability of services for customers. A financial assistance scheme for eligible taxi licence owners has been announced along with a new licensing system.
Under the new laws, the person or company who operates the taxi service (taxi licence holder) will need to have a licence in their name and transition to a new (replacement) licence.The Point to Point Transport Commissioner will manage the transition to the new licensing framework for operators of a taxi service (taxi licence holders) and taxi licence owners. Transport for NSW will manage the financial assistance scheme for existing taxi licence owners.
Applications for both will be available from 1 February 2023.
This email provides important information on the taxi licence transition period, beginning 1 February. During this period, a person who operates a taxi service (taxi licence holder) can obtain a new (replacement) licence at no cost, it is a simple process to complete and they can keep their current number plate.
After the transition period, which is expected to run for approximately three months, any licences that have not been replaced will be cancelled, and anyone will be able to apply to the Point to Point Transport Commissioner for a taxi licence.
From 1 February 2023, taxi licences can no longer be transferred, traded or sold. Under the new licensing system, the person who operates the taxi will be the person who holds the taxi licence.
For information on the Financial Assistance Scheme, please go to Transport for NSW’s website on the reforms.
We ask that you share this information with your stakeholders who operate taxi services (taxi licence holders).
Refer to the below sections to learn more about Taxi Licence Transition
Frequently Asked Questions on Taxi Licence Transition (FAQ's)
Who is a Taxi Licence Holder?
Currently, a taxi licence holder is the person or corporation/ partnership who operates a taxi service, either using a licence they own or one they lease from someone else.
Under the new law, the taxi licence holder remains the person, corporation or partnership who operates the taxi service and their name will now appear on the licence.
Under the point to point transport law, taxi licence holders have safety obligations which they must comply with.
Who needs to know about the taxi licence reforms?
Under the new system, the person or company who operates the taxi service (taxi licence holder) will need to have a licence in their name and transition to a new (replacement) licence.
Taxi licence owners who lease out their licence, and taxi service providers should also be aware of the new licensing system.
If you currently own a licence and operate a taxi service (taxi licence holder), or lease a licence and operate a taxi service (taxi licence holder), and want to continue operating a taxi service, you will need to transition to a new (replacement) licence.
A transition period has been introduced , commencing 1 February 2023, to allow current operators of a taxi service (taxi licence holders) to transition to a new (replacement) licence. During this period, you can obtain a new (replacement) licence at no cost, it is a simple process to complete and you can keep your current number plate. The transition period will run for approximately three months.
If I operate a taxi service and do not own the licence, what do I need to do?
If you currently operate a taxi service (taxi licence holder) you will need to apply for a new (replacement) licence The new licence will replace the current licence you are operating under.
No application fee will apply during the transition period for eligible applicants. The existing taxi licence will remain valid while your application is being considered. This means the taxi can continue to operate under the existing licence while the new (replacement) licence is being issued. Existing conditions regarding areas of operation will need to be complied with during the transition period.
You will soon receive an email from the Point to Point Transport Commissioner with details on how to apply online and a unique reference number you will need to enter when applying.
You will need the following information when completing the online application:
the unique reference number included in your email from the Point to Point Transport Commissioner
certified copies of 100 points of ID (unless you have previously supplied this to the Commissioner)
the NSW taxi plate number of the taxi you are operating
the last 5 digits of your vehicles VIN
If you have any questions or require further clarification, please call our Industry Contact Centre on 131 727. The Commissioner’s team will continue to send communications and contact you throughout the process.
What happens to the previous licence?
Once your new (replacement) taxi licence has been granted the owner of the ‘old’ taxi licence will be notified within 21 days that their taxi licence has been transitioned to the new licensing framework, and the licence will be automatically cancelled by the new laws. Under the new licensing system, the person who operates the taxi will be the person who holds the taxi licence.
All taxi licences which are not transitioned (replaced) by the end of the transition period will be automatically cancelled by the new laws. The transition period is expected to run for approximately three months.
What about leasing arrangements?
If you currently lease a taxi licence and operate the taxi
If you currently lease a taxi licence and operate the taxi, you will need to apply for a new (replacement) licence during the transition period. Until you apply for and are issued a new (replacement) licence in your own name, you will need to continue to lease an existing taxi licence in order to operate a taxi service.
Any arrangements between you and the owner of the taxi licence – including lease fees – can continue unchanged until your new (replacement) licence is issued, at which time, the old licence will be cancelled. The owner of the taxi licence will be informed their licence has been cancelled when your new (replacement) licence is issued.
If you currently own a taxi licence and have a leasing agreement
If you currently own a taxi licence and have a leasing agreement, these arrangements can remain in place/unchanged until:
The person who is leasing a licence from you and operates a taxi service (taxi licence holder) has applied for and been granted a new (replacement) licence by the Commissioner under the new licencing system.
The existing taxi licence is then automatically cancelled by the new laws. You will receive notification of the cancellation from the Point to Point Transport Commissioner within 21 days.
Once your licence has been cancelled any existing arrangements will cease, as the licence is no longer valid.
The cancellation of your licence does not affect your eligibility for assistance under Transport for NSW’s Financial Assistance Scheme if you are entitled to assistance from Transport for NSW as a result of owning an eligible licence. Please go to their website for further information: Transport for NSW point to point reforms.
Can taxi licences be transferred after 1 February?
No. From 1 February 2023 taxi licences can no longer be transferred, traded or sold. Under the new licensing system, the person who operates the taxi will be the person who holds the taxi licence.
What if I operate a taxi but have the plates on hold at Service NSW?
Placing a taxi back into service remains unchanged during the transition period. A taxi service operator (taxi licence holder) who has an arrangement with a licence owner, may request a ‘plates off hold authorisation letter’ from their TSP at any time during the transition period. The Authorisation Letter provided by the TSP should be taken along with the vehicle to the Service NSW Service Centre where the plates are being stored, once there simply complete the vehicle registration application and register the taxi.
Please note taxi licences which are placed back into service during the transition period cannot be replaced with a new (replacement) licence, unless the holder of the licence is also the operator of the taxi service i.e., they operate the taxi themselves.
For all other taxi service operators (taxi licence holders), they can apply for a new (replacement) licence at the end of the transition period and an application fee of $200 will apply.
I am currently a taxi licence owner and want to continue operating a taxi service?
If you are an eligible taxi licence owner and want to operate a taxi service, you will need to hold a taxi licence at the start of the transition period on 1 February 2023.
This means, if you are not operating a taxi service with your taxi licence on 1 February 2023 you will not be able to transition to a new (replacement) licence, however you will be able to apply for a new taxi licence at the end of the transition period and an application fee of $200 will apply.
Do the conditions regarding areas of operation remain in place during the transition period?
Yes. New licences (replacement) are subject to the condition that during the transitional period, the taxi only be used to provide rank and hail taxi services within the area of operation as specified in the nominated existing taxi licence. At the end of the transitional period the area of operation will be removed, and the taxi will be able to operate anywhere in NSW.
I am a Wheelchair Accessible Taxi (WAT) licence holder, do I need to apply for a new (replacement) licence?
Yes, you will need to transition to the new licensing system and apply to the Commissioner. However, the existing WAT licence won’t be cancelled until the end of the transition period.
At the end of the transition period, any remaining ‘old’ licences, including WAT licences, will be cancelled.
What happens after the transition period has finished?
Under the new laws, taxi licences will be available from the Point to Point Transport Commissioner, to any person who intends to operate a taxi service, for an application fee of $200. All new taxi licences will be annually renewable and cannot be traded or leased.
Operating area restrictions will be lifted at the end of the transition period, and taxis will be able to provide services anywhere in NSW.
All operators providing a taxi service (taxi licence holders) will need to be connected to an authorised service provider or be an authorised service provider, prior to applying for a licence, and should be aware that they have safety obligations under the point to point transport law which the must comply with.
Where can I get help?
The Point to Point Transport Commission will support licence holders throughout the transition period through regular communications and educational resources available on the Commissioner’s website. Please visit our website regularly for updates and let us know if your contact details need updating by emailing p2pevents@transport.nsw.gov.au.
Join one of the Information Session and one on one support workshops by the Point to Point Transport Commissioner
The Commissioner’s team will also be holding a series of workshops to provide one on one support for taxi licence holders looking to gain further information and/or assistance.
During these workshops, Commissioner's team members will be available for one on one 15 minute sessions to assist with understanding how the changes affect individuals and how to transition to a new replacement licence.
To book a 15 minute session, please click on “Register” next to the location nearest you in the list below.
Goulburn - 1 February - Register
Wagga Wagga - 2 February - Register
Wollongong - 7 + 8 February - Register
Newcastle - 13 + 14 February - Register
Orange - 17 February - Register
Tamworth - 23 February - Register
Coffs Harbour - 24 February - Register
Please note: Metropolitan dates will be released shortly.
All events will be COVID safe. Social distancing guidelines will be followed and there will be hand sanitiser provided and masks available. Staff will be available for ad hoc walk-in appointments, however, in order to limit waiting and ensure access to staff, appointments are strongly encouraged.
We Thank the Point to Point Transport Commission for assisting us with the above information.