Independent driving assessment criteria
People applying for a Driver Accreditation to drive a taxi or hire car in the Melbourne
Metropolitan Taxi Zone need to successfully complete the independent driving assessment.
Effective 31 August 2009, applicants who have held a Victorian Driver Licence for less than 12 months must write a letter to the Victorian Taxi Directorate (VTD) to support their driver accreditation application. The VTD will contact the applicant to arrange an appointment to discuss their application. The applicant will then be required to successfully complete the Independent Driving Assessment.
The independent assessment of applicants' driving skills needs to be conducted by a qualified assessor in a typical taxi vehicle on a route with certain characteristics. The assessor needs to complete a Driving Assessment Report form, available by contacting the Victorian Taxi Directorate.
Assessor qualifications
Assessors must:
- Be qualified to at least Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training.
- Be qualified to at least Certificate III in Road Transport (Motor Vehicle Driving Instruction).
- Be the current holder of:
- A Driving Instructor Authority issued by the Victorian Taxi Directorate
or
- An Authorised Testing Officer Certificate issued by VicRoads for heavy vehicle Driver's Licence tests.
- Hold or be covered by professional indemnity and public liability insurance to the value of at least $5 million.
Assessment vehicle
The vehicle used in the driving assessment must be typical of the type used in the taxi industry, for example, Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore, Toyota Camry, Mitsubishi Magna and similar size cars.
Assessment in a vehicle with automatic transmission is allowed.
Assessment route
The driving assessment must be conducted 'on road' for at least 45 minutes. The route must include the Melbourne central business district (including hook turns), tram routes and freeways.
Proof of identity
Assessors must verify the identity of the driver by sighting the driver's current Victorian Driver's Licence.
Further information
For further information,
contact the Victorian Taxi Directorate.