Safe travel in taxis and hire vehicles
Ensuring your safety
Under the point to point transport rules, service providers must ensure the health and safety of passengers, drivers and other persons.
The Point to Point Transport Commissioner oversees these rules and enforces safety standards. The Commission can conduct investigations and take action against service providers when necessary.
When you catch a taxi from a rank or hail one from the street, there is no pre-trip record of the driver, vehicle, or passenger. To ensure safety, taxis must have safety equipment, such as security cameras, and drivers must display an identity document.
Safe travel at night
Taxis are a safe option at night if your origin or destination is not near a stop or station. Use the Trip Planner to travel by taxi to and from late night bus stops to access services that operate after midnight.
Remember: only taxis have the necessary safety equipment to be hailed from the street or caught from a taxi rank.
Taxi fares are regulated by Transport for NSW. Taxi service providers can set their fares within these limits, as long as it is no more than the fares set by Transport for NSW. Service providers must display their fares clearly in the taxi and on their website, if available.
Reporting taxi issues
If you have recently experienced a taxi driver:
- refusing your fare
- not using a meter
- overcharging by demanding a set fare
Report it by calling the Point to Point Transport Commissioner’s 24-hour Taxi Fare Hotline on 1800 500 410.
When providing feedback, please have the following information ready:
- number plate
- date
- time
- location
- taxi company
This information will help ensure your call is referred to the right taxi company for immediate action.
Secure taxi ranks operate across NSW late every Friday and Saturday night. Guards at these ranks help ensure a safe environment for customers and taxi drivers. See find a secure taxi rank.
When travelling in a hire vehicle, such as a traditional hire car or rideshare service, it is important that you secure your booking before entering the vehicle.
Unlike taxis, hire vehicles are not required to have safety equipment, such as security cameras. Your booking will hold the information required to identify the vehicle you have booked and its driver.
Note that it is an offence to falsely represent that they are providing an authorised passenger service.