Commercial passenger vehicle drivers offering services at night are on notice to ‘lift their game’, after a compliance blitz found numerous vehicles not meeting CPV registration requirements.
ST Vic officers ran overnight patrols at Melbourne Airport, Crown Casino and other busy city locations in the lead up to the festive season holiday period, checking that drivers are accredited and that vehicles are correctly registered and properly maintained.
The blitz checked hundreds of drivers and vehicles and found many vehicles that don’t meet registration standards. Almost a hundred defect notices have been issued compelling vehicle owners to bring their vehicles up to the required standards.
Chris Banks, Executive Director – Safety Strategy and Regulation, Safe Transport Victoria, said the compliance blitz was about ensuring commercial passenger vehicles offer safe services to passengers.
“We’re serious about ensuring taxi and rideshare vehicles meet safety and accreditation standards,” said Chris. “The drivers we caught doing the wrong thing have been told to lift their game or face the consequences.”
Dozens of infringement notices and warnings were issued to drivers for a range of CPV accreditation offences.
Officers also detected a small number of unregistered commercial passenger vehicles, including previously registered taxis. Officers removed the taxi plates from the unregistered vehicles on the spot.
Drivers were also reminded they are legally obliged to use their meter when offering rank and hail services.
Chris emphasised that ST Vic regularly runs compliance operations, including outside normal business hours, to ensure CPV drivers meet accreditation and safety requirements.
“CPV drivers should remember ST Vic conducts targeted compliance operations at all hours of the day and night.”
