Unbooked Commercial Passenger Vehicles in Victoria (such as taxis) must have an approved security camera system and approved audio recording device installed. These devices record both video and audio of people when they are inside the vehicle, and entering and leaving the vehicle, whenever the vehicle is providing a service.

These recordings are made for the purpose of supporting passenger safety and addressing driver misconduct. Learn more information about the reforms which introduced and updated these requirements.

This page gives you information on how the recordings made of you while you travel as a passenger in a Commercial Passenger Vehicle are managed.

Who will hold the recordings?

The Booking Service Provider is responsible for securely holding and managing the audio and video recordings. If you booked the vehicle, the Booking Service Provider is the company you made the booking with. If you did not book the vehicle (for example, you hailed it at a taxi rank), you can identify the Booking Service Provider by the sign or label on the vehicle, or by asking the driver.

What requirements does the Booking Service Provider need to follow in relation to the recordings?

The Booking Service Provider must comply with the Minimum Standards for protection of security camera system and audio recording device data in commercial passenger vehicles.

These Minimum Standards describe:

  • the legal basis for the Minimum Standards and the requirement for video and audio recording in Commercial Passenger Vehicles;
  • the purposes for which a Booking Service Provider may access the video and audio recordings;
  • how a Booking Service Provider must keep the video and audio recording secure; and
  • what records the Booking Service Provider must keep.

When may the recordings be accessed?

The Booking Service Provider may only access recordings for a purpose described in the Minimum Standards. These include:

  • if you make a complaint about the service you have received from the driver of the vehicle, the Booking Service Provider may access the video or audio recording to investigate the complaint;
  • the Booking Service Provider may also provide the video or audio recordings to Safe Transport Victoria or Victoria Police if they need them for a purpose permitted by law, such as investigating an alleged offence; and
  • the Booking Service Provider may also access a recording for any other purpose required by law, or by an order of a court or tribunal, or authorised in writing by Safe Transport Victoria.

Will the Booking Service Provider give access to the recordings to anyone else?

A Booking Service Provider may only provide access to the recordings or copies of the recordings to another person or organisation where the Minimum Standards allow them to. This includes Victoria Police, Safe Transport Victoria, and another person or organisation named in a court or tribunal order.

What do I do if I have any other questions?

If you have questions or concerns about being recorded when you are travelling in a Commercial Passenger Vehicle, or on how your recordings may be used or disclosed, please contact the Booking Service Provider or Safe Transport Victoria.