Passenger service responsibilities include ensuring that drivers are licensed, are fit to drive, and follow traffic laws - most of which are explained in the Road code - and any local bylaws. Encouraging your drivers to regularly check their vehicles and report faults immediately, and manage their wellbeing will not only help to ensure their - and their passengers' - safety but also the smooth running of your business.
Legal responsibilities
Being licensed
Every driver of a passenger service vehicle must be licensed and hold a current and valid licence for the class of vehicle they are driving. They must also have a current and valid P (passenger) endorsement. Find out more about driver licences and P endorsements.
As a transport service licence holder, you can also access TORO (the Transport Organisation Register Online) to:
- check that those driving your vehicles are licensed to do so
- monitor your drivers' licence status.
Complying with traffic rules
Drivers are required to comply with the traffic rules, most of which are explained in the the Road code and local bylaws whenever they are driving.
A number of penalties apply to drivers found to be breaking the traffic rules, including vehicle impoundment.
Work time and logbooks
By law, drivers have a maximum number of hours they can work.
Find out more about work time and logbook requirements.
Driver responsibilities
Drivers have a number of responsibilities and obligations. These include:
Holding a correct and valid driver licence
Drivers need to have the correct driver licence and licence endorsement and renew their licence and/or endorsement on time (allowing enough time for us to process the renewals before their current licence and/or endorsement expire).
Being fit for duty
Drivers are responsible for coming to work 'fit for duty'. Factors that can affect wellbeing and fitness for work include:
- having a second job
- undertaking recreational and sporting activities
- not having enough sleep
- experiencing stressful situations
- consuming alcohol/other drugs or medication
- coping with the demands of family and relationships
- experiencing changes to their normal routines
- issues with their personal health.
Medical and health conditions can also affect the ability to think quickly and clearly. Find out more about medical requirements and fitness to drive.
Driving a safe vehicle
Drivers are responsible for checking their vehicles, making sure they are safe to use and reporting any faults to the fleet or vehicle controller.
Being a safe and courteous driver
As professionals, drivers should always:
- be safe and courteous
- obey the road rules
- understand that others make mistakes
- be tolerant
- set an example to others.
This also applies away from work.
Driving small passenger service vehicles
Drivers of small passenger service vehicles must meet a number of detailed requirements relating to:
- displaying their personal ID cards
- standards of duty and conduct
- transporting passengers' luggage
- picking up and setting down passengers.
Find out more.
Driving taxis
In some locations, taxi drivers are required to complete an area knowledge test and hold the appropriate certificate.
Find out more.
Checking vehicles before use
Drivers should do a simple pre-use 'walk-around' check before they drive any vehicle.
This will help to ensure that the vehicle is safe to operate and enable you to identify the need for, and schedule, repairs and maintenance - reducing the need to deal with unexpected breakdowns. That could also mean long-term savings for your business.
Read our guide to pre-use checks for heavy vehicles.
Reporting vehicle faults
Best practice fleet management includes a system for drivers to report any vehicle faults they find, and a process for advising drivers on what happens about the reported faults. Make sure you have a vehicle fault reporting and resolution system in your business.
Managing fatigue
Fatigue is identified as a hazard in the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
The Act defines a hazardous situation as:
- a situation where a person's behaviour may be an actual or potential cause or source of harm to the person or another person; and
- a situation described in (a) resulting from physical or mental fatigue, drugs, alcohol, traumatic shock, or another temporary condition that affects a person's behaviour.
Find out more about identifying and preventing driver fatigue.
Investing in driver training
No matter how sophisticated a vehicle's technology, driver behaviour is the most crucial factor in avoiding crashes.
You can improve safety for your drivers and other road users by investing in driver training - so they know how to use their vehicles, and have a good understanding of your expectations of their behaviour while driving.
Find out more about the driver training options available through Tranzqual, the training organisation for the road transport industry.
Ensuring workplace safety
Under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, a work-related vehicle is considered part of the workplace. This means that the health and safety rules applying to the workplace also apply to work-related motor vehicles.
See the Department of Labour's guide to the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992.
Find out more about
...the term 'hire and reward'.
Approved in-vehicle security camera systems
A number of in-vehicle security camera systems have been approved for the purpose of the Land Transport Rule: Operator Licensing 2007. Find our more at our page about approved in-vehicle security camera systems.
How we can help
Call our contact centre for advice on and help with complying with all transport-related rules, regulations, and vehicle standards and requirements.
