Small Charter Vehicle licences

Small Charter Vehicles (SCVs) are usually luxury passenger cars of a prescribed standard which can carry fewer than 12 passengers (with the exception of some stretched/modified vehicles). They must be used solely for charter, with journeys commencing within the Perth metropolitan area. There are no restrictions on the number of SCV licences that are granted.

• What is the difference between a Small Charter Vehicle and a normal taxi?
• Vehicle standards
• Further information

What is the difference between a Small Charter Vehicle and a normal taxi?

Small Charter Vehicles must satisfy certain criteria to gain a Small Charter licence. These vehicles:

• Must be are a higher class of vehicle than a normal taxi.
  
• Cannot operate from taxi ranks or tout roads/public places for business
  
• Must not display signage that resembles a taxi.
  
• Must be hired for a minimum of one hour. A two-tier fare structure applies.
  
• Must charge a minimum of $60 per hour for vehicles with five or less passenger seats.
  
• Must charge a minimum of $85 per hour for the first 2 hours after which $60 per hour can be charged if they have five or more passenger seats.
  
• Must not operate along routes with established pick-up and drop-off points and
  
• Must not operate off-road.

Vehicle standards

Vehicles must pass a visual and mechanical inspection at an Authorised Inspection Station or Vehicle Examination Centre.

Modified/stretched vehicles must be taken to the Technical Branch at Welshpool.

You can find the locations of these centres in the Licensing services section of this website. Vehicles will be issued with SCV plates which have red characters on a white background.

Non-standard vehicles

Any vehicles with features and modifications which are not standard to the Australian Design Rules will need to be assessed before being certified as road-worthy by the Vehicle Safety Branch. the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) set out national design standards for vehicle safety and emissions that all vehicles must comply with.

Once the Vehicle Safety Branch are satisfied that the vehicle is compliant and Passenger Services are satisfied that the vehicle meets the licensing criteria, the vehicle will be licensed as a Small Charter Vehicle.

Side facing seats

• This style of seat must meet national standards of safety in terms of construction and must be used in conjunction with an approved passenger restraint system.
• More information concerning these seats can be found in Vehicle Safety Bulletins 5B.
• The vehicle will not be licensed as a Small Charter Vehicle until the Vehicle Safety Branch is satisfied that the vehicle is safe.

Left-hand drive vehicles

• Left-hand drive vehicle less than 30 years of age will not be licensed to carry fare carrying passengers.
• Left hand drive vehicles less than 4.5 tonne and under 15 years of age generally need to be converted to right hand drive before they can be registered in Western Australia.
• In the event that a left hand drive vehicle is under 4.5 tonne, over 30 years of age, does not breech other relevant legislation, for example the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966, and has already passed the Vehicle Safety Branch inspections, Passenger Services may consider granting an Small Charter Vehcle licence.
  
  
  

 Further information

To apply for this type of licence, please complete the Omnibus licence application form.

• Contact us for more information.