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Car Driver (VIC)

State/Territory Specific Information

Education and Training:

You can work as a car driver without formal qualifications but you will need to obtain a specific licence.

To become a taxi or hire car driver in country locations you must gain Commercial Passenger Vehicle and Bus Driver Accreditation. To apply for accreditation you must have held a full drivers licence for at least 12 months, supply a national police certificate and undergo a medical test.

To become a taxi or hire car driver in the metropolitan area, you must hold a Metropolitan Taxi and Hire Car Driver Accreditation. To apply for accreditation you must have held a full drivers licence for at least 12 months, supply a national police certificate and undergo a medical test. Once your application has been approved you must also pass an English literacy assessment and complete driver accreditation training with an approved training provider.

Driver accreditation training is delivered by Driver Education Centre of Australia, Cabways, Technical Advanced Training and Yellow Cabs (Vic). Contact the relevant organisation for more information.

Additional Information:

If you have held an open drivers licence for less than 12 months, you will need to undergo an independent driving assessment. Minimum age requirements may also apply.

Related Courses:

While the following courses are related to this occupation, they may not necessarily lead directly to employment, nor provide the most direct pathway to the occupation. Courses which provide preliminary or informal training, as well as those which provide additional job skills following initial qualifications may also be listed.

*Course is offered by more than one institution. Click link for details.

  1. Apply Fatigue Management Strategies (TLI Unit) *
  2. Apply Safe Driving Behaviours (TLI unit)
  3. Care for the Environment (TLI Unit)
  4. Carry out Inspection of Trailers (TLI Unit) *
  5. Carry out Vehicle Inspection (TLI Unit) *
  6. Coordinate Recovery of 4WD Vehicles (SIS Unit) *
  7. Drive a 4WD Vehicle in Difficult Terrain (SIS Unit) *
  8. Drive and Manoeuvre Trailers (AUR Unit)
  9. Drive and Recover a 4WD Vehicle (SIS Unit) *
  10. Drive Vehicle (TLI Unit)
  11. Follow Occupational Health and Safety Procedures (TLI Unit)
  12. Instruct Four Wheel Driving Skills (SIS Unit)
  13. Interpret Road Maps and Navigate Pre-Determined Routes (TLI Unit)
  14. Operate and Maintain a 4WD Tour Vehicle (SIT Unit)
  15. Operate and Maintain a Four Wheel Drive Vehicle (RII Unit) *
  16. Operate Four Wheel Drive Vehicle (TLI Unit) *
  17. Plan and Navigate Routes (TLI Unit)
  18. Provide Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Services to Passengers with Disabilities (TLI Unit)
  19. Route Planning (Training Program)
  20. Certificate II in Driving Operations *
  21. Certificate II in Driving Operations (09) *
  22. Certificate II in Transport and Logistics - Road Transport *
  23. Certificate III in Driving Operations (09) *
  24. Certificate III in Non-emergency Client Transport *

Employment Opportunities:

Chauffeurs/hire car drivers work for government departments, hotels and private hire car companies. Self-employed chauffeur/hire car drivers are often subcontracted to private companies.

Taxi drivers work for taxi companies or for themselves. Most taxi owners drive their own taxis and have drivers who drive the other available shifts. Taxi drivers usually pay the taxi owner a rental, which is calculated as a percentage of the fares received.

The demand for taxi services varies at different times of the day and throughout the year.

For Further Information:

Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council

Victorian Taxi Association

(03) 9676 2635

Victorian Taxi Directorate

1800 638 802

Information for other states and territories: