Department Of Transport - Victorian Taxi Directorate

Department of Transport
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TAXIS (WATs)
REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
DECEMBER 2010
PO Box 2797
Melbourne, Victoria 3001
Telephone: (03) 9655 6666
Facsimile: (03) 9095 4096
www.taxi.vic.gov.au
The information below sets out requirements for vehicles being registered as wheelchair
accessible taxis (WATs).
Metropolitan and Outer-Suburban Zone WATs can only be registered at either the VicRoads
Registration and Licensing office at 459 Lygon Street, Carlton or Road Safety Inspections
office at 433 Williamstown Rd, Port Melbourne.
Appointments must be made. To contact VicRoads, please telephone 131171 or to contact
Road Safety Inspections please telephone 9646 3362.
Vehicles must meet all applicable WAT and registration requirements. Please refer to the
Specifications for Taxis dated 24 May 2007 as well as WAT Information Sheets issued
September 2010.
Vehicles which do not meet all requirements will not be registered.
The procedures for registering a vehicle as a WAT follow:
• the vehicle must be finished in the VTD approved livery (Victorian Taxi Yellow with all
approved decals) (Note: painting of internal surfaces in WATs, including around door
seals and door pillars, is not mandatory for ‘van’ type WATs. People mover type WATs
e.g. Toyota Tarago should be treated the same as a sedan for painting purposes.
Bumper bars
Bumper bars on WATs must be painted in Victorian Taxi Yellow. The only exception is if
the bumper bar is not an integral part of the bodywork. Bumper bars on current shape
(3/2005 and later model) Toyota Hiace WATs must be painted.
• the vehicle must be fitted with all taxi equipment, including VTD approved domelight,
taximeter, not for hire sign and VTD approved taxi safety camera/s. In the case of a taxi
driver protection screen (currently metropolitan, outer suburban & Geelong only) the
owner must produce proof of purchase of a VTD approved screen if there is a VTD
approved screen for that make/model. The taximeter must be sealed and meter test label
attached to the windscreen.
• a current road worthy certificate must be obtained from a Licensed Taxi Tester (LTT)
after the vehicle has been fully fitted with all taxi equipment – a LTT inspection label
must be attached to the windscreen.

� WAT Licence Holders must contact the VTD 3-5 business days before their registration
appointment and obtain an “authority to register” to enable the registration process to
occur.
Licence Holders need to have the following items when presenting vehicles for registration as
a taxi:
� proof of identity (driver’s licence)
� proof of ownership of the vehicle (for example, receipt, bill of sale, registration
certificate)
� a current roadworthy certificate from a Licensed Taxi Tester
� a public weigh bridge certificate confirming the vehicle's tare mass after all taxi and
wheelchair equipment has been installed into the vehicle. The tare mass listed on the
weigh bridge certificate should not be greater than that listed on the VASS approval
certificate
NOTE: the tare mass of a vehicle is the mass of the vehicle ready for use, unoccupied
and unladen, with all standard equipment and options fitted (this includes items such
as gas tank, hoist, ramp etc), with all fluid reservoirs filled to nominal capacity and 10
litres of fuel
� proof of previous registration for any second hand vehicle
� evidence of compliance with Australian Design Rules (ADR’s), if the vehicle:
- is imported
- does not have a compliance plate attached and there is no proof of previous
registration in Australia, or
- has been mechanically or structurally modified, including conversions to
accommodate wheelchairs.
Evidence must be in the form of a VASS certificate from an authorised person to
ensure all work, including any modification, has been correctly carried out and to
certify that the vehicle continues to comply with the applicable standards. A list of
VASS signatories can be obtained from VicRoads (Tel: 03 9854 2666) or from the
VicRoads website at: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
Vehicles must be registered in the name of the licence holder being an individual name or an
Incorporated Body. If the vehicle is to be registered in the name of an Incorporated Body, a
letter signed by the Director/s on company letterhead authorising vehicle registration (include
vehicle details such as engine number, make/model) and a certificate of Incorporation is
required.
If a person other than the licence holder is to register the vehicle, authorisation in writing is
required from the licence holder. This authorisation letter should include the name and
address and driver licence number of the agent together with the registration number (if
known) and other vehicle details of the vehicle presented for registration.
Enquiries can be directed to the Victorian Taxi Directorate on telephone 1800 638 802.
Engineering enquiries should be directed to VicRoads Vehicle Safety Standards on telephone
9854 2666.
Victorian Taxi Directorate
Department of Transport