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Luxury Hire Cars Information Sheet

What You Will Find In This Information Sheet

1. General Information

Under the Taxi And Luxury Hire Car Industries Act 1995, the Transport Commission can issue licences for the operation of luxury hire cars. There is no limit on the number of luxury hire car licences available for issue, and unless otherwise restricted by conditions, licences enable operation on a Statewide basis.

2. About The Vehicle

a. Is my vehicle a Luxury Hire Car?

To be a luxury hire car, your vehicle must hold a Luxury Hire Car licence. To be eligible to be licensed as a Luxury Hire Car, your vehicle must be of a make and model prescribed in legislation (see section 2c) and comply with the Luxury Hire Car Inspection Guidelines (see section 5b).

b. What work can my Luxury Hire Car undertake?

Your Luxury Hire Car can undertake any pre-booked hirings of the vehicle with driver, including pre-booked tours. However, Luxury Hire Cars cannot stand or ply for hire on a taxi zone or in a public street.

As an example, a Luxury Hire Car can be pre-booked by phone to pick up a person from a particular location such as a hotel or private dwelling for transport to the local airport. Once the passenger has disembarked, the Luxury Hire Car would need to return to base until another booking is received, or await dispatch to another pre-booked job.

A Luxury Hire Car cannot stand on an airport taxi zone or in other on-street parking areas in order to obtain an "off the street" return fare.

Luxury Hire Car licences enable vehicles to operate on a Statewide basis, unless otherwise restricted by conditions on the licence.

c. What makes and models can I licence as a Luxury Hire Car?

Certain makes and models of vehicles may be licensed as luxury hire cars, provided they are maintained in an appropriate condition. The following shows acceptable luxury vehicles, together with the maximum age under which the vehicle may continue to hold such status (Schedule 5 of the Taxi and Luxury Hire Car Industries Act 1995).

Vehicle

Maximum Age
Group 1

Ford Fairlane Ghia
Ford LTD
Holden Caprice
Holden Statesman
Mazda 929
Volvo 960, S90, V90

 


7 years
Group 1A

Stretched or modified versions of Group 1 vehicles

 

12 years
Group 2

BMW Series 7
Cadillac
Daimler
Jaguar
Mercedes Series 230 and above
Toyota Lexus LS400

 

 

15 years
Group 2A

Stretched or modified versions of Group 2 vehicles


No specific age limit provided the vehicle is maintained in a condition commensurate with luxury status.
Group 3

Bentley
Rolls Royce


No specific age limit provided the vehicle is maintained in a condition commensurate with luxury status.

In addition to the vehicles shown in the above table, the Transport Commission may determine that a vehicle that is not listed is a luxury vehicle (see section 2(e) below.

The above list of luxury vehicles is not intended to be exhaustive. There will be other makes and models of vehicles that are of equivalent luxury status. Also, new makes and models are periodically released onto the market.

d. What if my Luxury Hire Car is beyond the age limits?

If your Luxury Hire Car is above the maximum ages specified in legislation (see Schedule 5), you may be able to be issued a conditional licence enabling your vehicle to be used as:

  • a Luxury Hire Car in an area other than the urban areas of Burnie, Hobart, Launceston or Devonport as defined in legislation; or
  • a Public Passenger Vehicle on Limited Passenger Services (see the Public Passenger Vehicles Information Sheet).
e. Can my vehicle be declared to be Luxury Status when it is not prescribed as such?

Yes, legislation allows the Transport Commission to determine that a vehicle not described in Schedule 5 is a luxury vehicle.  New and revised models of luxury vehicles are periodically released to the market, which may be used under a luxury hire car licence.

The Transport Commission must also determine the category (or group) into which the vehicle will be placed. The vehicle is then subject to all limitations and restrictions relating to that group.  Your vehicle will then be listed in this group by make and model. That is, if a make/model is approved for one applicant it will be deemed to be approved for any other applicant provided the vehicle meets inspection guidelines and age limits.

The process for determining Luxury Hire Car status for a vehicle not in Schedule 5 is as follows:

  • Apply in writing to the Transport Commission. The application must provide full details of the subject vehicle;
  • Arrange for the vehicle to be available for inspection if requested by the Commission;
  • The inspection must be performed by an Approved Inspection Station in the relevant region;
  • You will be notified of the decision in writing; and
  • If the vehicle make/model is determined to be luxury status the details will be added to Schedule 5.

3. Licensing

a. Can I apply for a new Luxury Hire Car Licence?

Yes, if you are the registered owner of an appropriate vehicle, or authorised by the registered owner of the vehicle, you may apply for a licence to operate that vehicle as a Luxury Hire Car.  You will need to fill out the appropriate form and pay the relevant fees (see section 6a).

A Luxury Hire Car licence is issued in the form of a certificate. It will contain your name and address, your licence number, the registration number of the licensed vehicle and any conditions that might apply.

You will also be issued with a licence plate to be attached adjacent to the front number plate of the vehicle.

b. Can my Luxury Hire Car Licence be transferred to other persons?

Yes, Luxury Hire Car licences can be transferred from one person to another. You will need to fill out the appropriate form and pay the relevant fee and stamp duty (see section 6b).

The Transport Commission cannot refuse to transfer a Luxury Hire Car licence if it is satisfied that the vehicle concerned is a luxury vehicle, and that the proposed operator is accredited to operate public passenger vehicle services.

c. Can my Luxury Hire Car Licence be transferred between vehicles?

Yes, you may, on a permanent or temporary basis, transfer a licence from one vehicle to another. You will need to fill out the appropriate form and pay the relevant fee (see section 6b).

The licensee must demonstrate that the new licensed vehicle is a luxury vehicle in accordance with legislation. This is done by providing a valid inspection certificate issued by an Approved Inspection Station.

d. Permits of Substitution

A separate permit of substitution system - as used by taxis - is not required for Luxury Hire Cars as the transfer of a licence from one vehicle to another can be on a permanent or temporary basis.

4. Accreditation

Am I required to be accredited to operate a Luxury Hire Car?

Yes, generally anyone who operates a Luxury Hire Car must be accredited.

For further information on operator accreditation, please refer to the Public Passenger Vehicle Operator Accreditation Information Sheet.

5. Inspections

a. Does my Luxury Hire Car need to be inspected regularly?

Yes, Luxury Hire Cars are inspected every 6 months. Vehicle inspections are carried out by Approved Inspection Stations.  A full listing of Stations can be found at the following link - www.transport.tas.gov.au/standards

Following inspection, the vehicle examiner will affix an inspection label to the vehicle which shows the month and year of the next scheduled inspection.  Inspection reminder notices are not sent to operators.

Section 5b outlines the inspection requirements that must be met for a vehicle to be eligible to either become licensed, or to remain licensed, as a Luxury Hire Car.

b. What are the Luxury Hire Car Inspection Guidelines?

The Luxury Hire Car Inspection Guidelines (below) detail what is required for a vehicle to be of a standard or condition that is commensurate with luxury status.

Roadworthiness

  • Luxury Hire Cars are to be subjected to roadworthiness assessments according to the standard guidelines applied to any Public Passenger Vehicle. There are no specific roadworthiness items unique to Luxury Hire Cars.

Exterior

  • A Luxury Hire Car must be maintained in a high state of cosmetic appearance. Paintwork must be well maintained and no body damage is to be evident.

Luggage Compartment

  • The luggage compartment of a Luxury Hire Car must be clean and tidy and suitably lined to ensure personal baggage will not be damaged or soiled.
  • Spare wheels are to be secured and the tyre must be inflated and comply with vehicle standards requirements.
  • Additional tools and equipment should be suitably stowed, and not be able to come into contact with passenger luggage.
  • Weather seals around the luggage compartment aperture are to be in a good condition and be capable of preventing ingress of dust, fumes and water.

Upholstery

  • A Luxury Hire Car must be upholstered in either leather or high quality cloth as originally provided by the manufacturer.
  • Interiors may be re-upholstered to at least the standard originally provided or better. That is, seats may be re-covered with a suitable high quality cloth or may be upgraded to leather. Vinyl covered seats are not acceptable.
  • Upholstery is to be maintained in a clean, undamaged condition, with no cuts, tears, stains or burns evident.
  • Removable seat covers, other than high quality fitted lambs wool covers, are not permitted in Luxury Hire Cars.

Floor Coverings

  • Are to be high class fabric (carpet) coverings. Rubber mats are not acceptable other than in the driver’s footwell. Floor coverings are to be maintained in a clean undamaged condition, with no cuts, tears, stains or burns evident.

Luxury Equipment

  • All equipment originally fitted for the comfort of passengers must be maintained in operational order in keeping with the manufacturer’s luxury standard. This does not prevent equipment from being replaced by items of a higher standard than original (eg replacing a stereo cassette player with a CD / DVD player).

Heating/Ventilation

  • A Luxury Hire Car must have either separate heating and airconditioning equipment or be fully climate controlled. Equipment is to be maintained in a fully operational condition. If separate adjusting controls are provided for rear seat passengers, they must continue to be operational.

Seat Belts

  • Vehicles that were manufactured to comply with Australian Design Rules (ADRs) must continue to comply with those rules. That is, seat belts may only be replaced by the type originally fitted (eg inertia reel for inertia reel) or by equipment of a higher standard (eg inertia reel instead of lapsash).
  • Pre-ADR vehicles must be fitted with at least the minimum standard of lapsash seat belts on all outer seating positions and lap belts on centre positions. (Inertia reel belts are preferred and recommended due to their inherent "self-adjusting" feature.)

Stretched or Modified Vehicles

  • Stretched or modified versions of Group 1 and Group 2 vehicles (see Schedule 5) can have an extended life as a Luxury Hire Car.
  • To be classified as a stretched or modified vehicle, the vehicle needs to have been substantially altered either by extending the vehicle’s wheelbase by in excess of 300mm of the manufacturer’s original specifications, or by the vehicle being substantially rebuilt to be fitted out as a luxury standard vehicle.
  • Before you acquire or modify a vehicle for the purpose of classifying it as a Group 1A or Group 2A vehicle (see Schedule 5), you should first consult with the Transport Operator Accreditation Section of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources to obtain advice as to the suitability of the vehicle.
6. Application Forms/Fees

a. New Luxury Hire Car Licences

  • Application forms are available through the following link  - http://www.transport.tas.gov.au/operator_forms - or from Service Tasmania shops.
  • Completed application forms should be returned to a Service Tasmania shop or the Transport Operator Accreditation section of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources at GPO Box 936, Hobart 7001.
  • You must attach to your application a copy of your Luxury Hire Car inspection certificate from an Approved Inspection Station, which verifies that the vehicle is a luxury vehicle in accordance with legislation and the inspection guidelines for Luxury Hire Cars (see section 5b).
  • A licence fee of $5 000 is payable.  Licences are available at any time.
b. Transfer of Luxury Hire Car Licences
  • Application forms are available through the following link  - www.transport.tas.gov.au/operator_forms - or from Service Tasmania shops.
  • Completed application forms should be returned to a Service Tasmania shop.
  • If you are transferring the licence to another vehicle:
  • you must attach to your application a copy of the Luxury Hire Car inspection certificate from an Approved  Inspection Station, which verifies that the proposed  vehicle is a luxury vehicle in accordance with legislation and the inspection guidelines for Luxury Hire Cars (see section 5b);
  • you are responsible for transferring the plate from the old vehicle to the new vehicle;
  • a transfer fee must be submitted with the application.
  • If you are transferring the ownership of the licence to another person:
  • the old licence certificate must be surrendered and cancelled. A new licence certificate in the name of the new owner will be issued. The seller is responsible for providing the purchaser with the licence plate;
  • the licence transfer must be assessed by the State Revenue Office (SRO) for any stamp duty payable on its transfer. You may send or personally take, the transfer form direct to the SRO or to the Transport Operator Accreditation section of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources. The SRO is located at 80 Elizabeth Street, Hobart, telephone (03) 6233 2144.
  • The transfer of ownership will not be effected until any stamp duty assessed as being payable is paid.
  • a transfer fee must be submitted with the application.
  • All fees applicable can be found at the following link - www.transport.tas.gov.au/fees
7. Like Further Information?

This paper is one in a series of Information Sheets that provide further detail on a range of public passenger vehicle and accreditation matters. This information can be accessed from the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources’ public website at www.dier.tas.gov.au. Copies of the Information Sheets are available from Service Tasmania shops or by contacting the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources’ Telephone Enquiry Service on 131105.

Other Information Sheets available are:

More detailed information on the legislation relevant to Luxury Hire Cars (listed below) can be found on the legislation website www.thelaw.tas.gov.au or you can obtain a copy from the Printing Authority Bookshop 123 Collins Street, Hobart TAS 7000, Telephone (03) 6233 3289.