Table of Contents
- Your Rights as a Taxi Passenger
- Identifying Authorised Taxis and Licensed Drivers
- Essential Perth Taxi Safety Tips
- Understanding Fares, Receipts and Disputing Charges
- How to Report a Taxi Driver or Safety Concern in Perth
- What to Do If You Leave Something in a Taxi
- Accessibility, Assistance Animals and Special Needs
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: October 11, 2026
Your Rights as a Taxi Passenger
As a taxi passenger, you have fundamental taxi safety passenger rights protecting your safety, privacy, and financial interests. These rights begin the moment you engage a service and extend through to dispute resolution if something goes wrong.
Taxi passenger rights in Australia are governed by consumer protection laws and industry-specific regulations. The Australian Consumer Law protects you against unfair contract terms, misleading conduct, and unsafe services.
You also have rights around privacy, accessibility, and complaint resolution. If your experience falls short, whether due to unsafe driving, fare disputes, or discrimination, you have clear pathways to report concerns.
Identifying Authorised Taxis and Licensed Drivers
How to verify a taxi is authorised
An authorised taxi operates under a valid licence issued by the relevant transport regulator. Before entering any taxi, look for a visible licence plate on the rear bumper displaying the operator’s name and licence number, plus the vehicle’s registration and authorised provider’s details.
Ask the driver for identification: a licensed driver carries a current driver’s licence and an accreditation card issued by the transport authority. Check that the driver’s name and vehicle registration match your booking confirmation.
Booking through official taxi apps or phone numbers ensures legitimacy. Universal Cabs operates 24/7 across Perth and surrounding suburbs with fully licensed drivers and regularly inspected vehicles.
Driver screening and background checks
Licensed taxi drivers undergo rigorous screening before operating. They must hold a current, valid driver’s licence with no disqualifications, and pass criminal record checks screening for serious offences that would make them unsuitable for passenger transport.
Medical fitness assessments are also required, covering vision, hearing, and general health. Drivers with certain conditions must obtain clearance, and some conditions may result in restrictions or disqualification.
You can verify a driver’s status through the transport regulator’s online system or by contacting the taxi service directly. When booking with Universal Cabs, every driver has passed current background checks and medical assessments.
Essential Perth Taxi Safety Tips
Before you book
Start your safety preparation before contacting a taxi service. Share your trip details with a trusted friend or family member: where you’re going, which service you’ve booked, and your estimated arrival time.
Book through official channels, using the taxi service’s app or phone number rather than unofficial third-party platforms. When the driver arrives, verify the vehicle registration and driver identification match your booking before entering.
For airport transfers and late-night journeys, pre-booking is safer than hailing a cab on the street.
During your trip
Understanding taxi safety passenger rights helps you stay alert once in the taxi. If the route seems unusually long, politely ask the driver to explain or request a different route. Keep your phone charged and accessible, and contact someone if you feel uncomfortable.
Sit in the back seat and avoid distracting the driver. Ensure luggage is secured so it won’t obstruct the driver’s vision or create safety hazards.
Note the driver’s name, vehicle registration, and route taken. These records are valuable if you need to dispute a fare or report an incident.
What to do if you feel unsafe
If you feel unsafe during a taxi ride, trust your instincts.
Report the incident to the taxi service immediately with the driver’s name, vehicle registration, date, time, and specific details. Document everything: photograph the vehicle registration, note exact times, and write your account while details are fresh.
If the driver engaged in dangerous driving, assault, harassment, or other criminal conduct, contact police on 131 444 (non-emergency) or 000 (emergency). You can also lodge a formal complaint with the transport regulator, which can suspend or cancel licences for serious breaches.
Understanding Fares, Receipts and Disputing Charges
Fare transparency and estimates
Transparent fares are a cornerstone of passenger rights. Before your journey begins, you’re entitled to know how the fare is calculated.
Some services offer fixed fares for common routes; airport transfers often have set prices regardless of traffic. Request a fare estimate before booking. Universal Cabs guarantees transparent, consistent pricing without hidden spikes for day, night, or airport trips.
Request a receipt at the end of every trip showing the date, time, distance travelled, fare charged, and any additional charges like tolls or waiting time. Keep receipts for at least 30 days to dispute charges if needed; digital receipts are equally valid.
Tolls and additional charges
Tolls are legitimate charges passed on to passengers. If your route includes toll roads, the cost is added to your fare, and the driver should inform you before or as they’re incurred. Check your receipt to confirm tolls are itemised accurately.
Waiting time charges may apply if the driver waits for you. Rates are regulated and should be disclosed upfront, so confirm the rate before asking the driver to wait.
Surcharges for additional passengers, luggage, or special services (like wheelchair assistance) should be clearly disclosed before the trip. These charges are regulated and must be reasonable and transparent.
How to dispute a fare or overcharge
If you believe you’ve been overcharged, act quickly.
If the service doesn’t resolve your dispute satisfactorily, lodge a formal complaint with the transport regulator. You’ll need to provide your receipt, trip details, and evidence of your attempt to resolve the matter with the service.
For persistent issues with a particular service, consider switching to a more reliable operator. Universal Cabs maintains transparent pricing, and our commitment to consistent pricing means you won’t experience unexpected fare spikes.
How to Report a Taxi Driver or Safety Concern in Perth
Reporting to the transport regulator
The transport regulator oversees taxi licensing, driver conduct, and service standards. If you’ve experienced unsafe driving, harassment, discrimination, or other serious misconduct, lodge a formal complaint with the regulator.
Provide detailed information: the driver’s name and vehicle registration, date and time of the incident, specific details of what occurred, and the impact on you. Include any evidence, dashcam footage, photos, witness contact details.
Complaints to the regulator are recorded and tracked. If multiple complaints are filed against the same driver, patterns of misconduct become evident and trigger formal investigations. Your complaint contributes to a safety system that protects all passengers.
Reporting to the taxi service
Most taxi services have internal complaint procedures. Contact the service directly with your complaint, providing the same detailed information: driver name, vehicle registration, date, time, and specific details. Request a written response within a reasonable timeframe, typically 7 to 14 days.
Document the service’s response. If they deny your complaint or fail to respond, escalate to the transport regulator. Services that ignore complaints or fail to investigate properly can face regulatory action themselves.
When to contact police
Contact police if the driver’s conduct constitutes a crime: assault, sexual harassment, theft, dangerous driving, or threats. Call 000 for emergencies or 131 444 for non-emergency matters. Provide police with the same detailed information and any evidence you have.
Police can investigate criminal conduct and pursue charges if warranted. A criminal investigation is separate from regulatory action, the driver may face both police prosecution and loss of their taxi licence.
What to Do If You Leave Something in a Taxi
Items left in taxis are surprisingly common. If you’ve left something behind, act immediately.
Most taxi services have lost property procedures. They’ll contact the driver, who may still have the item if they haven’t completed subsequent trips. Items are typically held for 30 days.
If the service can’t locate your item, ask whether they have dashcam footage from your trip. Footage can sometimes confirm whether you had the item when you exited.
For valuable items, consider offering a reward for return. Universal Cabs works actively to return items to passengers.
Accessibility, Assistance Animals and Special Needs
Passengers with disabilities have the right to accessible, non-discriminatory taxi services. Drivers must accommodate assistance animals, guide dogs, hearing dogs, and other trained animals, at no extra charge.
If you use a wheelchair, you’re entitled to accessible vehicles equipped with ramps or lifts. Drivers must allow time for you to board safely and assist if needed. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles should not charge extra for accessibility features, these are standard inclusions.
For passengers with mobility, hearing, or vision impairments, communicate your needs clearly when booking. Specify whether you need a driver to assist you, whether you have an assistance animal, or whether you need extra time for boarding.
Universal Cabs operates a diverse fleet including wheelchair-accessible vehicles and Maxi Taxis for group travel. Our drivers are trained to assist passengers with mobility needs and to welcome assistance animals.
Taxi safety and passenger rights are interconnected, knowing your rights helps you to make safer choices and hold services accountable. When you need a taxi you can trust, book with Universal Cabs for 24/7 Perth transport and experience the difference that professional, accountable service makes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my rights as a taxi passenger in Western Australia?
Taxi passengers have the right to safe, reliable transport from an authorised provider with a licensed driver. You can request a particular route, expect a receipt for your fare, and dispute any charges you believe are incorrect. You also have the right to accessibility assistance if you have a disability or assistance animal. If you experience unsafe driving, overcharging, or other breaches of service standards, you can lodge a complaint with the relevant transport regulator or the taxi service directly.
How do I check that a taxi is authorised in Perth?
Authorised taxis display a clearly visible licence plate and identification inside the vehicle. The driver should carry a current licence card. When booking, use established, licensed providers rather than unofficial services. Authorised services follow safety regulations, vehicle inspections, and driver screening requirements, so verification protects both your safety and your rights.
What should I do if I feel unsafe during a taxi trip?
If you feel unsafe, trust your instincts. Ask the driver to stop in a safe, public location and exit the vehicle. Call police on 000 if you are in immediate danger. Once safe, report the incident to the taxi service and the transport regulator, providing details of the driver, vehicle, and what happened. Keep a record of the trip details and any documentation. Document any injuries or damage. This information helps protect other passengers and holds non-compliant operators accountable.
What should I do if I leave something in a taxi?
Contact the taxi service immediately with details of your trip: the date, time, pickup and drop-off locations, and driver name if known. Provide a clear description of the lost item. Keep your booking confirmation or receipt, which includes trip details. If the service cannot help, contact the transport regulator to lodge a formal complaint. Act quickly, as lost property is typically held for a limited time.
How do I report a taxi driver or safety concern in Western Australia?
Report concerns directly to the taxi service first, providing trip details and a description of the issue. If the service does not respond satisfactorily, lodge a formal complaint with the transport regulator. Include the driver’s name or vehicle details, date and time of the trip, and a clear account of what happened. For serious safety concerns or criminal conduct, contact police on 000. Keep records of all communications and any evidence, such as receipts or photographs of the vehicle.
Can I ask a taxi driver to take a particular route?
Yes. You have the right to request a specific route before or during the trip. The driver should honour reasonable route preferences. If you believe a driver took an unnecessarily long route to inflate the fare, this is overcharging and you can dispute the charge. Request a receipt showing the route taken or distance travelled. If you have concerns about route choice and overcharging, report it to the taxi service and the transport regulator with your receipt and trip details.
Are taxi drivers required to assist passengers with accessibility needs or assistance animals?
Yes. Licensed drivers must assist passengers with disabilities and accept assistance animals, including guide dogs and other certified support animals. If a driver refuses to help with accessibility needs or rejects your assistance animal, this is a breach of passenger rights. Report the incident to the taxi service and the transport regulator immediately, providing the driver and vehicle details and the date and time of the refusal. Accessible vehicles are available from authorised providers; book in advance if you need a wheelchair-accessible taxi.