Approved in-vehicle security camera systems for taxis

The Land Transport Rule: Operator Licensing 2017 requires taxis operating in major towns and cities to have:

• mandatory in-vehicle camera systems, OR
• only provide services to registered passengers.

Which areas does this apply to?

Areas for which an in-vehicle security camera system is required for small passenger services operated using a small passenger service vehicle [Refer 3.8(2)(external link), 3.9(2)(external link) & (3(external link)), 3.10(2)(external link)]

If you normally don't work in any of the listed urban areas and don't have a camera installed, you may go into these areas to collect a pre-booked fare provided the destination is outside one of the listed urban areas.

Who might not need a camera?

The following don’t need to comply with either the in-vehicle camera or only registered passengers requirements:

• dial-a-driver operators

• facilitated cost-share operators

• exclusively pre-booked services such as:

  • special occasion vehicle hire services (eg weddings or school balls)
  • short duration package tour services (eg three-day sightseeing tours)
  • government services under a long-term contract
  • specialist services offered on a chartered basis (eg limousine chartered for 24 hours, chartered education services).

In-vehicle camera requirements

If you choose the in-vehicle camera system option the vehicle can’t be used to accept a hire unless the system has been approved by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, is operating properly, and the camera is mounted so it has a clear view of the inside of the vehicle.

You can also apply to Waka Kotahi for approval of a new system.

A sign or notice that an in-vehicle camera is operating must be clearly displayed on the outside of the front passenger door, and inside the vehicle in a prominent position.

Approved in-vehicle security camera systems

The following have been approved as in-vehicle security camera systems for the purpose of the Land Transport Rule: Operator Licensing 2007.

Information for suppliers of camera systems  

If you are seeking approval of a new in-vehicle camera system you must first have it independently tested and certified as meeting the operational requirements (as outlined in the guidelines below). Independent testing must be completed before an application will be considered by Waka Kotahi for approval.

Guidelines for suppliers of in-vehicle security camera systems for taxis in New Zealand [PDF, 600 KB]

Waka Kotahi recommends using one of the following certifiers to test your camera system. It should be noted that these test certifiers do not sell, supply or install camera systems.

At the completion of the camera testing, you will be provided a written report notifying you of the outcome of the test. A copy of that report is also provided to Waka Kotahi to hold on file. Once you have been issued your independent test certification report, and the system is recommended as having passed testing, you are welcome to submit a full application (completed application form and independent test certification report) to Waka Kotahi, to have your camera system approved for use and listed on the table of approved camera systems on the Waka Kotahi website.   

Application for approval of a taxi camera security system [PDF, 107 KB]

Information for purchasing a camera system

There are important things you should note when purchasing an in-vehicle security camera system:

• There is no limit to the number of camera systems that Waka Kotahi may approve.
• Waka Kotahi will be updating the list regularly as new approvals are made.
• The camera system you install must be a system approved by Waka Kotahi. Do not consider installing a system which is not approved.
• The above approvals are based on the requirements defined in the Land Transport Rule: Operator Licensing 2017.
• Waka Kotahi has no preference as to which camera system is the best.
• Waka Kotahi does not provide any assurances in regards to the quality or on-going performance of any approved system; or the reputation of any supplier.
• Waka Kotahi advises purchasers to thoroughly investigate prices, service provision, warranty options and special features of each camera system.
• Waka Kotahi also advises purchasers to be sure that suitable maintenance and product support for the system is readily available.

Registered passengers

If you operate in one of the listed urban areas and don’t have an in-vehicle camera, your passengers must be registered. The purpose of this alternative to having an in-vehicle camera is to ensure that a driver and passenger can be identified and located if an investigation into an incident is necessary.

A registered passenger service must:

• only offer trips to passengers who are registered with the service
• make information about the driver available to the registered passenger, and
• information about the registered passenger available to the driver (such as names and photographs), prior to the trip commencing
• keep, for at least 168 hours (seven days), information about both the driver and the registered passenger and also a record of the journey.

The following details are the minimum Waka Kotahi expects to be collected from, and retained on, a registered passenger:

• name
• contact address
• contact phone number
• email address (if applicable).

Without a working approved camera, no driver can accept casual, walk-up passengers.

The registration process must be robust and reliable

Since vehicles with registered passengers aren’t required to have a security camera, information regarding driver and passenger details and the trip itself need to be as robust and reliable as reasonably practicable.

• This means that registering at the point the trip is about to start is not acceptable as these are unlikely to be recorded and retained in a secure manner.
• The information should be stored independently of the small passenger service vehicle itself – and needs to have a verification process for the information provided (eg like through app-based registrations).
• A notebook entry held by the driver would not be considered compliant as it includes no verification opportunity and could be easily interfered with should a passenger not wish to leave identification evidence in the small PSV (eg a passenger could assault a driver and steal the notebook).

Audio recording of passengers in taxis

Waka Kotahi and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) have raised concerns about the use of audio recording in taxis. Please read the following letter and factsheet to ensure you are aware of these issues.

If a small passenger service organisation would like clarification about the general issues raised by this matter under the Act, then it can contact the OPC's enquiry line on 0800 803 909 or email enquiries@privacy.org.nz.

Audio recording of passengers in taxis (letter from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency) [PDF, 36 KB]
Guidance for taxi organisations on audio recording (factsheet from the Privacy Commissioner) [PDF, 636 KB]

More information

Read the Operator Licensing Amendment (No 2) 2010 questions and answers(external link)

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