If you drive a bus, taxi, shuttle or any kind of passenger service vehicle, there are things you must do. This page contains information about when a passenger endorsement might be required, and information about carrying passengers.
If you drive a bus, taxi or shuttle, you must have a passenger endorsement.
If you drive any other type of passenger service vehicle, and you receive money or some sort of reward for driving the vehicle, then you also need a passenger endorsement.
What counts as a passenger service vehicle?
You also need a passenger endorsement if the passenger owns the vehicle but you receive any kind of reward to drive it, like a dial-a-driver service.
In some circumstances, you may not need a passenger endorsement when carrying passengers. For example, if you're a volunteer driver, if you are driving for a charity, or when you are carpooling to work.
See the full range of activities that may not require a passenger endorsement
To get a passenger endorsement, you must make an application at a driver licensing agent. Waka Kotahi will then check whether you are a ‘fit and proper’ person to be driving passengers.
The full process for getting a passenger endorsement
You must hold a transport service licence to operate a passenger service.
All you need to know about transport service licences
Your vehicle must meet all the standards set out in the Land Transport Rule: Passenger Service Vehicles 1999.
See the standards that a passenger service vehicle must meet
Both you and your passengers have rights and responsibilities when it comes to a passenger service.
The rights and responsibilities involved in passenger services
