DiDi driver requirements by state
All DiDi drivers need an unrestricted licence, an ABN registered for GST, the right to work and insurance cover. Accreditation, police checks and documents then depend on your state.
Requirements that apply in every state
DiDi's list for NSW, VIC, QLD, WA and SA starts with the same basics:
- a smartphone, mobile number and email address,
- Australian citizenship, permanent residency or another right to work in Australia,
- an unrestricted Australian driver licence (minimum tenure below),
- an ABN registered for GST (driver tax),
- being listed as an insured driver on the vehicle's insurance.
Documents everyone uploads:
- Profile photo: clear, JPG, JPEG or PNG, at least 200 x 200 pixels. Riders use it to recognise you.
- Proof of ID other than your licence: passport, ImmiCard, Australian or NZ birth certificate, or citizenship certificate.
- Driver licence copy.
- Insurance: current third-party property damage or comprehensive cover on top of CTP, naming you as an insured driver.
Driver requirements by state
| NSW | VIC | QLD | WA | SA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licence tenure | 12 months unrestricted | 6 months full licence in VIC | 12 months open (Australian or overseas) | 12 months full licence in WA | 12 months (document page says 6 in SA) |
| Accreditation | T condition (PTLC) on licence | Driver Accreditation (CPVV) | Driver Authority BHTX (TAXI, LIMO being moved to BHTX) | PTD-A | Driver Accreditation and Operator Accreditation |
| Criminal record | National Police Check, under 3 months old | Covered by accreditation | Checked for the Driver Authority | Covered by PTD-A | Covered by accreditation |
| Driving record | Service NSW driving history, past 6 months | Not listed | Checked for the Driver Authority | Not listed | Not listed |
| Training | Not listed | Not listed | Mandatory anti-discrimination, harassment and disability awareness training | Not listed | Not listed |
| Vehicle licence or registration | Registered in NSW with NSW CTP | Registered as a Commercial Passenger Vehicle | Booked Hire Service Licence (BHSL) | PTV-A, category OD-C | Upgraded CTP |
Vehicle age, inspection and insurance classes are on vehicle requirements.
NSW in detail
- Licence: an unrestricted Australian or NSW licence held for more than 12 months in the previous 4 years, with a T condition (Passenger Transport Licence Condition). If you do not have it yet, DiDi links to the NSW application form for the passenger transport licence code.
- Record: no serious criminal offences and no serious traffic offences.
- National Police Check: from an ACIC-accredited provider, issued no more than 3 months before you submit. DiDi's partner National Crime Check offers DiDi drivers a 22% discount.
- Driving history: the full online record from Service NSW for the past 6 months, with offence descriptions and dates.
- Vehicle registration certificate: car registered in NSW at all times.
VIC in detail
- Licence: full licence held in Victoria for at least 6 months.
- Driver Accreditation (DA) certificate from Commercial Passenger Vehicles Victoria (CPVV).
- Commercial Passenger Vehicle registration for the car.
- Insurance declaration that the car is covered and you are a listed driver.
QLD in detail
- Licence: open, unrestricted licence (Australian or overseas) held continuously for 12 months.
- Driver Authority (DA): BHTX accepted; TAXI and LIMO also accepted while they move to BHTX. Getting a DA involves a medical examination, criminal history check and driving history check.
- Booked Hire Service Licence (BHSL) for the vehicle.
- Mandatory driver training on anti-discrimination, sexual harassment and disability awareness. DiDi offers it online.
- E-Tag (Linkt, RTA, RMS or Eway Interlink) to collect riders at Brisbane Airport, or a signed, dated note acknowledging you cannot.
WA in detail
- Licence: full, unrestricted WA licence (or Temporary Driver's Licence Receipt) for at least 12 months.
- Passenger Transport Driver Authorisation (PTD-A): an annual authorisation from the WA Department of Transport to drive for hire or reward.
- Passenger Transport Vehicle Authorisation (PTV-A) in the On-demand Charter (OD-C) category.
SA in detail
- Licence: DiDi's list says 12 months unrestricted; its document guidance mentions a full licence held in SA for at least 6 months.
- Driver Accreditation (DA) certificate.
- Operator Accreditation (OA), needed by anyone running a rideshare service in South Australia.
ACT (Canberra)
DiDi operates in Canberra, but its Canberra driver page shows the same requirement list as NSW, with an ACT-specific sticker rule. The vehicle inspection link DiDi gives for the ACT points to Access Canberra. Confirm the current ACT documents in the DiDi Driver app before applying.
Signage
After approval DiDi posts two self-adhesive DiDi stickers (retroreflective, square, at least 146 mm x 146 mm). Most states require them, and fines from regulators are the driver's responsibility.
| State | Where the sticker goes |
|---|---|
| NSW | On or near the rear window, driver's side, visible from outside |
| ACT | Passenger's side, on or near the lower windscreen or a fixed window |
| VIC | Clearly visible to people approaching and not removable from the driver's seat (rear windscreen suggested). Remove DiDi signage when not logged in |
| QLD | One at the bottom of the front windscreen and one at the bottom of the rear windscreen, both on the passenger's side |
| WA | Rear window, passenger's side, or elsewhere clearly visible from the rear |
| SA | Rear windscreen, driver's side, plus the inspection sticker on the front windscreen, passenger's side |
After you apply
DiDi reviews applications within about 3 business days (its help centre allows 3 to 5). If something is rejected, you get an SMS with the reason and can re-upload. Common causes are expired, missing, inconsistent, incomplete or blurry documents. Full process in sign-up.