Prepaid taxi fares
The Northern Territory Government is expanding the prepaid taxi fare arrangements, from 5 December 2025.
The new arrangements will require prepaid taxi fares between 7 pm – 7 am, 7 days per week. This measure aims to reduce taxi fare evasion and minimise conflict between drivers and passengers.
Previously, prepaid taxi fares have only applied to Friday and Saturday nights between 10 pm and 5 am.
Taxi drivers have the right to refuse travel if passengers do not prepay a fare when requested.
Fares for taxi trips are estimated by the driver using the schedule of estimated prepaid fares for a taxi trip, based on distance.
Taxi drivers are required to provide a receipt for the prepaid fare if requested by the passenger.
The driver is not entitled to request a prepaid fare for airport pickups and from members of the Transport Subsidy Scheme.
Before the trip begins, the taxi driver will estimate how much the fare will cost at the start of the trip using the Schedule of Estimated Prepaid Fares for a Taxi Trip. The schedule is based on distance i.e. 5 km, 10 km and so forth.
Final adjustment of the fare is based on the metered amount and any authorised additional charges, not the estimated amount.
Penalties apply to both the driver and passenger if they do not refund or pay the correct amount.
Vouchers (such as Cabcharge) should be made known to the driver at the beginning of the trip; the driver can ask the passenger for an alternative means of payment (such as cash or card) until the voucher can be successfully processed.
