Chauffeur & Hire cars

Authorisation to operate at the airport
For security purposes, all commercial licensed drivers and their vehicles operating within Melbourne Airport, including VHA, must be authorised. This means holding a current Landside Driver’s Authority (LDA) and Landside Vehicle Authority (LVA). This is in addition to the current Driver’s Certificate or Commercial Passenger Vehicle License issued by the Taxi Services Commission.

To apply for a Landside Driver Authority please use the following form – Landside Driver Authority Application 

To apply for a Landside Vehicle Authority please use the following form – Landside Vehicle Authority Application

Application Process

You can now apply for a Landside Driver Authority and Landside Vehicle Authority online.

Download and complete applicable form/s, and ensure all information entered is correct, attach a copy of your current Drivers Licence and Drivers Accreditation Certificate and submit to [email protected].
 
Approved applicants will be sent notification of collection date.
Upon collection you are required to present your current Drivers Licence.
 
*Please note applications can take up to 30 business days to process. 


Fees

Fees are charged for vehicles using the VHA parking area in the At Terminal T1 T2 T3 and At Terminal T4 Car Parks.
Access to these designated areas and payment of the applicable fee are provided by use of an access card. Applications to be submitted at the Security Services office.

Melbourne Airport provides three locations for VHA drivers to park and collect their passengers from the terminals. The following spaces are available:

• 75 spaces available at T1 on ground level of the At Terminal T1 T2 T3 Car Park
• 24 spaces near T3, on level 1 of the At Terminal T1 T2 T3 Car Park
• 11 spaces near T4, on level 2 of the At Terminal T4 Car Park.

There is no fee. You can drop off passengers for free in the public drop off areas on Departures Drive and At Terminal T4.

Yes. The applicable access fees are shown in the tables above.

No. This lane is dedicated to public pickup. VHA drivers are to park in the zones outlined above in accordance with VHA terms and conditions.

If your vehicle can fit in the At Terminal T1 T2 T3 Car Park, then you can park in the VHA permit zone (if the vehicle has a valid permit) or elsewhere in the car park. If your vehicle does not fit in the car park, then Melbourne Airport does not have suitable infrastructure to cater for your vehicle.

Yes. The designated parking areas are located in the At Terminal Car Parks and therefore vehicles can be left unattended. However, for security purposes, unattended vehicles may not be left in any other part of the forecourt.

Yes. You may park your vehicle at the Primary Taxi Holding Area (PHA) accessed from Francis Briggs Road. This facility provides a café, toilets, prayer rooms and a Flight Information Display (FID). Please use the bays marked for VHA only. You must have a vehicle permit to park in this area. Please note there is limited space available in this area so its use is not advised for longer dwell periods.

No. All hire car services to and from Melbourne Airport are required to be pre-booked. It is an offence under the Transport (Compliance and Miscellaneous) Act 1983 for an operator or their employee, agent or contractor to tout or solicit passengers. Melbourne Airport and the Taxi Services Commission regularly conduct checks on drivers in the terminal. Any driver caught touting faces fines and the cancellation of their LDA vehicle permit and access.

No. Melbourne Airport requires all VHA drivers to obtain and display an LDA whilst picking up passengers at the airport. Drivers are required to show their LDA if requested by an authorised person. Failure to do so may result in an infringement under the Provisional Infringement Notice Scheme. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the vehicle permit and the operator’s privilege to operate at Melbourne Airport, including any special parking rates.

Yes. Penalty Infringement Notices issued by the airport are enforceable under the Airports (Control of On‑Airport Activities) Regulations 1997. Failure to pay the infringement will lead to court action and cancellation of the vehicle permit, and the operator’s privilege to operate at the Melbourne Airport, including any special parking rates.

Melbourne Airport meets with the taxi and hire car industry regularly to discuss developments at the airport. Please liaise with your industry representatives who attend these forums. If you would like to address your concerns with us directly please contact [email protected] or call +61 3 9297 1318.

If you would like to lodge a complaint, you can email [email protected].