The VTA have recently received many enquiries regarding when and how to use the meter in the new age of maximum fares and price notification.

Most importantly, it is vital that all operators and driver understand that it is a requirement that the meter to be on at all times there is a passenger in the taxi.

However, the meter must not always be used to calculate fares if alternative arrangements have been agreed to.

Operators are permitted to enter in to agreements, be they formal (such as contracts) or ad hoc (such as a discount offered to a particular customer at the time of travel) to charge a passenger an agreed amount so long as:

   -    The customer understands what he/she will be charged before the trip begins
   -    The agreed amount is less than the maximum regulated/notified maximum fares.

This represents current practice in the Victorian taxi industry and there has been no change to licence conditions, taxi-cab regulations or relevant legislation which would affect this.