Vehicle maintenance guidelines

Safety is the first priority for drivers and riders, and providing a safe environment for drivers and customers is a priority for Ola.

Unsafe vehicles are a cause of road-related accidents and a failure on the part of drivers to ensure that vehicles have been properly maintained according to the manufacturers standards, puts not only the driver’s safety at risk but that of our customers and the public.

In some jurisdictions (see below), the maintenance of vehicles to the standard specified by the manufacturer of the vehicle is a mandatory requirement.

To ensure this obligation has been met, Ola may request drivers provide copies of their vehicle’s service and repair records.

General obligations

All drivers should adhere to the following general obligations:

• drivers must maintain the vehicle which they intend to use for the provision of transport services in accordance with the vehicle’s manufacturer’s maintenance schedule;
• drivers must conduct a simple pre-use ‘walk-around’ check before they drive their vehicle at the start of each shift;
• as a minimum, drivers should check that:
  • tyres are inflated with close-to-equal pressure and have a legal tread depth with no uneven wear
  • wheel nuts (where they can be seen) are in place and the wheels appear undamaged
  • there’s no obvious damage to the vehicle that could be considered dangerous
    indicators, tail lights and brake lights operate correctly and the lenses are not cracked or broken
  • headlights work on both high and low beam and lenses are not cracked or broken
    windscreen washers and wipers operate satisfactorily
  • the horn operates satisfactorily
  • the vehicle registration and certificate of fitness are current (as well as the road user charges label if you have a diesel or heavy vehicle)
  • safety belts are in good condition
  • the engine fluid levels (water and oil) are correct.
• drivers must at all times ensure that their vehicle is safe and fit for purpose;
• drivers must also at all times adhere to all road and traffic rules including rules relating to:
  • stopping safely (if necessary to make a stop during a trip);
  • ensuring passenger safety when involved in a breakdown:
    • ensuring passenger remains in vehicle; or
    • off roadway in a safe location;
  • dropping off a passenger safely.

To assist you with your vehicle maintenance obligations, please see our vehicle maintenance checklist. You may use this checklist before every shift and tick off each safety area as you complete the check.

Obligations when involved in an accident or a vehicle breakdown

Ola is committed to the safety of all our drivers and riders. If you were involved in an accident or a car breakdown, please ensure that you take the following steps:

• As a first priority, ensure you and all other parties are safe.
• Immediately turn your vehicle’s hazard lights on and put out safety triangles (if available) to warn other motorists approaching the incident.
• If anyone is injured or there is a risk to anyone’s safety, dial 000 immediately for emergency assistance. Render any aid or assistance, if necessary and follow the crash guidelines of your state or territory.
• If required in accordance with the rules or regulations of your state or territory, you must report the accident to the police or any other emergency services.
• Please ensure to end the trip on the Ola app and your rider gets to their drop off destination safely by asking them to book another Ola. Ola will make the necessary trip fare adjustments for your rider. While waiting, you must ensure your rider and all other passengers remain in the vehicle or otherwise in a safe location to ensure their safety applicable to the incident location (ie: freeway, behind crash barrier).
• In some circumstances such as tollways or other monitored high traffic areas, some jurisdictions offer free towing off tollways to safe locations. In such circumstances, put hazard lights on and call the monitoring authority.
• In the event of damage to your vehicle or another person’s vehicle or property, do not attempt to repair your vehicle and drive off unless:
  • you are completely certain the vehicle is fit to be driven safely for repair or inspection.
  • you have made the necessary exchange of details (license, rego etc) with the other person (if applicable).

As soon as you are able to after the accident or breakdown that interrupted ride:

• you must report the incident to Ola.
• If you haven’t already done so, you must also report the incident to the police or other services as necessary to the situation and/or regulations in your state or territory.
• We also recommend that you advise your vehicle insurance company immediately.

After the accident or breakdown incident, to be able to drive with Ola again, you are required to provide Ola with a roadworthy certificate from a certified mechanic for your vehicle or if minor damage only, you may supply evidence of repairs, including receipts and photographs, as the case may be. This is to ensure passenger safety by certifying the vehicle is fit for service (a requirement by law) as a commercial passenger vehicle.

State-specific vehicle maintenance requirements

New Zealand

Checking vehicles before use

Before you drive any vehicle,  you should do a simple pre-use ‘walk-around’ check.

This will help ensure that the vehicle is safe to operate. It will also enable you to identify the need for, and schedule, repairs and maintenance – reducing the need to deal with unexpected breakdowns. That could also mean long-term savings for your business.

Read NZTA’s small passenger service vehicle walk-around check guide [PDF, 128 KB]