Transporting participants safely and correctly
Driving NDIS participants as an independent support worker: licence and insurance checks, vehicle safety, wheelchair access, charging travel correctly and records.
When you'll be driving participants
Licence and driver checks
Insurance — the part people get wrong
Vehicle safety and roadworthiness
Wheelchair and access considerations
Consent, comfort and communication
Charging travel within NDIS rules
Records to keep
If something goes wrong
Frequently asked questions
Do I need special insurance to drive NDIS participants in my own car?
Almost certainly yes. Standard personal car insurance usually covers private use only, not carrying clients for paid work. Tell your insurer you're transporting participants as part of paid support and confirm your policy covers **business use** — in writing. Driving clients under a private-use-only policy can void a…
How do I charge for travel when driving a participant?
NDIS pricing separates **provider travel time**, **activity-based transport / kilometres**, and the participant's own transport funding. Each has its own rules and caps in the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements. Agree the approach in your service agreement, only claim what's genuinely allowed, and keep a trip log to…
Can I transport a participant who stays in their wheelchair?
Not in an ordinary car. Carrying someone seated in a wheelchair requires a properly designed **wheelchair-accessible vehicle** with a compliant restraint system. If the person can transfer into a car seat, support a safe transfer within your training and stow the wheelchair securely. Otherwise arrange accessible…
What checks should I do before driving participants?
Confirm you hold a valid licence for the vehicle with no breaching conditions, that the car is registered, roadworthy and serviced, and that your motor insurance covers business use. Also check your professional indemnity and public liability cover extends to transport, and be ready to show your licence and insurance.
Can I claim the drive to my first client of the day?
It depends on the current NDIS travel rules, which set limits on claimable provider travel and specific conditions. Don't assume all travel is claimable — check the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements, agree it in your service agreement, and never inflate time or kilometres, as travel is a common compliance flag.
What records should I keep for participant transport?
Log the date, purpose, start and end points, kilometres and/or travel time, and whether it was provider travel or activity-based transport, plus any incidents. Keep these with your licence and insurance details, and retain them for both compliance and your tax records, since car costs may be deductible.