PPV insurance policies apply to a specific set of passenger vehicles. Any vehicle that could be considered a passenger vehicle used to transport passengers may be eligible for PPV insurance coverage with AutoSmart. This includes:

• Route taxis: These 10-seat or less passenger vehicles carry riders along a designated route, making drop-offs and pick-ups along the way. License fee: $25,000.

• Hackney carriages: A vehicle for hire that transports no more than three passengers travelling together on thoroughfares or areas frequented by the public.

• Stage carriages: Like buses, stage carriages have seats for no fewer than 11 passengers, each of which pays their own fare, and travels along a designated route. These vehicles stop at “stages” along the way to drop off and pick up new passengers.

• Contract carriages: Used for carrying passengers under an expressed or implied contract for using the whole vehicle at an agreed price.

• Express carriages: These vehicles must provide seating for no fewer than 11 passengers, each of whom pays their own fare. Express carriages travel between multiple points to one or more destinations specified in advance.

PPVs are identifiable by their distinctive red license plates, which quickly signal to authorities that they’re legally authorized to carry passengers, so long as they follow stipulated guidelines and laws.

Each type of public passenger vehicle requires its own new license or license renewal fee that lasts for a designated period of time, after which it must be renewed. For information on PPV licensing, visit the Transport Authority website.