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Driving at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)

Airports can be complicated places, especially for drivers. But knowing the basics, and getting information in advance about your local airport, can help make sure you’re prepared for your first pickup or dropoff.

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Airport regulations

Driver Partners must:

  • not access Loading Zones at Sydney Airport unless they have obtained approval to do so;
  • use electronic tags valid on NSW roads and registered with Sydney Airport to access Loading Zones at Sydney Airport;
  • enter the designated Loading Zones for the collection of pre-booked passengers only after the passenger’s flight has landed;
  • not use Loading Zones when not collecting pre-booked passengers;
  • use vehicle holding areas when at Sydney Airport and not collecting pre-booked passengers; and comply with all signs, conditions of entry, rules, requirements for accreditation and laws.

Loading Zone access points

The operating procedure at Loading Zone access points is as follows:

  • An electronic tag reader is mounted at the entry and exit access points to Loading Zones.

  • The driver may approach the Loading Zone boom gate access point for entry or exit of the Loading Zone.

  • The boom gates will only open for entry and exit of a Loading Zone if a valid electronic tag is read and accepted by the electronic tag reader.

  • The driver is responsible for ensuring that the electronic tag can be read by the electronic tag reader on entry and exit, is registered with Sydney Airport, has sufficient funds and meets all other requirements for acceptance;

  • The boom gates may not open if: the electronic tag cannot be read; the electronic tag is not registered with Sydney Airport; there are not sufficient funds in the electronic tag account; or any other requirements for acceptance are not met (including black listing).

  • The driver must load passengers promptly and proceed to the Loading Zone exit point boom gates where the electronic tag reader will detect the electronic tag.

  • The driver must not tailgate or otherwise act improperly.

  • If the driver experiences any difficulties using the Loading Zones the Licensee may use the intercoms provided at the Loading Zone access points.

Operating efficiently

Driver Partners acknowledge that Loading Zones are common use facilities that require the cooperation of all users in order to operate efficiently. Accordingly, Driver Partners must:

  • take all necessary steps to ensure the efficient operation of activities while at Sydney Airport; check flight information displays and respond accordingly to any changes in pre-booked passenger’s flights;
  • not leave vehicles unattended at terminal frontages and car parks at any time; act professionally and courteously in all dealings at Sydney Airport;
  • deal cooperatively with Sydney Airport’s staff, contractors and kerbside enforcement officers; and
  • comply with any reasonable requests of Sydney Airport’s staff, contractors and kerbside enforcement officers in relation to traffic, access and parking.

Pickups at the airport

You will need an e-tag to access the airport pickup areas. You can find more information on e-tags on the Sydney Airport website.

How airport pickup trips work

1. Enter the virtual queue

Trips at the airport work on a virtual queue system, which means you’ll receive trip requests on a first in, first out basis. This system ensures that driver-partners who have been waiting the longest get the requests first, instead of the usual system which allocates trips to whoever is closest.

To receive trip requests at Sydney airport, you will need to place yourself in the airport queue, by heading to the shaded area shown in your driver app. This is the only location where driver-partners can receive trip requests at the airport.

2. Accept a trip request and head to the pick up area

Once you are at the front of the queue, you will receive the next available trip request. In order to meet your rider, follow the navigation to the pickup area.

You will need to use your e-tag to enter the pickup area.

Pick-up area may vary depending on which product your rider has requested and which terminal your rider has requested from.

Terminal 1: at the International Terminal Uber pickups are split into two zones - one for UberX (Zone A) and one for all other products (Zone B). The in-app navigation will direct you to either Zone A or Zone B. Please follow in app directions, staff directions and signage.

How PIN works Step 1: Once you reach the top of the UberX virtual driver queue, you’ll receive an alert, and your Driver app’s navigation will guide you to the pickup area. Step 2: At the pickup area, follow the signs for Uber Zone A (the PIN pickup zone) and join the queue of UberX driver-partners. Step 3: Pull forward and wait in a designated parking space for a rider to be directed to your vehicle. Step 4: Before entering your vehicle, the rider will provide a unique 6-digit PIN code. Tap ‘Enter rider PIN’ on the bottom of your Driver app to input the code. Step 5: Once you’ve confirmed your rider’s PIN, you’ll see the trip information. The rider can enter your vehicle and you can start your trip.

Note: PIN works at Terminal 1 only between 6:30am and 10:30pm daily. At all other times, you’ll get usual UberX trip requests. Watch the “How to take Sydney International Airport T1 pick-ups” educational video HERE.

Other important things to know for Terminal 1 Pickups: * Traffic Managers will be present at the entry point to the Holding Lot to confirm that you are an authorised driver. * There are amenities available to driver-partners at entry to the Holding Lot building. * Please do not enter the Holding Lot if the virtual queue is full, as this will cause congestion. * State regulations require a window sticker identifying your vehicle as a passenger transport vehicle. Whenever you’re online, the sticker should be visible. * Off-app and cash trips are prohibited. Penalties apply and non-compliance can result in loss of access to the Driver app.

Terminal 2 Uber Premier: Riders will be able to enjoy being picked up from the designated Limo Pick-up area (kerbside). There is a Limo Pick-up area at the International and Domestic terminal. For all Other Terminal 2 Products: Riders will be picked up from the Priority Pick-up area at Domestic Terminals (T2).

Terminal 3: All Qantas Terminal 3 Pick-ups are located at the designated Uber Kerbside pick-up location outside the domestic terminal. Watch the “How to take Sydney domestic airport T3 pick-ups” educational video HERE.

3. Locate your rider and exit the airport

Once your rider is in your car, you can begin the trip just as you normally would, following the signs to exit the airport.