Airside Driving
As the operator of an aerodrome under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, Gold Coast Airport is required to include in its Aerodrome Manual particulars for the control of surface vehicles operating on the, or in the vicinity of, the aircraft movement area.
On this page
Airside Driving at GCA
As the operator of an aerodrome under the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations, Gold Coast Airport is required to include in its Aerodrome Manual particulars for the control of surface vehicles operating on the, or in the vicinity of, the aircraft movement area.
Gold Coast Airport also has a general duty of care under common law and obligations under occupational health and safety legislation, the Civil Aviation Safety regulations and the Air Navigation Regulations in relation to safety and security issues associated with surface vehicles operating in such areas.
In order to meet these obligations, Gold Coast Airport has developed the Airside Driving Manual 2024 version 6.2 (effective from October 2024). The rules and standards set out in this manual form an important part of the system which Gold Coast Airport has put in place to promote the safe and orderly movement of passengers, aircraft and vehicular traffic airside as well as in the baggage make-up area.
In order to drive airside at Gold Coast Airport unescorted, personnel are required to hold an Authority to Drive Airside license. The category of an issued ADA license determines what areas the license holder is permitted to operate within.
Application for Authority to Drive Airside (ADA)
Licence Categories
Gold Coast Airport has five categories, and two classes (endorsements) of ADA’s. If a person holds a category of ADA, it is taken that all categories below the one issued are also permitted for use. To avoid confusion this means that a category 3 driver can also operate in category 2 and category 1 locations.
| Category | Location Allowance |
|---|---|
| ADA Category 1 (blue) | GA Apron operations only |
| ADA Category 1T (pink) | Tower Road access only |
| ADA Category 2 (orange) | RPT Apron and live taxiway crossing on Taxiway Alpha |
| ADA Category 3 (green) | All Taxiways, Tower Road and Perimeter Road, excluding Runway 17 undershoot |
| ADA Category 4 (purple) | All Airside Areas including Runways, Taxiways, Tower Road, and Perimeter Road |
Class N – Night Operations
Class P – Perimeter Road access for ADA 1 and 2 Operators
ADA Application Process
Step 1: Have a valid work related or operational need and have the appropriate current state or territory open class or valid P plate licence for the type of vehicle to be operated.
Step 2: Review the Airside Driving Manual 2019 v5.0 and complete the Application for Authority to Drive Airside.
Step 3: On approval of application, make a booking and successfully complete the applicable written test for your licence category (testing conducted by GCA staff).
a) New applicants only - obtain a driver log sheet and complete the required vehicle training hours applicable to your category of licence.
b) Existing ADA holders - apply for your new ADA as part of any ASIC renewal application. Any application after the issue of a new ASIC will be deemed as a new application and condition 3a will apply.
Step 4: Make a booking and successfully complete the practical drivers test applicable to your category of licence (testing conducted by GCA ARO staff).
Step 5: Submit all documentation to GCAL ASIC office for final approving and coding.
All vehicles operating in airside areas outside of designed work zones or special event zones are required to hold an Authority to Use Airside vehicle permit. This is to ensure all vehicles operating airside are clearly identifiable, in an appropriate serviceable condition and covered by insurance.
Annual AUA Application Process
Step 1: Hold a current ASIC and ADA
Step 2: Complete the required AuA application form
Step 3: Make an appointment with the ASIC issuing office (a copy of the vehicle insurance documentation and registration details must be supplied).
