The Land Transport Authority is warning people applying for new taxi permits not to pay for taxi stand letters before official taxi stands are gazetted.

The warning comes after reports that some prospective applicants have paid thousands of dollars to taxi stand operators for stand letters.

LTA Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa says no payments should be made at this stage because the taxi stands have not yet been formally gazetted.

He says any payments being requested or made before the official process is completed are outside the approved system and should be treated with extreme caution.

The issuance of new taxi permits is being rolled out in phases, starting with rural applications, following the lifting of the taxi permit freeze.

The Authority says while a new taxi base and stand framework is being developed, stand letters will only be required once the relevant taxi stands have been officially gazetted and approved.

LTA is also reminding applicants to submit applications only through official LTA channels, avoid third parties claiming to guarantee approvals, and report anyone requesting payment for taxi stand letters.

Existing taxi permit holders renewing their permits next year have also been advised that a stand letter from a gazetted taxi stand will be required before 30 September 2027 as part of the renewal process.