Enforcement of new Qld 'Uber' laws begins

Queensland's taxi council is applying pressure on the state government to deliver an instant Uber crackdown after introducing heavier fines for drivers of the ride-sharing service.

Enforcement of new laws passed in parliament last week, increasing penalties for Uber drivers from $1413 to $2356, started on Friday.

Transport inspectors have also been given greater power to investigate people suspected of operating an illegal taxi.

TransLink confirmed "enforcement activities" had started, two days after the new regulations for the taxi industry came into force.

"The new legislation boosts compliance measures and enhances the power of inspectors to enforce current regulation in the taxi industry," a TransLink spokesperson said.

"A variety of enforcement strategies will be undertaken to detect non-compliance."

Uber itself is also facing harsher penalties, with fines jumping from $18,848 to $23,560 under the new laws.

Taxi Council Queensland chief operating officer Wayne Crooks said cabbies expected to see enforcement action against Uber this weekend.

"We will be talking to the government next week, either to congratulate them for taking this issue seriously, or to register our disappointment about the inaction of the department," Mr Crooks said.

Uber last week thumbed its nose at the changes, vowing to operate as normal and contest any fines received in court.

It has been urging the government to regulate ride-sharing services so it can operate legally in the state.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday indicated she was fed up with waiting for an independent review that will spell out how ride-sharing services like Uber are to operate in the state.

She wants the review of the government's taxi strategic plan to be delivered by July, instead of August.

Former government director-general Jim Varghese said he understood the urgency associated with his review and was adjusting timeframes.