An Uber driver has allegedly indecently assaulted his 19-year-old passenger as he drove her home in Melbourne on New Year’s Day.

The woman booked the ride through the ride-sharing mobile app and was picked up on King Street about 4:00am.

Police allege the teenager was indecently assaulted before she was dropped in Templestowe, in Melbourne’s north-east.

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Officers arrested a 31-year-old Noble Park man over the incident.

He is expected to be charged with sex offences and unaccredited driving.

The Taxi Services Commission (TSC) assisted the Victoria Police investigation into the matter.

TSC chairman Graeme Samuel said it was a disturbing allegation.

“For at least 12 months the TSC has advised Uber that their drivers needed to be accredited to drive a commercial passenger vehicle. Only recently have they started working with us to accredit their Uber drivers,” he said.

“The Uber driver involved in this alleged incident has not submitted an application to be accredited with the TSC.”

Mr Samuel said accredited drivers were subject to criminal checks.

“Even with these measures in place, incidents can still occur and we can take reasonable steps to identify and remove them from the industry,” he said.