Victorian taxi drivers say Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s trip in a banned UberX car was dangerous and illegal.

Mr Guy was filmed on Tuesday riding in a UberX, a service which is still illegal in Victoria.

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Victorian Taxi Association chief executive David Samuel said Mr Guy’s ride was disappointing.

“I’m concerned that a senior member of parliament would associate himself with a dangerous and illegal service,” Mr Samuel said on Wednesday.

Deputy Liberal leader David Hodgett defended his leader for using Uber.

“Matthew Guy, I think he’s done the right thing, he’s gone out and had a look at the service, what it offers and what it does,” Mr Hodgett said.

“You can’t put your head in the sand and ignore this.”

Mr Guy has called for Uber and other app-driven industries like Airbnb to be regulated.

“Outlawing things like Uber and Airbnb is not going to be possible, so the proper way forward is around regulation and engagement,” Mr Guy said on Tuesday.

“We should look at how it can complement our taxi industry, not supplement or indeed compete with it.”

Mr Samuel said there were questions about whether UberX drivers have commercial insurance to protect road users and passengers, and whether UberX pays tax in Australia.

“We know that UberX drivers are not covered by workers’ compensation insurance,” Mr Samuel said.

UberX is Uber’s budget option, which sends an everyday car instead of a higher-end vehicle.