As of November 26, 2024, the taxicab stand outside the west end of Union Station on the south side of Front St. W (from the west door to 15 m east of York St.) will temporarily move to the east end of Union Station (just west of Bay St.) due to construction. This temporary location will remain in effect until late April 2025 and all current rules for the stand will still apply. For questions, please contact 311 or bylawenforcement@toronto.ca.
The City’s Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw balances customer service, economic impacts on drivers, impacts on public transit and congestion, and equity and accessibility.
Share Your Feedback
The City conducted a comprehensive review of the vehicle-for-hire industry, including taxicabs, limousines and private transportation companies and their drivers, to respond to several City Council directives from 2021-2024.
The purpose of the review was to update the bylaw for the vehicle-for-hire industry, while balancing public policy priorities, including customer service, economic impacts on drivers, impacts on public transit and congestion, and equity and accessibility. The review was informed by academic research and feedback from the industry, stakeholder organizations and the public.
The report on the vehicle-for-hire bylaw review was considered by Executive Committee on December 10, 2024. A separate report on driver wages was considered by Toronto City Council on December 17-19, 2024.
Online Survey and Email Feedback
Feedback was also collected through an online survey and email feedback.
Public Consultations and Focus Group
Five virtual and in-person public consultations facilitated by a third-party public consultation firm, and a focus group were held from June 12 to 25, 2024. Members of the public and the industry were invited to attend any of the consultations, with some meetings having specific topics of discussion noted below.
The City is committed to working in partnership with businesses, governments and institutions, to take real and measurable action against the climate crisis and to work quickly to create a greener, more resilient and sustainable future.
Approximately 32.5 per cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Toronto comes from on-road transportation (cars, trucks, vans, and buses) with passenger cars and trucks responsible for about 23 per cent of Toronto’s GHG emissions. This means that switching from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles is important for meeting the City’s goal of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2040.
After collecting input from various stakeholders and conducting research and analysis and as part of TransformTO Net Zero strategy, the City has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by the vehicle-for-hire industry to net zero by 2030.
Strategies
City Council adopted the following strategies:
Vehicles-for-hire are required to be zero-emission vehicles beginning in 2030 (with some exceptions, including accessible taxicabs and stretch limousines).
Starting in 2024, drivers and owners using zero-emission taxicabs and limousines will enjoy a reduction in both licensing fees and renewal fees until the end of 2029. The reduction amount will vary every year up to and including 2029.
Starting March 1, 2025, drivers and owners using Tesla zero-emission vehicles are not eligible to apply for these reductions in licensing and renewal fees.
The vehicle age limit for zero-emission vehicles-for-hire have been waived.
Vehicles-for-hire due for replacement by March 31, 2024 can be used for one more year.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles are permitted to operate as vehicles-for-hire until the end of 2032 (vehicle age limits still apply).
The City is developing a plan to support the vehicle-for-hire industry’s vehicle charging infrastructure needs and will also provide education on zero-emission vehicles for-hire to the industry.
Benefits of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles (EVs) have other benefits, beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They cost less to operate and don’t have tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce air pollution. Learn more about EV benefits and charging options.
For more information, watch this webinar with the City of Toronto and Cara Clairman, President and CEO of Plug’n Drive, providing information on the EV models available in Canada, how far you can drive before needing to recharge, options for charging EVs at home and on the road, EV maintenance requirements, and the upfront and operating costs of EVs compared to gas-powered or diesel-powered vehicles. The information in this webinar is tailored for vehicle-for-hire operators and drivers in Toronto.
Vehicle Requirements
2023 bylaw updates
To provide sufficient time for vehicle-for-hire drivers and owners to consider the new net zero by 2030 requirements, the City has provided an extension allowing vehicles due for replacement by March 31, 2024, to be used for one additional year until March 31, 2025.
This extension is effective immediately.
Under this extension, vehicle owners are still required to submit annual mechanical safety inspection certificates and comply with all safety and maintenance requirements in the bylaw to ensure that vehicles continue to be safe.
In response to ongoing supply chain issues affecting the vehicle industry, City Council approved a bylaw amendment to allow accessible taxicab vehicles to remain in use for up to 10 model years. This vehicle age limit extension expires on December 31, 2025.
Vehicle owners are required to submit annual mechanical safety inspection certificates and comply with all safety and maintenance requirements in the bylaw to ensure that vehicles continue to be safe.
If you are interested in receiving updates on the regulations for vehicles-for-hire, please subscribe to the Vehicle-for-Hire e-mail listserv.
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