The City provided an update on outstanding Vehicle-for-Hire directives to the City Council in December 2021. The report addressed the work completed since the 2019 Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw Review and provided updates on outstanding Council directives. It also included the results of an updated Transportation Impact Study and a licensing fee review.

New applicants for taxicab, limousine and private transportation company (such as Facedrive, Lyft and Uber) driver licences need to successfully complete a third-party training program approved by the City and submit the certificate of completion, as a requirement of licence issuance. Drivers currently licensed will have to take this training program before renewing their licence in 2023. New licences are not being issued and licences will not be renewed if this training is not completed.

Approved driver training programs

The City has approved the following driver training programs for all vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company (PTC) such as Uber, Lyft and Facedrive drivers:

DRVR Hub driver training program

The driver training program offered by DRVR Hub was suspended by the City from July 8 to August 21, after an audit identified concerns. The City has reviewed the training information of all drivers who had taken the DRVR Hub training before the suspension, and considered a number of factors including the length of time taken to complete the online course. It was determined that drivers completing the training in less than three hours may not have sufficiently engaged with the course content given the scope of training. The City has informed these drivers that they will need to complete training from an accredited training program when applying for their licence renewal in 2023. Licences will not be renewed next year if these drivers do not show proof of training from an accredited training provider.

On August 22, the City reinstated the accreditation for DRVR Hub training program, after the training provider addressed all the concerns and issues raised from the audit. The DRVR Hub training has been amended and now includes an online course and an in-person examination. Drivers can register for DRVR Hub training and submit training certificates as a requirement of licence issuance.

As directed by City Council, the City has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions produced by the vehicle-for-hire industry to net zero by 2030. The City is creating a Vehicle-for-Hire Net Zero Working Group, to review possible solutions that guides and supports the vehicle-for-hire industry to reach this goal.

The working group will be led by a third party facilitator and will bring together members of the vehicle-for-hire industry and other stakeholders to discuss how to reduce emissions and support the transition to electric vehicles. Input and advice from the working group will be considered when policy, program or bylaw changes are recommended to achieve the goal of net zero.

The working group is anticipated to meet five times between October 2022 and February 2023. Review the Terms of Reference to learn more about the group and the expected time commitment. If you have any questions, please contact the Vehicle-For-Hire Bylaw Review Team at vehicleforhirereview@toronto.ca or at 416-338-6583.

The bylaw requires taxicab brokerages, limousine companies, and private transportation companies (PTC) to submit trip data to the City. This comprises of trip records, driver availability records and collision records among others data, and is used to support transportation planning analysis, including measuring the impact of the industry on the transportation network, equity, environment and road safety.

As directed by City Council in 2021, the City has established a Taxicab Data Working Group, with representatives from across the taxicab sector to understand concerns that have been raised related to the submission and collection of data from taxicab brokerages, address these concerns, and develop solutions.

In August 2022, the City reached out directly to the taxicab industry members asking representatives to confirm their interest to participate. The group is anticipated to meet for three sessions staring in fall. The results of this working group will be considered for any policy, program or bylaw changes that may be recommended.

2022 bylaw updates

  • 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.
  • Council also approved a one year vehicle age limit extension for standard taxicabs, sedan limousines, and private transportation company (PTC) vehicles, which expires on December 31, 2023.
  • Both extensions are effective immediately.
  • 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.

Learn more about the staff report and the Council decisions.

2021 bylaw updates

  • In December 2020, City Council adopted bylaw amendments that placed a moratorium on the enforcement of the age of vehicles for the next two years.
  • The change came into effect on January 1, 2021 and will apply for the next two years.
  • This means that vehicles manufactured in 2013, 2014 and 2015 will need to be replaced by the end of 2022.
  • This does not apply to stretch limousines or PTC vehicles.

An Accessibility Fund Program has been created to support the availability of accessible service and to offset the higher cost of providing wheelchair accessible service.

The program is funded by a regulatory charge on members of the industry. Toronto Taxicab Licensees (TTLs) and standard taxicab owners who have an accessible vehicle are exempt from these fees.

Who is eligible for funds?

Funds will be disbursed to wheelchair accessible taxicab owners and drivers based on service standards and eligibility criteria. Drivers will also be required to have valid accessible service training.

Drivers and owners under contract with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Wheel-Trans program are not be eligible.

How to apply for funds?

The deadline to apply for service offered in 2021 was May 9, 2022. Funds will be disbursed in June 2022. Questions can be directed to: accessibilityfundprogram@toronto.ca.

  • The current minimum years of required driving experience for all drivers has increased from one year to three years.
  • All drivers will need to successfully complete a City-approved training program as a requirement of licence issuance or renewal.
  • Drivers are required to attach “Watch for Bike” notices to vehicles. Private Transportation Companies (PTC) need to attach these notices and send push notifications reminding passengers to look for cyclists before exiting a vehicle.
  • Drivers need to securely mount all handheld devices to their vehicle.
  • Drivers need to display notices in their vehicles if a camera is being used to record passengers. In addition to these notices, PTCs also have the option to use their app to inform passenger before they complete their request for a ride.
  • All drivers need to carry government-issued identification.
  • Additional data on trip records and collision reporting is required from vehicle-for-hire and private transportation companies (PTC).
  • Data will be used for audit and compliance, accessibility, transportation planning and environmental initiatives relevant to the industry.
  • Taxicab brokerages and PTCs need to submit data to the City dating back to January 1, 2020.

If you are interested in receiving updates on the regulations for vehicles-for-hire, please subscribe to the Vehicle-for-Hire e-mail listserv by visiting the City’s E-updates webpage. Under the header “Get Involved in Your Community,” scroll down and click “Vehicle-for-Hire Review,” then scroll back up to enter your e-mail address to subscribe.