Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw Updates

As directed by City Council, applicants for new vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company driver’s licences must demonstrate completion of a new driver training course, and will be required to submit the certificate of completion as part of their license application. Applications for new licences will not be accepted without the certificate of training completion.
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.

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.

2020 bylaw updates

  • PTC vehicles are not allowed to use the same color scheme that is already in use by a licensed taxicab brokerage.
  • Taxicab vehicles do not need to be low-emission, alternative fuel or hybrid.

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, as a requirement of licence issuance. Drivers currently licensed will also have to take this training program; the deadline by which they need to complete the training will be provided at a later date when more training providers are approved.

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:

It is anticipated that more providers will be added to the City’s list of approved training providers and this page will be updated as more details are available.

DRVR Hub driver training program

The City has temporarily suspended the driver training program offered by DRVR Hub, after performing an audit and identifying a number of concerns that threaten the integrity of the program. The program is currently being investigated. Drivers can take the other training programs that have been approved by the City and should not register for the DRVR Hub training program. The City will no longer accept training certificates from drivers who complete this program. The City is also reviewing all drivers who have already taken the DRVR Hub training. Once this review is finalized, the drivers will be informed if there are any next steps to be taken.

Introduction of driver training program

The City has robust licensing requirements for drivers of vehicles-for-hire in order to ensure the safety of passengers. As directed by City Council, the City has introduced a mandatory Driver Training Accreditation Program (DTAP) for all vehicle-for-hire drivers.

The new driver training focuses on improving driver awareness on Vision Zero, transporting passengers in a safe manner, driving in an urban setting, anti-racism and discrimination, and legal requirements.

On November 9, 2021 the City issued a call for applications for driver training program and received 12 applications. In order to be on the City’s list of approved training programs, third party training providers need to satisfy all mandatory criteria provided by the City and submit a course content which clearly demonstrates how it will meet the curriculum criteria.

An expert panel with representatives from City divisions reviewed each program and have provided specific feedback based upon the mandatory criteria. At this time, two programs have been approved.

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 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 last Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw Review and outstanding Council directives. The following topics were included in the report.

Licensing

  • A third-party assessment of vehicle-for-hire licensing fees in comparison to other business licensing categories, taking into consideration cost-recovery and the harmonization of fee categories.

Congestion and Emissions

  • An update to the 2019 Transportation Impact Study that presented findings on the transportation impacts of vehicles-for-hire.
  • An outline of next steps to reduce emissions in the vehicle-for-hire industry.

Accessibility Fund Program

Driver Training Program

Safety Measures

  • In response to Council directives, an update on the feasibility of implementing the following measures:
    • Increased mandatory inspections
    • New requirements for in-car cameras and emergency lighting systems
    • Restrictions on the maximum numbers of hours that a driver can work in 24 hours
    • New measures to reduce dooring incidents
    • New software to restrict pick up and drop off locations in ‘no stopping’ areas

Note, safety measures were also explored as part of the 2019 Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw Review.

  • 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.