The City continues to review the Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw and update the regulations for taxicabs, limousines and private transportation companies. Learn more about recent updates to the regulations 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.

As adopted 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. After collecting input from various stakeholders and conducting research and analysis, the City has developed an approach supporting the vehicle-for-hire industry to achieve this goal.

The approach

City Council adopted the following:

  • Vehicles-for-hire are required to be zero-emission vehicles beginning in 2030 (with some exceptions, including accessible taxicabs and stretch limousines).
  • Starting 2024, drivers and owners using zero-emission vehicles-for-hire will enjoy a reduction in licensing fees and renewal fees until the end of 2029. The reduction amount will vary every year up to and including 2029.
  • 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.
  • 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.

TransformTO Net Zero Strategy

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.

To ensure that Toronto is on track to reach net zero by 2040, the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy identifies actions and targets to be achieved by 2030 in key sectors. The 2030 goals for transportation are:

  • 30 per cent of registered vehicles in Toronto are electric.
  • 75 per cent of school/work trips under 5km are walked, biked or by transit.

Learn more about electric vehicles

Electric vehicles (EV) 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.

New applicants for taxicab, limousine and private transportation company (such as 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 have to take this training program before renewing their licence in 2023. New licences are not being issued and licences 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 and Lyft drivers:

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 results of this working group will be considered for any policy, program or bylaw changes that may be recommended.

2023 bylaw updates

  • To provide sufficient time for vehicle-for-hire drivers and owners to consider the new net zero by 2030 requirements, City Council approved a bylaw amendment to permit vehicles due for replacement by March 31, 2024, to be used for one additional year.
  • This is 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.

Learn more about the staff report and the Council decisions.

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?

Applications for 2023 closed on May 31 and funds were disbursed starting June. 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.

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