The Vehicles-for-Hire Bylaw regulates a number of areas including short-fare refusal, condition of the vehicle, driver behaviour, use of cell phone, route taken and fare. To report an issue, contact 311.
Common Complaints
Taxicabs must:
- provide service to the first person who requests it, no matter how small the fare or short the distance
- provide service to any person with a disability, including anyone accompanied by a service animal
- take the shortest possible route to the destination unless the passenger asks for an alternative one
To make a complaint, you must provide the taxicab plate number. This number is found on the side of the taxicab or on the small plate attached to the licence plate at the back of the taxicab.
Public Safety and Consumer Protection
- All taxicab and limousine drivers must meet the City’s standards for criminal background and driving history checks.
- Vehicles will be required to meet the City’s standards for vehicle inspections and carry Automobile Liability Insurance with a minimum of $2 million coverage.
- All vehicles-for-hire must be equipped with snow tires or all-weather tires from December 1 to April 30.
- The current minimum years of required driving experience for drivers is now three years.
- All drivers need to successfully complete a City-approved training program. The new training requirement aims to improve driver awareness and enhance public safety.
- Drivers are also required to:
- attach “Watch for Bike” notices to vehicles
- securely mount all handheld devices to their vehicle
- display notices in their vehicles if a camera is being used to record passengers.
Fares
- If you are hailing a taxicab from the street, or being picked up at a taxicab stand, the taxicab must charge the City-regulated rate.
- If you book through a brokerage, the brokerage can provide a discounted rate.
- Taxicab brokerages are permitted to set rates (surge price), only if the ride is booked through an app. You must agree to accept the price prior to starting the trip, and the company must provide a detailed receipt.
Six Ways to Identify a Licensed Taxicab
1. Taxicab Plate Number
- Metal plate located on the rear, right hand side of the bumper that identifies the taxicab number
- Also located on the sides of the vehicle, near front door
2. Meter
- Meter calculates the fare
- Toronto’s taxicab meters start at $4.25 and increase based on distance and time for street hail and cabstand pick-ups
3. Driver Photo Card
- Photo card must be displayed on dash board
4. Taxicab Bill of Rights
- Located on the back of the passenger seat
- Lists the rights of passengers and drivers
- Lists information to launch compliment or complaint
5. Tariff Card
- Located on the back of the passenger seat
- Lists fare rates
- Lists taxicab plate number and name of taxicab owner
6. Roof Light
- All licensed taxicabs must have a roof light
- The roof light will be turned on if the taxicab is available and turned off if it is not
- Important note: A roof light alone does not mean that a taxicab is licensed
Who Can I Contact if I've Left Something in a Taxicab?
Accessible Vehicle-for-Hire Service
- The City is working towards a long-term accessible strategy and equitable and accessible vehicle-for-hire service.
- The updated bylaw has introduced an Accessibility Fund Program to support the availability of accessible service and to offset the higher cost of providing wheelchair accessible service.
- The program will be 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.
- Funds will be disbursed to wheelchair accessible taxicab owners and drivers based on service standards and eligibility criteria.