If you drive a taxicab or limousine, you must obtain a vehicle-for-hire driver licence.
Note: Starting January 1, 2023, the City will discontinue issuing plate stickers for your licence and you will not be required to display plate stickers anymore. This does not affect your driver licence and no further action is required from your end. For questions, please contact mlsbusinesslicence@toronto.ca.
Individuals can apply.
Please note: applicants for new vehicle-for-hire (taxicab or limousine) driver licences must demonstrate completion of a new driver training course and will be required to submit the certificate of completion as part of their licence applications. 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.
New applicants for taxicab and limousine 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. Applications for new licences are not being accepted without the certificate of training completion.
Drivers currently licensed will have to take this training program before renewing their licence in 2023. Licences will not be renewed if this training is not completed.
The new driver training focuses on improving driver awareness of Vision Zero, transporting passengers in a safe manner, driving in an urban setting, anti-racism and discrimination, and legal requirements. The certificate of completion of a City-approved training program can be used by when applying for any driver licence category and when transferring from one driver licence type to another.
The City has approved the following driver training programs for all vehicle-for-hire drivers:
For more information on the introduction of the Driver Training Accreditation Program, please visit: Vehicle-for-Hire Bylaw Updates.
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.
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.
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.
The deadline to apply for services offered in 2021 was May 9, 2022.
Funds will be disbursed in June 2022. Questions can be directed to: accessibilityfundprogram@toronto.ca.
Two pieces of government-issued identification (one must be photo ID):
Note:
Applications for new taxicab and limousine driver licences can be submitted online or in-person.
Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the application, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide on how to submit a new application. Licence application fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.
If you have already submitted an application you may upload additional documents using your upload token.
Upload Documents for Existing Request
You must book an appointment at the Licence and Permit Issuing Office, 850 Coxwell Avenue, 3rd Floor. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Please arrive 10-15 mins early to check in and be on time for your appointment or you may be turned away and asked to re-book for another day and time, subject to availability.
You must bring a complete application as applications will not be accepted unless all the required documents are provided. Bring hard copies of all required documents and forms, including a recent photo if required. Digital copies of documents will not be accepted.
Payment can only be made by debit, credit or cheque. Cash will not be accepted.
In 2022, you will need to pay a total of $148.27 when applying for your vehicle-for-hire driver licence. This includes the:
The 2022 application fee reduction was approved by Toronto City Council to help the taxicab and limousine industry. City Council also reduced the Accessibility Fund Program fee with this expiring end of 2022.
In 2023, you will need to pay a total of $207.82, when applying for your licence. This includes the:
CPI is calculated by the City’s Finance Division and approved by City Council. It is based on inflationary pressures for different expenditure categories. CPI applies to all licence categories.
Applicants must provide an original Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check issued by a Canadian Police Service within 280 days prior to the application.
A valid Province of Ontario Class G (or higher) driver’s licence. Drivers need to have a minimum of three years of driving experience.
A copy of the applicant’s driving record abstract: a three year driving history recorded by the Ministry of Transportation. This record should be less than 30 days old.
A photo of the applicant must be submitted with all other required application documents. It is essential that the photo provided complies with the Licence Application Photo Requirements. Failure to do so may result in delayed or rejected applications.
The City has developed criteria to recognize accessible training programs delivered through third-party providers (educational institutions, municipal organizations, public or non-profit training organizations and licensed taxicab brokerages) for Accessible Endorsements on Vehicle-for-Hire Driver licences.
The City has approved the following providers to provide accessibility training:
The City has approved the following provider to provide accessibility refresher training, required every four years:
Vehicle-for-Hire Driver Applicants who present a certificate of successful completion of recognized programs to the Licence and Permit Issuing Office will be eligible to receive or maintain an Accessible Endorsement on their City of Toronto Vehicle-for-Hire Driver’s licence.
If you are currently working on the TTC Wheel-Trans contract, please contact your brokerage about your four year refresher requirement.
The City shall deny an application for, or a renewal of a vehicle-for-hire driver and Private Transportation Company (PTC) driver licence, and no PTC shall allow a person to act as a PTC Driver where the licensee or applicant has:
a) Been convicted at any time of a sexual offence against a minor or a person with a disability under any of sections 151 to 153.1 of the Criminal Code
b) Been convicted of any sexual offence under the Criminal Code in the preceding ten years
c) Been convicted of an offence under the following Criminal Code sections in the preceding five years:
i. 84 to 117.15 (Firearms and Other Weapons)
ii. 264.1 to 286.1 (Offences Against the Person)
iii. 321 to 378 (Offences Against Rights of Property)
iv. 379 to 462 (Fraudulent Transactions, Wilful and Forbidden Acts of Certain Property, Offences Relating to Currency)
v. 462.3 to 462.5 (Proceeds of Crime)
d) Been convicted at any time of an offence under the following Criminal Code sections:
i. 83.01 to 83.33 (Terrorism)
ii. 219 to 248 (Major Offences Against the Person)
iii. 267, 268, 270.01, 272, 273 (Major Assaults or Major Sexual Assaults)
e) Been convicted of an offence under the following Controlled Drugs and Substances Act sections in the preceding ten years:
i. 5 (Trafficking)
ii. 6 (Importing and exporting)
iii. 7 (Production)
iv. 7.1 (Possession for use in production or trafficking)
f) Been convicted of any offence under section 4 (Possession or obtaining) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in the preceding five years
g) Been convicted of five or more offences under Chapter 545 or 546 of the Toronto Municipal Code in the preceding three years
h) Any overdue by-law fines, unless the applicant provides proof that such fines have been subsequently paid.
i) Been convicted of any offence under sections 249, 252, or 253 of the Criminal Code (Motor Vehicles, Vessels, and Aircraft) in the preceding five years
j) Accumulated nine or more demerit points on his or her driving record abstract at the time the application for a licence or renewal is made
k) Been convicted of any of the following offences under the Highway Traffic Act in the preceding five years:
i. Careless driving
ii. Racing or stunt driving
iii. Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/hour or more
iv. Failing to stop for a school bus or when signaled or asked by a police officer
v. Failing to remain at the scene of a collision
vi. Driving while licence suspended
Despite these screening criteria, if a licence has been previously issued or renewed and the applicant’s or licensee’s record discloses no new breach of the screening criteria, the licence may be issued or renewed without the matter being referred to the Toronto Licensing Tribunal.
These screening criteria do not apply to any offence for which a licensee or applicant has been granted a criminal record suspension (i.e. a pardon) by the Parole Board of Canada.
Your licence will expire annually on the anniversary of the date that the licence was first issued. A renewal notice, identifying any documents required to renew the licence, will be mailed to the address on file. Drivers will have to complete the new driver training program before renewing their licence in 2023. Licences will not be renewed if this training is not completed. Learn more about the six approved driver training programs.
In 2022, you will need to pay a total of $81.96 when renewing your vehicle-for-hire driver licence. This includes the:
The 2022 renewal fee reduction was approved by Toronto City Council to help the taxicab and limousine industry. City Council also reduced the Accessibility Fund Program fee with this expiring end of 2022.
In 2023, you will need to pay a total of $137.26, when renewing your licence. This includes the:
CPI is calculated by the City’s Finance Division and approved by City Council. It is based on inflationary pressures for different expenditure categories. CPI applies to all licence categories.
Existing licensees must renew their licences online. Licence renewal fees can be paid online or by sending a cheque.
Please have all required documents ready to upload before starting the renewal, as it requires 10-15 minutes to complete and cannot be saved. Download a step by step guide on how to renew a licence or permit.
Find your outstanding business licence or permit renewal invoice.
If you fail to renew your licence according to the bylaw, your licence will be cancelled and you will have to reapply.