If you drive a taxicab or limousine, you must obtain a vehicle-for-hire driver licence.
Note: Please apply for new licences through the online licensing portal as the City is only accepting online applications at this time. Learn more about how to apply.
Individuals can apply.
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.
The 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:
Applications must include two pieces of government-issued identification (one must be photo ID):
Note:
Please apply for new licences through the online licensing portal. Only online applications will be accepted.
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.
In 2025, you will need to pay a total of $222.01, 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.
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 eligible.
Applications for the Accessibility Fund Program for services offered in 2023 are now being accepted. Please submit the Declaration Form for Vehicle-For-Hire Drivers and Taxicab Owners to accessibilityfundprogram@toronto.ca.
Deadline to submit Declarations will be May 10, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.
Questions can be directed to: accessibilityfundprogram@toronto.ca
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 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 or sections 320.13 to 320.18 (Offence Relating to Conveyances) (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.
December 4, 2023
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.
In 2025, you will need to pay a total of $145.69, 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.