Vehicles for Hire

The City of Oshawa has a comprehensive by-law that modernizes the City's standards for our local Vehicle-for-Hire (V.F.H.) industry, including Taxis, Transportation Network Companies (e.g. Uber, Lyft, etc.), Designated Driving (D.D.) Services, and Limousines. The Vehicle-for-Hire By-law is available online.

Currently licensed operators

Lists of currently licensed companies and brokers are available online:

Taxicab Brokers - Blue Line Durham Region Inc. and City Wide Taxi
Designated Driving (D.D.) Brokers - No companies/brokers licensed at this time
Limousine Owners - No companies/brokers licensed at this time
Transportation Network Companies - Uber and Lyft

Who needs a licence?

City-licensed Drivers (people who drive taxicabs, limousines and D.D.s)
D.D. Brokers
Limousine Owners
Taxicab Brokers
Taxicab Owners
Transportation Network Companies (T.N.C.s)

T.N.C. drivers (e.g. Uber and Lyft drivers) do not require a City licence. T.N.C.s must screen their drivers based on the City’s criteria.

How to apply?

Drivers (taxicab, limousine, and D.D.)

People who drive taxicabs, limousines, or for D.D. services must have a City-licensed Driver licence. This licence does not apply to T.N.C. drivers (T.N.C.s screen their drivers on behalf of the City). You can apply for or renew your City-licensed Driver licence online. You can also apply by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

The annual licence fee is $75.

To apply for a licence, you will have to submit the following:

Completed application
Driver’s Licence (minimum Class “G”)
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
Driver’s Abstract (dated within 30 days of the application)
Proof of completion of an approved training program if applying for an accessible driver endorsement
D.D. Drivers who are registering vehicles only:
- Proof of insurance: Ontario Standard Automobile Insurance Policy with third party liability limit of at least $2,000,000.00
- Vehicle Ownership

Applicants must:

Hold a valid Ontario Class ‘G’ (minimum) Driver’s Licence
Have a current “Level” 2 Police Record Check (dated within 30 days of application)
Have a current driver’s abstract (dated within 30 days of application)
Have completed an approved training program if they are applying for an accessible driver endorsement

Taxicab Brokers and Owners

People or companies who hold Taxicab Broker licences operate licensed taxicab vehicles. You can apply for or renew your Taxicab Broker licence online. You can also apply by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

The annual Taxicab Broker licence fee is $250.

To apply for a licence, you will have to submit the following:

Completed application
Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Status for the corporation
List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
Proof of Insurance:
- Commercial General Liability Insurance policy that:
  - Includes a limit of liability of not less than $2,000,000.00 per accident or occurrence; and,
  - Names the Taxicab Broker and/or owner(s) and the City as Additional Insured(s)

The Plate Issuance Eligibility List (P.I.E.L.) tracks who may be eligible for a Taxicab Owner licence. Note: The P.I.E.L. and plate limits do not apply to Accessible Taxicabs. You can apply for your Taxicab Owner licence online. You can also apply by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

The annual Taxicab Owner licence fee is $250.

To apply for a licence, you will have to submit the following:

Completed application
Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Status for the corporation
List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
Proof of Insurance:
- Ontario Standard Automobile Insurance policy with third party liability limit of at least $2,000,000
Vehicle Ownership
Safety Certificate and Passenger Light Duty Inspection Report (dated within 36 days of the application)

To have your name added to the Plate Issuance Eligibility List (P.I.E.L.) you must contact the Licensing Department for application details and requirements.

Please contact Licensing Services if you require a Change of Vehicle Application.

T.N.C.s

Transportation Network Companies (T.N.C.s) are companies that connect paying passengers with drivers of private vehicles-for-hire solely through a mobile app. Examples of T.N.C.s include Uber and Lyft. The annual fee for a T.N.C. licence depends on the number of affiliated drivers.

Fee Structure
Number of Drivers	Fee
1-100	$5,000
101-500	$10,000
501-1000	$15,000
1001+	$50,000

T.N.C.s must also pay the City a Per Trip Fee of $0.20 for each ride started in Oshawa.

Please note that the City invoices all fees for T.N.C.s.

You can apply for or renew your T.N.C. licence online. You can also apply by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

To apply for a licence, you will have to submit the following:

Completed application
Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Status for the corporation
List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
Proof of Insurance:
- Insurance product approved by the Finance Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, which the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in their sole discretion deems adequate
List of all T.N.C. Drivers who have picked up passengers in the city (to be submitted at a frequency as determined by the Director)

D.D. Brokers

Designated Driving (D.D.) Services involve the transportation of a vehicle owned by a person (and passengers) by a Designated Driver. D.D. Brokers are the people or companies who arrange the D.D. Services.

You can apply for or renew your D.D. Broker licence online. You can also apply by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

The annual D.D. Broker licence fee is $250.

To apply for a licence, you will have to submit the following:

Completed application
Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Status for the corporation
List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
Proof of Insurance:
- Commercial General Liability insurance policy that:
  - Includes a limit of liability of not less than $2,000,000.00 per accident or occurrence
  - Names the D.D. Broker and/or owner(s) and the City as Additional Insured(s); and
  - Has a non-owned automobile liability in an amount of not less than $1,000,000.00 per occurrence

Limousine Owners

Limousines are vehicles (not including taxicabs) used for pre-arranged transportation services. They operate on an hourly, daily or weekly basis. This includes services like companion drivers and traditional limousine providers.

You can apply for or renew your Limousine Owner licence online. You can also apply by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

The annual Limousine Owner licence fee is $250.

To apply for a licence, you will have to submit the following:

Completed application
Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
Certificate of Status for the corporation
List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
Proof of Insurance:
- Ontario Standard Automobile Insurance policy with third party liability limit of at least $2,000,000.00
Vehicle Ownership
Safety Certificate and Passenger Light Duty Inspection Report (dated within 36 days of the application)

Operating standards

Vehicle-for-Hire By-law 31-2022 details the operating standards for each type of Vehicle-for-Hire.

Examples of operating standards include:

Transportation Network Company drivers cannot pick up passengers at taxi stands or accept street hails;
Vehicles older than 10 years cannot be used as a Vehicle-for-Hire;
Drivers driving accessible vehicles must provide priority service to people using wheelchairs, regardless of prior requests for service;
Taxicab drivers must follow specific rules for the use of their meters;
Taxicab Owners must affix City plates to their vehicles
Transportation Network Companies must screen their drivers annually;
Designated Driver Brokers must maintain records following the City’s specific requirements in the By-law.

Please refer to Vehicle-for-Hire By-law 31-2022 for a complete list of operating standards.

If you have any comments or concerns related to Accessible Taxicab services, please email Licensing Services with the following information:

Your contact information for follow up, including your name, phone number, and email
Any relevant information about the vehicle and your trip, such as plate number, the date and time of your trip or service delay, etc.
Any other relevant comments about the concern

Taxicab tariff rates

Rates include Harmonized Sales Tax. All taxicabs must prominently display tariff cards.

Taxicab Tariff Rates
Taxicab Tariffs	Rate
First 132 metres or part thereof	$3.90
Each additional 128 metres or part thereof	$0.25
Waiting time while under engagement, for each 33.1 seconds	$0.25
For each package or piece of luggage handled by driver in excess of four (4) pieces	$0.30
Wheelchairs, walkers, etc.	No charge
Debit Service Charge	Up to $1.75