Licences are required for vehicle for hire drivers and their vehicles to ensure passenger and driver safety.

Becoming a Driver

A City of Edmonton-issued Driver’s Licence is required to operate a vehicle for hire in the City of Edmonton. A City Driver’s Licence is required for drivers of:

  • Taxis or accessible taxis
  • Limousines
  • Shuttles
  • Private Transportation Provider (PTP) vehicles

A City Driver’s Licence is not required for drivers operating for Transportation Network Companies. To drive for a Transportation Network Company, please contact the company directly.

Dispatch and Vehicle Licence Fee Reductions

On April 6, 2021, City Council approved a 100% reduction in 2021 dispatch and vehicle licence fees for limousines and a 50% reduction in these fees for all other vehicles for hire. The fee reduction will be automatically applied when licensees renew their licence or apply for a new licence.  For licensees who already received a credit for their 2021 fees, the fee reduction will be applied to their 2022 fees. The fee reductions are one way the City is helping support the industry through the pandemic recovery.

Vehicle for Hire Service Restrictions

Please visit the following web pages for applicable City and Provincial restrictions and guidelines.

Driver's Licence Requirements

To apply for a City of Edmonton Driver’s Licence, please submit the following to businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca:

  • Completed application form
  • 2020 Application Fee (Effective February 4, 2020)
  • Class 1, 2, or 4 provincial operator’s licence
  • A Police Information Check that is not older than 90 days from Edmonton Police Service
  • Photograph

  • Proof of an accessible taxi driver training certification (to be noted on the driver’s licence) if driving an accessible taxi

Screening Criteria for Drivers

Under Section 33.1 of the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw 17400, no person may drive a vehicle for hire if, during the past 10 years, the person was convicted of any of the following offences under the Criminal Code of Canada or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) or the Cannabis Act (Canada):

  • Any offence of a violent nature, including firearms and weapons offences
  • Any offence involving sexual assault, sexual exploitation, sexual interference, procuring or invitation to sexual touching
  • Trafficking
  • Any offence involving fraud or fraudulent transactions, conspiracy to defraud, the use of false pretences, bribery, extortion, or theft; or
  • Any offence relating to the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle

If, when applying for a driver’s licence, an applicant’s police information check reveals a pending charge for any of the offences listed above, the City will impose the following conditions on the licence:

  • The licensee must provide an updated police information check or other documentation at regular intervals to the City until the charges are resolved, and
  • If the licensee is convicted of the charge, the licence will automatically be cancelled without prior notice to the licensee
Driver Responsibilities

Drivers should always:

  • Be kind and courteous
  • Take the most direct route to the passenger’s destination, unless otherwise directed by the passenger
  • Charge a fare that complies with the bylaw, and
  • At the conclusion of each trip, check the vehicle for any personal property apparently left behind by a passenger and make any such property available for retrieval by the passenger

Taxi and Accessible Taxi Drivers are the only vehicle for hire drivers who can accept hails/flags from the street. All other trips must be pre-arranged.

Licensing Your Vehicle for Hire

A vehicle licence is required for the following vehicles for hire operating in the City of Edmonton:

  • Taxis and Accessible Taxis
  • Limousines
  • Shuttles
  • Private Transportation Provider vehicles

A vehicle licence is not required for vehicles operating for transportation network companies.

Each vehicle can only be issued one type of vehicle licence. Vehicles are licensed and regulated by the City to ensure that the vehicle for hire is a safe option for travel.

You can apply for a vehicle licence by submitting your application documents to businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca.

A mechanical inspection of the vehicle is required annually and is the responsibility of the owner. A current and valid Mechanical Inspection Certificate Form must be kept in the vehicle at all times.

Taxi and Accessible Taxi Vehicle Licences
Taxi Vehicle Licence

To apply for a taxi vehicle licence, please submit the following:

  • Application form
  • 2020 Application Fee (Effective February 4, 2020)
  • An agreement with a dispatcher that states that they will provide dispatch services for vehicle
  • Bill of Sale or other proof of ownership interest. The licensee must be at least part owner of the vehicle.
  • Provincial Class 1-55 Registration Certificate
  • Proof of valid insurance policy
Accessible Taxi Vehicle Licence

To apply for an accessible taxi vehicle licence, please submit the following:

  • Application form
  • 2020 Application Fee (Effective February 4, 2020)
  • An agreement with a dispatcher that states that they will provide dispatch services for vehicle
  • Bill of Sale or other proof of ownership interest. The licensee must be at least part owner of the vehicle
  • Provincial Class 1-55 Registration Certificate
  • Proof of valid insurance policy
  • Proof of accessible equipment installation in the vehicles
Transferring Taxi and Accessible Taxi Licences

To apply to transfer a taxi or accessible taxi vehicle licence from one person to another , please submit the following:

The person applying to receive the taxi licence or accessible taxi licence must comply with requirements for the vehicle licence, as provided under section 26 of the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw 17400.

Limousine Licences

To apply for a limousine vehicle licence, please submit the following:

  • Application form
  • 2020 Application Fee (Effective February 4, 2020)
  • An agreement with a dispatcher that states that they will provide dispatch services for vehicle
  • Bill of Sale or other proof of ownership interest. The licensee must be at least part owner of the vehicle
  • Provincial Class 1-55 Registration Certificate
  • Proof of valid insurance policy

  • Proof that the vehicle is either:

    • A stretch sedan or stretch sport utility vehicle of all makes (Ford, Chevrolet, Cadillac, and others) containing a limousine package interior

    • A specialized vehicle (Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes, and similar vehicles) containing a limousine package interior

    • A bus or motorcoach containing a limousine package interior; or

    • A limousine as deemed by the Vehicle for Hire Program Manager (send vehicle information to the Program Manager for review)

The City may request photographs of the exterior or interior of the vehicle to confirm the vehicle meets the requirements to be a limousine. 

Shuttle or Private Transportation Provider Licences
Shuttle Vehicle Licence
To apply for a Shuttle Vehicle Licence, please submit the following:
  • Completed Application Form
  • 2020 Application Fee (Effective February 4, 2020)
  • An agreement with a dispatcher that states that they will provide dispatch services for vehicle
  • Bill of Sale or other proof of ownership interest. The licensee must be at least part owner of the vehicle
  • Provincial Class 1-55 Registration Certificate
  • Proof of valid insurance policy
Private Transportation Provider Licence
To apply for a Private Transportation Provider Licence, please submit the following:
  • Completed Application Form
  • 2020 Application Fee (Effective February 4, 2020)
  • An agreement with a dispatcher that states that they will provide dispatch services for vehicle
  • Bill of Sale or other proof of ownership interest The licensee must be at least part owner of the vehicle
  • Provincial Class 1-55 Registration Certificate
  • Proof of valid insurance policy
Markings on Vehicles For Hire
Private Transportation Provider

Any equipment or marking visible from the exterior that makes the vehicle resemble a taxi or accessible taxi is not permitted.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  1. The words “taxi”, “cab”, or “accessible taxi” on the outside of the vehicle
  2. A top light or meter
  3. Company name, logo, or contact information

Private transportation provider drivers will be issued a sticker to be placed directly on the front windshield in the lower corner on the passenger side of the vehicle.

2019 Vehicle for Hire Sticker

Vehicle for Hire Sticker Example

Transportation Network Vehicle

A transportation network vehicle is allowed limited markings on the vehicle.

The dispatcher’s name or company logo must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle —on the windshield, hood, or trunk— and can’t be smaller than 8cm x 8cm or larger than 20cm x 20cm.

Any equipment or marking visible from the exterior that makes the vehicle resemble a taxi or accessible taxi is not permitted.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  1. The words “taxi”, “cab”, or “accessible taxi” on the outside of the vehicle
  2. A top light or meter
  3. Company name, logo, or contact information
Vehicle and/or Dispatcher Change
Substitute a Vehicle

To apply to change the vehicle, please submit the following:

  • Application form
  • 2020 Application Fee (Effective February 4, 2020)
  • Vehicle Registration
  • Vehicle Insurance
  • Bill of Sale or other proof of ownership interest. The licensee must be at least part owner of the vehicle
Dispatcher Change

To update the dispatcher on your licence, please submit the following: