Business Licensing for Vehicle for Hire

Vehicle for hire businesses include:

Shuttle
Speciality
Caleche
Sightseeing

By-law No. 2021-58 licences, regulates and governs vehicles for hire that provide services to all persons within Niagara.

Caleche operations update

The sections of By-law No. 2021-58 related to caleche are under review. In the meantime, staff will use the following temperature guidelines for caleche operations:

Operations will stop if the outside temperature is -20 C or colder (excluding windchill)
Operations will stop if the outside temperature is 35 C or hotter (excluding humidex)

Licence application or renewal

Apply online for a business licence or renewal. Renewals must be submitted at least 30 days before the licence expires.

Apply or renew a licence

Requirements and fees

Business
Licence requirements for owner
- If the applicant is a corporation, all current articles of incorporation for the corporation
- All current legal documents showing the registered business name of the applicant, if applicable
- The full legal names and signatures of all persons having signing authority for the applicant corporation, if applicable. This includes a letter outlining the number of signatures required for financial and administrative functions.
- Certificate of Commercial General Liability Insurance in the amount of $5 million and naming Niagara Region as insured
- List of full legal names of all persons who hold a vehicle licence and driver's licence affiliated with the business
- Current commercial vehicle operator's registration, if applicable
Fee for vehicle for hire business
- Initial, renewal and transfer of business - $176.40
Driver
Licence requirements
- Two pieces of government issued identification. One piece of ID must be photo identification.
- Unrestricted Class G Ontario driver's licence or class of licence required to drive size of vehicle. Not required for caleche operators.
- Ministry of Transportation three-year uncertified driver's abstract obtained within 60 days. Not required for caleche operators.
- Criminal record and judicial matters check obtained within 60 days
- Letter of employment with a licensed vehicle for hire company including confirmation of driver training
- Colour photo similar to a passport photo requirement (headshot, blank background, no hats or glasses) taken within six months
Fees for vehicle for hire driver

Shuttle, sightseeing, specialty:
- 12 month initial - $71.40
- Six month initial - $38.85
- One month initial - $16.80
- 12 month renewal - $49.35
- Six month renewal - $26
- One month renewal - $16.80
Caleche:
- 12 month initial - $71.40
- Six month initial - $38.85
- One month initial - $16.80
- 12 month renewal - $49.35
- Six month renewal - $26
- One month renewal - $16.80
Renewal fee only applies if application is submitted 30 days before expiry for 12 month and six month licences, and 10 days before expiry for one month licence.
Vehicle
Licence requirements

Shuttle, sightseeing, specialty:
- Certificate of Vehicle Liability Insurance in the amount of:
- Evidence of O.E.F. 6A - Permission to carry passengers for compensation endorsement
- Vehicle ownership
- Motor vehicle safety check for under seven passengers. Not required if vehicle is less than three years old and less than 40,000 kilometres.
- Annual or semi-annual Ontario Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificate for eight or more passengers
- If propane or natural gas, inspection certificate within 30 days
Caleche:
- Photo of horse
- Verification of affiliation with a licensed business
- Vet inspection records for horse health
Fees for vehicle or carriage

Shuttle, sightseeing, specialty:
- 12 month initial vehicle plate - $1,533
- Six month initial vehicle plate - $766.50
- One month initial vehicle plate - $352.80
- 12 month renewal vehicle plate - $308.74
- Six month renewal vehicle plate - $154.35
- One month renewal vehicle plate - $60.90
- 12 month extra vehicle plate - $308.74 (existing business)
- Six month extra vehicle plate - $154.35 (existing business)
- One month extra vehicle plate - $60.90 (existing business)
- Initial spare plate - $750
- Renewal spare plate - $375
- Transfer vehicle plate - $1,533
- Replacement vehicle plate - $16.80
- Replacement vehicle - $121.80
- Vehicle plate non-use status (relevant renewal rate will apply upon reactivation)
Caleche:
- 12 month licence - $38.85
- Six month licence - $22.05
- One month licence - $16.90
- 12 month initial carriage plate - $454.63
- Six month initial carriage plate - $226.80
- One month initial carriage plate - $135.45
- 12 month renewal carriage plate - $248.85
- Six month renewal carriage plate - $130.20
- One month renewal carriage plate - $75.60
- Transfer carriage plate - $454.65
- 12 month extra carriage plate - $248.85 (existing business)
- Six month extra carriage plate - $130.20 (existing business)
- One month extra carriage plate - $75.60 (existing business)