Business Licensing for Transportation Network Companies

A transportation network company is any person who offers, operates or facilitates pre-arranged transportation services for compensation using any software or application or telecommunications platform to communicate with passengers. This doesn't include taxicab owners.

By-law No. 2021-57 licences, regulates and governs transportation network companies, drivers and vehicles that provide services to all persons within Niagara.

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

  • Broker

    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 liability 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

    Fees for transportation network companies

    • Application - $168
    • Fleet size 1 - 24 vehicles - $1,145
    • Fleet size 25 - 99 vehicles - $5,723
    • Fleet size 100 - 499 vehicles - $11,435
    • Fleet size 500 - 999 vehicles - $17,157
    • Fleet size 1000+ vehicles - $56,910
    • Per trip charge - $0.16

    Licensed transportation network companies

    • Lyft Canada Inc.
    • Scoot TNC
    • Uber Canada Inc.
    • Zoom Innovations Inc.
  • Driver

    Driver licence requirements

    • Two pieces of government issued identification. One piece of ID must be photo identification.
    • Unrestricted Class G Ontario driver's licence
    • Ministry of Transportation three-year uncertified driver's abstract obtained within 60 days
    • Criminal record and judicial matters check obtained within 60 days
    • Colour photo similar to a passport photo requirement (headshot, blank background, no hats or glasses) taken within six months

    Vehicle licence requirements

    • Vehicle ownership (both sides). If not the owner, a letter permitting use of vehicle for ridesharing is required.
    • Certificate of Insurance showing $2 million liability (Vehicle Insurance Policy, including the vehicle insured, the policy number, duration of coverage and your name as insured)
    • Motor vehicle safety valid for 36 days or screenshot of odometer if less than 20,000 kilometres
    • Based on the year appearing on the motor vehicle permit or ownership as issued by the Ministry of Transportation, if the vehicle is:
      • Less than two years of age and has less than 20,000 kilometres on its odometer, a safety is not required
      • Between two and seven years of age or has more than 20,000 kilometres on the odometer, a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate, issued not less than 36 days from the date submitted to the licensing officer, confirming the vehicle has passed the applicable safety inspection, is required annually; or,
      • Greater than seven years of age, or has more than 140,000 kilometres on the odometer, a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate issued not less than 36 days from the date submitted to the licensing officer, confirming the vehicle has passed the applicable safety inspection, is required every six months

    Fees for transportation network company driver

    • Driver initial - $68
    • Driver renewal - $47

    Driver renewal fee applies if renewed before expiry. To avoid delay, applications for licence renewals must be submitted 30 days before expiry date.

    If you are changing the vehicle currently being used, you must licence the new vehicle with Business Licensing before using it for transportation network companies service.

  • Vehicle

    Licence requirements

    • Vehicle ownership (both sides). If not the owner, a letter permitting use of vehicle for ridesharing is required.
    • Certificate of Insurance showing $2 million liability (Vehicle Insurance Policy, including the vehicle insured, the policy number, duration of coverage and your name as insured)
    • For loyal transportation applicants only: Evidence of O.E.F. 6A - Permission to carry passengers for compensation endorsement for loyal transportation on your personal vehicle insurance policy
    • Motor vehicle safety valid for 36 days or screenshot of odometer if less than 20,000 kilometres
    • Based on the year appearing on the motor vehicle permit or ownership as issued by the Ministry of Transportation, if the vehicle is:
      • Less than two years of age and has less than 20,000 kilometres on its odometer, a safety is not required
      • Between two and seven years of age or has more than 20,000 kilometres on the odometer, a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate, issued not less than 36 days from the date submitted to the licensing officer, confirming the vehicle has passed the applicable safety inspection, is required annually; or,
      • Greater than seven years of age, or has more than 140,000 kilometres on the odometer, a valid motor vehicle inspection certificate issued not less than 36 days from the date submitted to the licensing officer, confirming the vehicle has passed the applicable safety inspection, is required every six months

    Fees for transportation network company vehicles

    • $25 for each transportation network company

    If the vehicle is being operated by two or more transportation network company drivers, the vehicle permit expiry and safety certificate, revert to original permit holder expiry dates.

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