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.
Licence application or renewal
Apply online for a business licence or renewal. Renewals must be submitted at least 30 days before the licence expires.
Requirements and fees
-
Business
Licence requirements for owner
- All current legal documents, including:
- Articles of incorporation
- Legal names, including government photo identification and addresses for all directors and officers with signing authority
- If born outside of Canada, confirmation that applicant is legally entitled to work in Canada
- Letter outlining number of signatures required for financial and administrative items
- Criminal record and judicial matters check obtained within 60 days
- Certificate of Insurance confirming $5 million liability and indemnifying Niagara Region
- List of full legal names of all persons who hold a vehicle licence and driver’s licence affiliated with the business
Fee for vehicle for hire business
- $155
-
Driver
Licence requirements
- Two pieces of government issued identification. One piece of ID must be photo identification.
- If born outside of Canada, confirmation that applicant is legally entitled to work in Canada, such as a Canadian passport, permanent resident card, work permit (no social insurance cards)
- 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 30 days
- Criminal record and judicial matters check obtained within 60 days
- Letter of employment from vehicle for hire business, including confirmation of driver training
- Colour photograph (headshot, blank background, no hats or glasses) taken within six months
Fees for vehicle for hire driver
- 12 month initial - $60
- 12 month renewal - $40
- One month initial - $10
- One month renewal - $10
- Six month initial - $30
- Six month renewal - $20
Renew within 30 days of expiry.
-
Vehicle
Licence requirements
- All current legal documents, including:
- Articles of incorporation
- Legal names, including government photo identification and addresses for all directors and officers with signing authority
- If born outside of Canada, confirmation that applicant is legally entitled to work in Canada
- Letter outlining number of signatures required for financial and administrative items
- Criminal record and judicial matters check obtained within 60 days
- Certificate of Insurance confirming $2 million liability and indemnifying Niagara Region:
- Up to seven passengers: $2 million liability
- Eight to 12 passengers: $5 million liability
- 13 or more passengers: $8 million liability
- Evidence of O.E.F. 6A - Permission to carry passengers (if the vehicle being used is a personal vehicle)
- Vehicle ownership
- Motor vehicle safety check - under seven passengers (not required if vehicle is less than three years old and less than 40,000 kms)
- Annual or semi annual Ontario Motor Vehicle Inspection Certificate - eight or more passengers
- If propane or natural gas: Inspection certificate within 30 days
Fees for vehicle
- Initial vehicle plate - $1,350
- Renewal vehicle plate - $270
- Vehicle plate - $270 (extra plate existing licence)
- Initial spare plate - $650
- Renewal spare plate - $310
- Transfer vehicle plate - $1,350
- Replacement vehicle plate - $12
- Replacement vehicle - $105
- Vehicle plate non-use status (relevant renewal rate will apply upon reactivation)
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
