The City of Ottawa’s new Vehicle-For-Hire By-law (By-law 2016-272) went into effect on September 30, 2016.
The Vehicle for Hire By-law is derived from the Taxi Cab and Limousine Regulations Report that was approved by Council in April 2016. This report was created from extensive stakeholder and public consultations conducted in fall 2015.
This new by-law incorporates modernized regulations that allows to Ottawa’s traditional taxi industry to innovate and compete more freely with Private Transportation Companies.
The modernized regulations:
- Reduce the taxi driver license fee by 40 per cent
- Eliminate the $1.50 credit and debit card fee for clients
- Allow taxi companies to offer reduce fair for rides booked through an app
- Waive the taxi driver license fee for accessible taxis
- Eliminate the interior and trunk size requirements for vehicles
- Permit taxi companies to establish their own industry-specific customer training
- Provide exclusive right to taxis for street-hails and use of taxi stands
- Retain exclusivity for Para Transpo services
- Allow for nominal cancellation fees when trips are cancelled at the pick-up address.
Licensing for Drivers, Plate Holders and Dispatch Companies
This service is currently not available in person due to COVID-19 closures.
To apply for, or renew, any form of taxi license, individuals must apply in person at:
By-law & Regulatory Services
Client Service Counter
735 Industrial Avenue
The hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Please review By-law 2016-272, Part II in its entirety prior to applying to ensure you meet all requirements and conditions.
Applicants must bring all the original documentation detailed in the by-law, at the same time, in order to be processed.
Driver applicants will be further required to sign a declaration confirming that they do not have any current outstanding criminal charges or warrants pending before any courts, or any unpaid fines within the Province of Ontario. Failing to disclose charges, warrants and/or fines can result in criminal charges, fines and/or the suspension or termination of licenses.
All licences must be renewed annually by April 30th.