Taxicab and Other Vehicles for Hire Licences

You must have a valid Township of North Huron vehicle for hire driver’s licence to operate a vehicle for hire (taxicab, accessible taxicab, group transportation vehicle, or limousine) in North Huron. In addition to the driver’s licence, each vehicle requires a separate licence.

To licence a driver or a vehicle, an application is required be submitted to the Clerk’s Department on an annual basis and an annual licence fee must be paid. Every licence issued by the Township of North Huron must be renewed annually on or before the 31^stday of January.

To operate a vehicle for hire in North Huron, you must meet all conditions in the Township of North Huron’s Taxi By-law. If the provisions of the Taxi By-law are not met, the licence may be revoked or cancelled by the Licencing Officer. The Licencing Officer may also refuse to grant a licence or renew a licence if the applicant has not satisfied all of the requirements of the Taxi By-law.

For an official version of the Taxi By-law or if you are ready to submit a licence application, please contact the Clerk’s Department at 519-357-3550.

What is a Vehicle for Hire?

A “vehicle for hire” refers to any a motor vehicle that is conveying or available for conveying one or more persons in exchange for a fee or other consideration. This includes taxicabs, accessible taxicabs, group transportation vehicles, and limousines.

A “taxicab” is defined as a motor vehicle, other than a carpool vehicle, having a seating capacity of not less than five adult persons and not more than seven adult persons, including the driver, which vehicle is for hire, kept or used for the conveyance of passengers wholly or partly within the Township of North Huron but does not include vehicles operated by non-profit organizations for the purpose of transporting disabled persons, or public vehicles as defined under the Public Vehicles Act, or successor legislation.

An “accessible taxicab” means a class of taxicab which is designed or modified to be used for the purpose of transporting persons with disabilities and is used for that purpose, whether or not the vehicle is also used to transport persons without disabilities and that is licenced as an Accessible Taxicab by the Township of North Huron.

A “group transportation vehicle” refers to a van, minivan, minibus or sports utility motor vehicle with a seating capacity for not less than six and not more than ten individuals that is available for or providing a Conveyance Service, but does not include a Taxicab, Accessible Taxicab or Limousine.

A “limousine” is defined as an executive or stretch luxury motor vehicle that carries up to fourteen passengers which is kept or used for hire for the conveyance of passengers on an hourly basis or for a fixed fee between given locations.

General Licencing Requirements

All applicants for any vehicle for hire licence must

Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Be either a citizen of Canada or a permanent resident or hold a work permit to work as a driver issued by the Government of Canada.
Hold, in their name, a current, valid Class A, B, C, D, E, F or G driver’s licence issued by the Province of Ontario, which is in good standing according to the records of the Ministry of Transportation.
Be familiar with the provisions of the Township of North Huron Taxi By-law, the laws and regulations relating to traffic, and the geography of that portion of the Township in which they intend to provide a conveyance service.
Intend to carry on a regular business under authority of the licence applied for.
Satisfy the Township’s Licencing Officer that, if licenced, he/she will operate a conveyance service solely in compliance with the terms of the Taxi-By-law.

Licencing of Vehicle for Hire Drivers

Prior to being licenced as a taxicab, accessible taxicab, group transportation vehicle, or limousine driver, every applicant shall provide to the Licencing Officer

A completed Driver's Application Form.
The licence fee as per the Township’s Fees and Charges By-law, as amended from time to time.
A copy of a valid driver’s licence.
An original Criminal Records Check by the Ontario Provincial Police dated within thirty (30) days of the application for a licence.
An original 3-Year Driving Abstract from the Ministry of Transportation dated within thirty (30) days of the date of application for a licence.
A certified true copy of either a Canadian birth certificate or valid Canadian passport, or proof of permanent resident status or a work permit approved by the Government of Canada.
Two (2) identical passport photos taken no more than thirty (30) days prior to the application.

In respect of an application for an Accessible Taxicab Driver’s licence only, proof of completion of a Wheelchair and Occupant Restraint System Training Program is also required.

Licencing of Vehicle for Hire Vehicles/Companies

Prior to being granted an owner/vehicle licence for a taxicab, accessible taxicab, group transportation vehicle, or limousine every applicant shall provide to the Licencing Officer

A completed Vehicle Application Form.
The licence fee as per the Township’s Fees and Charges By-law, as amended from time to time.
A copy of a valid motor vehicle permit in the applicant’s name for each vehicle as issued by the Ministry of Transportation.
A copy of proof of insurance confirming that each vehicle for which an Owner/Vehicle Licence is being applied, is insured for public liability property damage and passenger hazard, with a minimum of two ($2,000,000.00) million dollars in coverage per incident or occurrence and written confirmation from the insurer that the Licencing Officer will receive at least ten (10) days written notice prior to any cancellation, expiration or variation thereof.
The original of a valid Province of Ontario Safety Standards Certificate dated within thirty (30) days of the application for a licence, for each vehicle greater than one (1) year of age, based on the year appearing on the motor vehicle permit, showing that the vehicle has passed the applicable safety inspection. Where the vehicle is more than ten (10) years old the applicant shall provide the Licencing Officer with a valid Province of Ontario Safety Standards Certificate every six (6) months;
Two (2) pieces of photo I.D.;

In the case of a leased motor vehicle, in addition to all other licencing requirements, the applicant must provide the Licencing Officer with a true copy of the lease agreement and advise the Licencing Officer of any change, extension or cancellation of the lease agreement prior to such change, extension or cancellation.

Tariff of Charges

In 2019, the Council of the Township of North Huron implemented a tariff of charges to ensure that all members of the public are receiving consistency in conveyance service within North Huron. This tariff of charges schedule establishes rates to be charged for the transportation of passengers by all North Huron licenced vehicle for hire drivers.

This tariff of charges is reviewed and updated periodically by the Council of the Township of North Huron to make sure that the established rates align with neighbouring municipalities.

All Township of North Huron licenced drivers are provided with a tariff card setting out the tariff of charges. This card is required to be placed in a location within the vehicle that can be conveniently seen and read by passengers.