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
- 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 - $160
-
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 30 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 - $65
- Six month initial - $35
- One month initial - $15
- 12 month renewal - $45
- Six month renewal - $25
- One month renewal - $15
Caleche:
- 12 month initial - $65
- Six month initial - $35
- One month initial - $15
- 12 month renewal - $35
- Six month renewal - $20
- One month renewal - $15
Renewal fee only applies if application is submitted 30 days before expiry for 12 month and 6 month licences, and 10 days before expiry for 1 month licence.
-
Vehicle
Licence requirements
Shuttle, sightseeing, specialty:
- Certificate of Vehicle Liability Insurance in the amount of:
- 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 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 - $1,390
- Six month initial vehicle plate - $695
- One month initial vehicle plate - $320
- 12 month renewal vehicle plate - $280
- Six month renewal vehicle plate - $140
- One month renewal vehicle plate - $55
- 12 month extra vehicle plate - $280 (existing business)
- Six month extra vehicle plate - $140 (existing business)
- One month extra vehicle plate - $55 (existing business)
- Initial spare plate - $670
- Renewal spare plate - $320
- Transfer vehicle plate - $1,390
- Replacement vehicle plate - $15
- Replacement vehicle - $110
- Vehicle plate non-use status (relevant renewal rate will apply upon reactivation)
Caleche:
- 12 month licence - $35
- Six month licence - $20
- One month licence - $15
- 12 month initial carriage plate - $385
- Six month initial carriage plate - $190
- One month initial carriage plate - $110
- 12 month renewal carriage plate - $195
- Six month renewal carriage plate - $100
- One month renewal carriage plate - $55
- Transfer carriage plate - $385
- 12 month extra carriage plate - $195 (existing business)
- Six month extra carriage plate - $100 (existing business)
- One month extra carriage plate - $55 (existing business)
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
