Vehicle for Hire Vehicle Licensing

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Licensing Your Vehicle for Hire

To safeguard fair competition, and service quality and also encourage open innovation, the City of Edmonton has the responsibility to review and ensure good running conditions, and the number of vehicles operating in the city. Owners are required to obtain a vehicle licence for each vehicle.

Need a Vehicle For Hire Driver's Licence?

Find the details on obtaining and renewing vehicle-for-hire driver's licences.

Vehicle Licensing

A City of Edmonton-issued vehicle licence is required for the following vehicles for hire operating in the City of Edmonton:

Taxis and Accessible Taxis
Limousines
Shuttles
Private Transportation Provider vehicles

A City of Edmonton-issued vehicle licence is not required for vehicles operating for transportation network companies.

Notes:

Each vehicle can only be issued one type of vehicle licence.
Vehicles are licensed and regulated by the City to ensure that the vehicle for hire is a safe option for travel
You can apply for a vehicle licence by submitting your application documents to businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca
A mechanical inspection of the vehicle is required annually and is the owner's responsibility
A current and valid Mechanical Inspection Certificate Form must be kept in the vehicle at all times

A City of Edmonton-issued vehicle licence does not preclude the need for having an up-to-date and registered Government of Alberta licence.

Licensing Requirements

Vehicle Licensing Application Form
Application Fees
An agreement with a dispatcher which states that they will provide dispatch services for vehicle
Bill of Sale or other proof of ownership interest. The licensee must be at least a part owner of the vehicle
Provincial Class 1-55 Registration Certificate
Proof of valid insurance policy

Vehicle Marking Requirements

The dispatcher’s name or trade dress, telephone number, and vehicle unit number need to be displayed on the exterior of the vehicle for taxis, accessible taxis, and shuttles
Any equipment or marking visible from the exterior that makes a private transportation provider or transportation network company vehicle resemble a taxi or accessible taxi is not permitted
A transportation network vehicle must show the dispatcher’s name or company logo on the vehicle, but it:
- Must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle (on the windshield, hood, or trunk); and
- Cannot be smaller than 8cm x 8cm or larger than 20cm x 20cm
Private transportation provider drivers will be issued a sticker which must be placed directly on the front windshield in the lower corner on the passenger side of the vehicle

Vehicle Substitution

Step 1: Complete the Vehicle Substitution/Dispatcher Change Form

Step 2: Send your documents* (vehicle registration, vehicle insurance, bill of sale/other proof of ownership interest) to the Edmonton Service Centre:

Email to businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca
Mail or drop off at:
Edmonton Service Centre
2nd Floor, Edmonton Tower
10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T5J 0J4

Applications are generally processed within five (5) business days. All applications are processed in the order in which they are received. Applications will not be processed in person.

Step 3: Once your application has been processed, you will receive an invoice.

Step 4: Pay the application fee and email the service team at businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca to notify them that the payment has been made.

Step 5: You will receive an email for following up.

*The licensee must be at least a part owner of the vehicle.

Change of Dispatchers

Step 1: Complete the Vehicle Substitution/Dispatcher Change Form

Step 2: Send your documents (vehicle registration, vehicle insurance, proof of valid agreement with a dispatch licensee) to the Edmonton Service Centre:

Email to businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca
Mail or drop off at:
Edmonton Service Centre
2nd Floor, Edmonton Tower
10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T5J 0J4

Applications are generally processed within five (5) business days. All applications are processed in the order in which they are received. Applications will not be processed in person.

Step 3: Once your application has been processed, you will receive an invoice.

Step 4: Pay the application fee and email the service team at businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca to notify them that the payment has been made.

Step 5: You will receive an email for following up.

Plate Transferring

Before transferring your City-issued taxi plate to another vehicle or owner, you must submit an application which must be approved by the City. All plates are owned by the City of Edmonton and cannot be transferred except as allowed in the Vehicle For Hire Bylaw .

The transferee must comply with all requirements for the vehicle licence, as provided under section 26 of the Vehicle For Hire Bylaw .

The following are the steps of the transferal process:

Step 1: Fill out the Consent to Transfer form and sign in front of a commissioner for oaths.

Step 2: Send your documents to the Edmonton Service Centre:

Email to businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca, or
Mail or drop off at:
Edmonton Service Centre
2nd Floor, Edmonton Tower
10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton AB T5J 0J4

Applications are generally processed within five (5) business days. All applications are processed in the order in which they are received. Applications and renewals will not be processed in person.

Step 3: Once your application has been taken in, you will receive an invoice.

Step 4: Pay the licensing fee and email the service team to notify them that the payment has been made.

Step 5: The transfer is reviewed and processed by the City.

Step 6: The approved transfer document and your licence will be mailed to you.

Contact Us

Vehicle for Hire Inquiries

Mailing Address

2nd floor, 10111 104 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB
T5J 0J4

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311

Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Email	vehicleforhire@edmonton.ca

Licence Applications

Email	businesslicenceapplications@edmonton.ca