Vehicles for Hire

People who drive taxicabs, limousines, or for D.D. services in Oshawa must have a City Licensed Driver Licence. This Licence does not apply to T.N.C. drivers (T.N.C.s screen their drivers on behalf of the City). 

The annual City Licensed Driver Licence fee is $75. You can apply online or by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

To apply for a new or renew a City Licensed Driver Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Ontario Driver’s Licence (minimum Class “G”)
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
• Ministry of Transportation Driver’s Abstract (dated within 30 days of the application)

Please Note: To obtain an Accessible Driver designation on your City Licensed Driver Licence, you must provide proof of completion of an approved accessible driver training program 

 D.D. Driver who is registering a vehicle must also provide:

• Ministry of Transportation Vehicle Ownership 
• Proof of Ontario Standard Automobile Insurance Policy with third party liability limit of not less than $2,000,000 per accident

Apply for a new or renewal of City Licensed Driver Licence 

People or companies who hold a Taxicab Broker Licence dispatch licensed taxicab vehicles.

The annual Taxicab Broker Licence fee is $250. You can apply online or by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

To apply for a new or renew a Taxicab Broker Licence, you must submit the following:

• Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
• Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
• Certificate of Status for the corporation
• List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
• Proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance that:
• Includes a limit of liability of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence; and,
• Names the Taxicab Broker and/or owner(s) as Additional Insured(s)

Apply for a new or renewal of Taxicab Broker Licence

People or companies who hold a Taxicab Owner Licence own licensed taxicab vehicles.

The annual Taxicab Owner Licence fee is $250. You can apply online or by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

To apply for a Taxicab Owner Licence, you must submit the following documents:

• Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
• Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
• Certificate of Status for the corporation
• List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
• Vehicle Ownership
• Proof of Ontario Standard Automobile Insurance with third party liability limit of at least $2,000,000 per accident
• Safety Certificate and Passenger/Light Duty Vehicle Inspection Report (dated within 36 days of the application)

Apply for a new or renewal of Taxicab Owner Licence

The Plate Issuance Eligibility List (P.I.E.L.) tracks who may be eligible for a Taxicab Owner Licence. Note: The P.I.E.L. and plate limits do not apply to Accessible Taxicabs. 

To have your name added to the Plate Issuance Eligibility List (P.I.E.L.) you must contact the Licensing Department for application details and requirements.

Please contact Licensing Services if you require a Change of Vehicle Application.

Transportation Network Companies (T.N.C.s) are companies that connect paying passengers with drivers of private vehicles-for-hire solely through a mobile app. Examples of T.N.C.'s include Uber and Lyft. The annual fee for a T.N.C. Licence depends on the number of affiliated drivers.

T.N.C.'s must also pay the City a Per Trip Fee of $0.20 for each ride started in Oshawa.

Please note that the City invoices all fees for T.N.C.'s.

You can apply online or by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

To apply for a T.N.C. Licence, you must submit the following:

• Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
• Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
• Certificate of Status for the corporation
• List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
• Proof of Insurance:
  • Insurance product approved by the Finance Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, which the Financial Services Regulatory Authority in their sole discretion deems adequate
• List of all T.N.C. Drivers who have picked up passengers in the city (to be submitted at a frequency as determined by the Director)

Apply for a new or renewal of T.N.C. Licence

People or companies who arrange the D.D. Services hold a D.D. Broker Licence Designated Driving (D.D.) Services involve the transportation of a vehicle owned by a person (and passengers) by a Designated Driver. 

The annual D.D. Broker Licence fee is $250. You can apply online or by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

To apply for a D.D. Broker Licence, you must submit the following:

• Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
• Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
• Certificate of Status for the corporation
• List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
• Proof of Commercial General Liability insurance policy that:
• Includes a liability limit of not less than $2,000,000 per occurrence
• Names the D.D. Broker and/or owner(s) as Additional Insured; and
• Has a non-owned automobile liability in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence

Apply for a new or renewal of D.D. Broker Licence

People or companies who arrange Limousine services hold a Limousine Owner Licence Limousines are vehicles (not including taxicabs) used for pre-arranged transportation services. They operate on an hourly, daily or weekly basis. This includes services like companion drivers and traditional limousine providers. 

The annual Limousine Owner Licence fee is $250. You can apply online or by attending the Licensing Services counter at City Hall.

To apply for a Limousine Owner Licence, you must submit the following:

• Proof of Identity (e.g. Driver’s Licence)
• Business Name Registration and/or Articles of Incorporation
• Certificate of Status for the corporation
• List of directors and/or officers (including addresses)
• Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check (dated within 30 days of the application)
• Vehicle Ownership
• Proof of Ontario Standard Automobile Insurance with third party liability limit of not less than $2,000,000 per accident
• Safety Certificate and Passenger/Light Duty Vehicle Inspection Report (dated within 36 days of the application)

Apply for a new or renewal of Limousine Owner Licence