Taxi, Limousine and TNCs
All taxi drivers, Transportation Network Company (TNC) drivers, taxi brokers, independent brokers and TNCs must be licensed to operate in the municipality.
Becoming a driver, broker or TNC
The following links offer information on how to apply to be a taxi or independent broker or TNC:
A customer or business account with the municipality’s Customer Portal is required to apply. These accounts are free to create. Once created, the appropriate application can be completed. Visit the Applying for a License page for more details.
| TNC Annual Fees | 1-10 Vehicles | 11-25 Vehicles | 26-100 Vehicles | 100+ Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TNC Annual Fees | 1-10 Vehicles | 11-25 Vehicles | 26-100 Vehicles | 100+ Vehicles |
| TNC Annual Cost | $2,390 | $5,930 | $17,730 | $29,520 |
| Taxi Broker | No limit on vehicles | |||
| Taxi Broker Annual Cost | $390 | |||
| Independent Broker | No limit on vehicles | |||
| Independent Broker Annual Cost | $390 | |||
| Taxi Driver's License | Only one permitted | |||
| Taxi Driver's License Annual Fee | $100 | |||
| Taxi Owner's License | Only one permitted | |||
| Taxi Owner's License Fee (every 2 years) | $50 |
- What is a TNC and which ones operate in the municipality?
TNC stands for Transportation Network Company. These companies provide prearranged transportation services for compensation within the municipality using any software, application, telecommunications platform or digital network to connect passengers with TNC drivers.
TNCs currently approved to operate in HRM are as follows:
- Uber Canada Inc.
- Lyft
- URide
- What is a TNC driver?
A TNC driver is someone who receives dispatched calls from a TNC through an online platform, offering transportation for passengers for compensation.
Applications to become a TNC driver are done directly through the respective TNC, not the municipality. See the Application information for TNCs and TNC drivers page for more details.
- What is a taxi driver?
A licensed driver is authorized to operate a vehicle for hire, limousine, or accessible taxi within the municipality. A driver is eligible to drive for a licensed owner operating as an independent broker or through dispatch from a taxi brokerage.
- What is an owner's license?
An owner's license is required for a vehicle that will be used as a vehicle for hire, issued to the owner on the registration permit from Nova Scotia Motor Vehicles. For a vehicle to be used in the municipality, the owner must hold an Owner's licence and a driver's licence issued by the municipality to operate.
- What is a Taxi Broker or Independent Broker and which ones operate in the municipality?
A broker is a person or company that provides dispatch service to taxis and accessible taxis in the municipality.
Currently the municipality has five brokers:
- Bob’s Taxi
- Casino Taxi
- Satellite Taxi
- Yellow Cab
- Extra Care - Accessible Service
An independent broker is a person who holds a taxi owner's licence and driver's licence and does not subscribe to a dispatch service that would be provided by a broker. This includes all independent taxi owners who may have one or multiple vehicles in their fleet.
What do taxi brokers, independent brokers and TNCs require to be licensed in HRM?
Brokers, independent brokers and TNCs are required to be licensed as a Broker or TNC and pay a licensing fee annually. They must enter into a Data Share Agreement upon initial application as a Broker or TNC and provide the Licensing Authority with quarterly reporting of data on trips.