Applying as a taxi or limousine driver

The following steps must be completed to get a permanent taxi or limousine driver's license in Halifax.

If you have a concern about either your driver abstract or criminal record report, please email the Taxi Office or by contacting 311 before completing the English test or applying.

Step One:

You will need to successfully complete an English language proficiency test that is equivalent to a minimum of a level 5 in the Canadian Language Benchmarks.

Looking for where to take your test? Testing options:

East Coast Language College 902.491.1526

Step Two:

You will need to complete a Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check

**Please note: This process can take approximately 10 business days to receive the Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Checks by mail. Please allow enough time to complete this process as the original copy will need to be included with the other paperwork provided during the application process at the Customer Service locations. Please complete this process at least 20 business days prior to applying. Receipts will no longer be accepted.

For Renewal of Licenses: Receipts will only be accepted if approved by the Licensing Authority. Please complete this process at least 20 business days prior to the expiry of your license.

Criminal Record Check (CRC) forms can  be completed at 1975 Gottingen Street, Halifax- Headquarters between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.:

• Halifax Regional Police will contact you by phone or email if you need to be fingerprinted. If your previous CRC’s have required fingerprints, you will always need to get fingerprints done for any CRC in the future.

We do not recommend online sites as generally they do not come with the vulnerable sector check.

Your paperwork must be valid within 30 days when you submit your package.

Cost: $50

You will need to complete a Child Abuse Registry Check

There are now two ways to request the Child Abuse Registry check:

Follow this link to apply online. This process takes approximately 2 weeks, and should be completed in the same timeframe as the Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check.

To send by mail, complete the application form found under 'Other Ways to Apply' at the bottom of the page, through the link. This search takes ten business days to process.

The completed results will be sent to you by mail from the Department of Community Services.

Cost: No Fee

Step Three:

Visit a Municipal Customer Service Centre  and submit the following:

1. Completed Driver Application [PDF];
2. Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector check, current within 30 days;
3. Child Abuse Registry check results, current within 30 days;
4. Driver’s (Client Use) Abstract, current within 30 days;
5. Two passport-sized photos, dated and stamped within 30 days;
6. English language test results;
7. Nova Scotia driver’s license (minimum class 4);

Cost: $100 application fee

Applications take approximately five business days to process. The Taxi Office will contact you once your application has been processed. When your application is approved, you may continue to Step four to register for the training and testing program.

Step Four:

Once the application has been started, HRM staff will contact you with the details needed for completing the Mandatory HRM Training and Exam program which will now take place online. 

Training Details:

HRM staff will set up a username and password in the training portal and send you the link and information needed to access and complete the training. This will take roughly one to two hours, however, the training can be started and stopped at any time for convenience.

Once the training has been completed, a certificate will be provided to you in the training portal. This will need to be sent to the HRM Licensing Office upon their request. You will be advised through the portal, and a link will be sent to you on how to proceed with the booking of the exam. 

Cost: There is no cost to take the training program.

Exam Details: 

The exam is also taken online through eProctor. Because this is a proctored (supervised) exam, it will need to be scheduled and paid for before in advance. Times for the exam are flexible, with options in the morning and evening.

A laptop or computer with a webcam or built in camera is required to do the exam.

To pass, you must score 70 percent or above. 

Cost: $35+tx and is paid through the exam portal. 

If the exam is not passed, it can be taken a second time. 
The exam can be taken two times, and if not passed after the second time, the training program will need to be retaken and passed before the exam can be taken again. 

There is a charge of $35+tx for each time the exam is taken. 

Step Five:

Once the exam has been passed, HRM Licensing Authority will be notified of the passing grade, and that it has been completed. A staff member will then reach out to you to confirm the license will be issued and to set up next steps. 

For more information, please contact 311 and License Support staff will get back to you. 

The National Certification Program (NSTHRC) is no longer a requirement to become a permanent taxi driver with the HRM. It is still available through TIANS as an elective course for the additional certification.

The certification fee is $207 and is paid to the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) directly.

If you have questions about the registration process please visit the instruction guide [PDF].

Contact Lynn McDonagh Hughes by email or by phone at 902-423-4480 if you have any further questions about the registration and testing process.