Taxi, Limousine and TNCs

Taxi & Broker Information:

All taxi drivers, TNC drivers, taxi brokers, independent brokers and transportation network companies (TNCs) must be licensed to operate in the municipality. 

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 of the as indicated on the registration permit from NS Motor Vehicles. For a vehicle to be used in the municipality the owner must hold an Owner's license and a driver's license issued by HRM to operate.

What is a TNC driver?

A TNC driver is someone who receives dispatched calls from a TNC such as Uber through an online platform, offering transportations for passengers for compensation. Applications to become a TNC driver are done directly through the respective TNC, not HRM.

What is a TNC?

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.

What is a Taxi Broker or Independent Broker?

A broker is a person or company that provides dispatch service to taxis and accessible taxis in HRM.

Currently the municipality has five brokers:

• Bobs Taxi 
• Casino Taxi
• Satellite Taxi
• Yellow Cab
• Extra Care - Accessible Service

An independent broker is a person who holds a taxi owner's license and driver's license 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. The 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.

How do you apply to become a taxi driver, taxi broker, independent broker or TNC?

Information on how to apply as a Taxi Broker or Independent Broker can be found on the Information for Taxi Brokers and Independent Brokers Page and the information to apply as a TNC can be found on the Information for TNCs Page . 

How to create use the Customer Portal and set up the customer and business accounts can be found on Applying for a License Page. These are free to create. Once created, the application can be applied for by choosing the right option and uploading the required documents.