Broker and Service Business Licences
Vehicle for Hire Broker
A person or company who owns and carries on the business which accepts orders for or dispatches taxis, accessible taxis, limousines or shuttles in any manner will be required to licence these business operations as one of the following:
Taxi Broker
Provides dispatch services on a continuous basis 24 hours per day every day of the year for vehicles licensed as either taxi vehicle licences or accessible taxi vehicle licences.
To qualify as a taxi broker, they must provide confirmation that they will be providing dispatch services to a minimum of at least five (5) taxis or accessible taxis.
Independent Driver Owner Service Licence
Provides dispatch services only for their own taxi vehicle/plate
Limousine Service
Provides booking services for vehicles that have limousine vehicle licences.
Shuttle Service
Provide booking services for any vehicle that has been issued a shuttle vehicle licence.
Application Procedure
Applications must be made in person at our office (5th floor, 10250 101 Street) between the hours of 8am and 4pm. All new business licence applications are two step processes:
Step 1: The application is first reviewed by a development officer to determine whether the proposed business operations are a permitted use under the zoning for that location.
Note: Businesses that do not have a base of operation within Edmonton will not require development approval however, they are considered to be non-resident businesses and a non-resident fee will apply.
Step 2: If development approval is received, the broker/service business licence is then processed as long as the required documentation, payment and referrals have been received
All Renewals of Existing Business Licences
As long as the operations of the business have not moved or changed, renewals do not require any development review. Fees for development review are only applied on 1st time applications or if the operations have moved or changed.
Required Documentation
New Applications
- Complete the Business Licence Application Form for a Taxi Broker/Independent Driver Owner Service/Shuttle Service/Limousines Service
- New Broker/Shuttle Service (Business) Licence Applications are required to get Development approval to operate that type of business in that location first before their business licence can be processed. Development Officers will review the application and in certain circumstances, may require the applicant to provide Site Plans and/or floor plans as part of the Development review.
- Applicant must also provide an Edmonton Police Service Security Clearance (not older than 30 days) for the Company Manager (i.e. Chief Administrative Officer or a General Manager or for the person in a similar position)
- If application is for a Corporation: Copies of Corporate Registry documents are required. These documents should also include the name of at least one individual who will be responsible for that Corporation complying with all provisions of the Bylaw and Regulations.
Additional Requirement for the Taxi Broker Business Licence Application
- The Taxi Broker must also supply a Consent and Acknowledgement letter from the “Primary Employee” (i.e. Chief Administrative Officer/General Manager) who is the individual who has also supplied the required Security Clearance. This letter is to state that the individual understands and agrees to accept the responsibility of ensuring compliance by Drivers and Vehicles operating in their corporate fleet in accordance with the Bylaw and Regulations.
Renewals of Existing Applications
- Business must provide an Edmonton Police Service Security Clearance (not older than 30 days from the “ Chief Administrative Officer” which could include the General Manager or a similar position.)
- If application is for a Corporation – copies of Corporate Registry documents are required. These documents must include name of at least one individual who is responsible for that corporation complying with all provisions of the Bylaw and Regulations.
- For Taxi Brokers’ – must also supply a Consent and Acknowledgement letter from the "Primary Employee".
Fees
New Applications ( 1st time fees)
Note: All licences expire April 30, regardless of when licence is applied for in the year. Licence fees are not pro-rated.
Commercial Location or No Base of Operations in Edmonton
Development Permit
Fee will vary depending on whether the application is considered to be:
- A permitted ($235) or discretionary ($385) use under the Edmonton Zoning Bylaw for the zoning for that property.
- If similar operations have already existed at that location and they have previously received development approval, the new operations may be deemed a "continuation of use" therefore no development fees are charged.
- If the business has no base of operations in Edmonton they will be charged a non-resident fee of $670
Licence Fee
Only if development approval is received will the business licence be processed.
- Brokers Licence, Independent Driver Owner Service, Shuttle Service or Limousines Service Business Licence - $354/year
Home-based Business (New application - 1st time fees)
Development Permit
Fees will vary depending on whether the application is considered to be:
- A major home-based business ($270) or a minor home-based business ($108) under the Edmonton Zoning Bylaw.
- If similar operations have already existed at that location and they have previously received development approval, the new operations may be deemed a "continuation of use" and therefore no development fees are charged.
Licensing Fee
Only if development approval is received will the business licence be processed
- Brokers Licence, Independent Driver Owner Service, Shuttle Service or Limousines Service Business Licence - $214/year
- Home-Based Business category - $172/year
Renewal Fees for an Existing Licence
Commercial Location
A business within the City of Edmonton with no change of operations or location
- Brokers/Independent Driver Owner/Shuttle or Limousine Service Licence Fee - $214/year
Non Resident Business
A business with no base of operations within Edmonton
- Non Resident Fee - $670/year
- Brokers/Independent Driver Owner/Shuttle or Limousine Service Licence Fee - $214/year
Home-based Business
Operation of the business from a home location within Edmonton
- Brokers/Independent Driver Owner/Shuttle or Limousine Service Licence Fee - $214/year
- Home Based business category - $172/year
Administration Fees
An administration fee of $33 will be charged when any changes are made to the licence account.
- When do the licences expire?
- Can I get a refund if I am no longer operating?
- Can I transfer my business licence to my friend or another person who wants to buy it?
- What happens to my existing business licence that was issued under the old bylaws (i.e. limousine business licence and Delivery and Transportation Services business)?
- 1. When do the licences expire?
All Vehicle for Hire Taxi Brokers, Independent Driver Owner Service, Limousine Service & Shuttle Service licences expire on April 30th of each year. Licence fees are not pro-rated therefore, when the client first applies for their business licence they will be charged the yearly fee regardless of when they apply for the licence. The Taxi Broker, Independent Driver Owner Service, Shuttle Service and Limousine Services licences are governed under the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw as of April 1, 2008.
- 2. Can I get a refund if I am no longer operating?
No. The Brokers Licence, Independent Driver Owner Service, Shuttle Service and Limousine Service Business licences are non refundable.
- 3. Can I transfer my business licence to my friend or another person who wants to buy it?
No. Vehicle for Hire Business licences are not transferable.
- 4. What happens to my existing business licence that was issued under the old bylaws (i.e. limousine business licence and Delivery and Transportation Services business)?
If your business operations now fall under the New Vehicle for Hire Bylaw, you will need to get a NEW Business Licence issued under the new Bylaw. Under the new Vehicle for Hire Bylaw, all business licences run from May 1 to April 30.
If your existing licence issued under the old bylaw expires after May 1, you will receive a credit towards the new licence. This credit will be calculated using the amount of months still remaining in your old licence and will be used against the total amount owing on the new licence.
For more information:
Edmonton Vehicle for Hire Commission
5th floor, 10250 101 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J 3P4
| Telephone | 780-496-5244 |
|---|---|
| Fax | 780-496-6054 |
| vfhcommission@edmonton.ca |
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