BECOMING A TAXI DRIVERin

Newfoundland and Labrador

Before you Apply:Motor Registration Division (MRD) is responsible for ensuring all drivers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to safely operate a vehicle on our roads. As a potential taxi driver, you will have an added responsibility of ensuring the safety of your passengers. You will be tasked with safely transporting your customers, navigating them to their destination, while also facing a series of potential distractions. This will require a high level of knowledge about the rules of the road, road safety, and your vehicle.

Effective July 1, 2018 the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador introduced more stringent requirements for taxi drivers and their vehicles. These changes will focus on driving skills; experience driving in local road conditions; driving history; passenger safety; and safer vehicles. These new requirements will help ensure not only the safety of taxi drivers and their passengers, but all road users.

Before becoming eligible for a Class 4 (taxi) driver’s licence you must:

Once you have met the above requirements, you will be eligible to continue with the Class 4 (taxi) licencing process, as follows:

All Class 4 (taxi) drivers are subject to an initial (upon application) and subsequent annual review of their driving record. This review will take into consideration a variety of driving infractions including: moving violations, accidents, impaired driving charges, and administrative suspensions.

Vehicles registered as taxis are also required to submit an annual motor vehicle inspection from an Official Inspection station prior to their annual registration. Additionally, Highway Enforcement Officers will conduct inspections of a minimum of 30% of each Taxi fleet annually.

APPLYINGf o r a

Class 4(taxi)

licence

• Hold a full Class 5 driver’s licence for at least two years. • Ensure you meet the required medical standards by submitting a Routine Medical Form,

completed by your doctor. This form must be submitted to MRD in person, or via email, regular mail or fax for review.

• Successfully complete a defensive driving course, which includes up to five hours of practical driving experience from a professional driving school as well as an assessment of highway and urban driving, parking in traffic, and backing scenarios.

• Pass a Class 4 written exam, administered through one of Motor Registration Division’s Driver Examination Centres.

• Pass an on-road assessment that will include: highway and urban driving, parking in traffic, back-up scenarios, and pre-trip vehicle inspections.

Vehicle RequirementsAll vehicles operating as taxis must meet the minimum safety standards for their type of vehicle.

It is important that all parts of the vehicle are functioning properly to ensure the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other road users.

This includes all parts of the vehicle such as: suspension, brakes, engine, tires, steering, body, headlights, instruments and auxiliary equipment, and more.

These standards will be monitored through the following methods:

• Submission of a yearly motor vehicle inspection from an Official Inspection Station (prior to annual registration).

• Completion of further inspections completed by MRD’s Highway Enforcement Officers.

Vehicle defects could result in the requirements for repairs, or even for the vehicle to be deemed unroadworthy. For more information about vehicle standards, please visit:

www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/drivers/motorvehicleinspections/cars_light_trucks_vans_inspection_standard.pdf

Once you have met the initial criteria to become a taxi driver, you may begin the testing process.

First, you must complete a written test. When you are ready to take this test, please ensure you have the following documents with you:

• A valid NL driver’s licence.• A completed Routine Medical Form.• A letter/certificate from the driving school that confirms: the number of practical/on-road hours completed; the type of on-road maneuvers assessed; the scope of theoretical material covered in-class; and whether the driver has successfully completed the course overall.

The written test typically requires 30 minutes to complete. It will cover topics including: road rules, road safety, driving laws, and vehicle knowledge.

Upon successful completion of the written test you will be eligible to complete the on-road driving assessment. This assessment must be booked through a Driver Examination Centre. For this assessment you must bring with you:

• A Road Test payment receipt.• A mechanically fit vehicle.• Proof of valid registration and insurance.

The on-road assessment will test a variety of driving skills and scenarios. This will include: highway driving, urban driving, parking in traffic, backing-up scenarios, daily vehicle inspections, and more. The assessment will take approximately one hour.

Upon successful completion of your road test you will receive a new driver’s licence card in the mail, which includes your new Class of licence.

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In order to continue holding your Class 4 (taxi) licence, you must successfully pass an annual review of your driving record.

This review will be completed by Motor Registration Division and will consider a variety of criteria including:

• Moving violations• Administrative suspensions• Criminal Code of Canada convictions• Impaired driving charges• Accidents

Following the review, a variety of outcomes may apply. A successful review will result in the continuation of your Class 4 (taxi) licence. Records which include any or all above indicators may require you to complete additional testing and education, or may even result in your driver’s licence being revoked and an ineligibility to pursue a Class 4 (taxi) licence in the future.

If your review results in further testing or educational requirements, or your Class 4 (taxi) licence being revoked, you will be notified by MRD via mail.

MAINTAINING YOUR LICENCE

SERVICE NL

1-877-636-6867 mrd@gov.nl.ca

www.servicenl.gov.nl.ca/drivers/DriversandVehicles/driverlicensing