Vehicles for Hire

The Vehicle for Hire Bylaw governs any vehicle for hire, which includes Taxi, Transportation Network (ride share) Companies (TNC), Limousines, Shuttle and Designated Driver Services.

The bylaw was designed to increase safety for both drivers and passengers. Under the bylaw, all vehicles for hire companies and their drivers will require licences.

  • Driver for Hire Licences are required by Taxi, Limousine, Designated, Shuttle and Transportation Network (ride share) Drivers.
  • Brokerage Licences are required for Taxi, Limousine, Transportation Network (ride share) companies, Shuttle and Designated Driver operations.

Bylaw Update - Spring 2023

We are working to update aspects of the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw this spring. Since the bylaw was adopted in 2021, we have heard feedback that parts of the bylaw need clarification and changes. We are seeking input on key principles which will guide potential changes.

The industry consultation period ended March 15, 2023. Next steps will be communicated with participants.  

Our goal is to ensure the bylaw continues to meet the sustainability, accessibility and safety requirements of drivers and customers who use and operate vehicles for hire in Red Deer and the region.

For more information, please reach out to Inspections & Licensing at licensing@reddeer.ca or 403-342-8182.

Read Proposed Clarification Changes to Vehicles for Hire Bylaw (pdf).

Information Bulletins

If we need to communicate with members of the Vehicle for Hire industry, we will send a bulletin to all Brokerages. We will also post the Bulletin on this page and we will also have it available at the Inspections & Licensing counter on the first floor of City Hall. 

Once the Brokerage receives a Bulletin, they are required to:

  • post the bulletin in a prominent location within the Brokerage premises, if the Brokerage maintains a physical office within the city; and
  • provide a copy to all drivers affiliated with the Brokerage by hand delivery or electronically making it available to the driver; and
  • communicate over the Brokerage’s dispatch system or transportation network, as applicable, that the bulletin has been published. 

All members of the industry must ensure that they are informed of the contents of bulletins. We consider industry members to be informed a published bulletin once it has been delivered to the Brokerage. 

Current Bulletins:

Vehicle for Hire Bulletin May 3, 2022 (pdf)

Drivers For Hire

Driver for Hire Licences are required by all Taxi, Limousine, Designated, Shuttle and Transportation Network (ride share) Drivers.

To apply , we require the following:

  • Completed Driver for Hire Application (Driver for Hire Licence (pdf)).
  • Letter of Employment from a licensed broker. For TNC drivers this may be in the form of a screen shot of your TNC profile indicating an active status.
  • A copy of valid permanent Alberta Drivers License, with class 1, 2 or 4.
  • 5-year Drivers Abstract, dated within 60 days of application date.
  • Vulnerable Sector Check results, dated within 6 months of application date.
  • Headshot photo, like a passport photo, to be used on ID badge.
  • Payment of fee.

 Applicants are reminded to leave at least seven business days for application processing. All required documents for application can be submitted to the Licensing department via:

  • Email: licensing@reddeer.ca
  • In person: Inspections and Licensing counter, main floor City Hall - 4914 48 Avenue
  • Mail: PO Box 5008, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3T4
Brokerages

All Taxi, Limousine, Shuttle, Designated Driver, and Transportation Network (ride share) brokerages will require a Brokerage Licence under the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw. 

To apply, the following is required:

  • Completed Brokerage Licence Application (Brokerage Licence (pdf))
  • Business name registration from Corporate Registries. This must include any owners/shareholder/directors’ names and contact information
  • Documentation of each vehicle to be covered under the brokerage license, if applicable
    • Copy of insurance
    • Copy of Alberta registration
    • Copy of mechanical inspection
  • Payment of Brokerage fee

 Applicants are reminded to leave at least seven business days for application processing. Submit all required application documents to the Licensing department via:

  • Email: licensing@reddeer.ca
  • In person: Inspections and Licensing counter, main floor City Hall - 4914 48 Avenue
  • Mail: PO Box 5008, Red Deer, AB, T4N 3T4 

Currently we are at our maximum number of Taxi plates allowed within The City of Red Deer. Any applications for additional Taxi Brokerages will not be accepted at this time.

Independent Driver Owners

Independent Driver Owners are small brokerages with two vehicles or less. Independent owners are also drivers for hire that use a fleet vehicle for their business. An Independent Driver Owner Licence is required, in addition to a Driver for Hire licence.

 To apply the following is required:

  • Completed Driver for Hire Application. (Driver for Hire Licence (pdf))
  • A copy of valid permanent Alberta Drivers License, with class 1,2 or 4.
  • 5-year Drivers Abstract, dated within 60 days of application date.
  • Vulnerable Sector Check results, dated within 6 months of application date.
  • Headshot photo, like a passport photo, to be used on ID badge.
  • Completed Brokerage Licence Application (Brokerage Licence (pdf))
  • Business name registration from Corporate Registries. This must include any owners/shareholder/directors’ names and contact information
  • Documentation of each vehicle to be covered under the brokerage license, if applicable
    • Copy of Insurance
    • Copy of Alberta registration
    • Copy of Mechanical Inspection
  • Payment of fee 

Applicants are reminded to leave at least seven business days for application processing. All required documents for application can be submitted to the Licensing department via:

  • Email: licensing@reddeer.ca
  • In person: Inspections and Licensing counter, main floor City Hall - 4914 48 Avenue
  • Mail: PO Box 5008  Red Deer AB  T4N 3T4

Independent Driver Owners may employ one other driver for their brokerage. 

Currently we are at our maximum number of Taxi plates allowed within The City of Red Deer. Any applications for additional Independent Driver Owner Taxi Brokerages would not be accepted at this time.

Licence fees

Listed below are the different types of Licence application fees for 2023/24:

  • Independent Driver Owner Licence: $396.35
  • Driver for Hire Licence (12 months): $104.30
  • Brokerage Licence fee is dependent on the number of vehicles in the fleet:
    • 1-15 Vehicles: $339.35
    • 16-50 Vehicles: $1,043.00
    • 51+ Vehicles: $2,607.50
Renewals

All licences issued under the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw (VFH) expire August 31. Renewal invoices will be sent to everyone with an approved VFH license.  Once the renewal invoice is received, all required documents and payment can be submitted.

For Drivers

Required documents are:

  • Completed Driver for Hire Renewal Form: Driver for Hire Renewal Request Form (pdf)
  • A copy of your permanent Alberta Drivers License, with class 1,2 or 4.
  • 5-year Drivers Abstract, dated within 60 days of the renewal submission date.
  • Police Information Check with results of a Vulnerable Sector Check, dated within 6 months of the renewal submission date. 

Submit all required documents for renewal to the Licensing department via:

  • Email: licensing@reddeer.ca
  • In person: Inspections and Licensing counter, Main Floor, City Hall - 4914 48 Avenue
  • Mail: PO Box 5008, Red Deer AB,  T4N 3T4 

For Brokerages

Make payments:

Details and requirements are available within the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw 3644/2020 (pdf).

For more information, please reach out to Inspections & Licensing at licensing@reddeer.ca or 403-342-8182.