Background
Vehicles for Hire transport passengers from one destination to another for a fee. These vehicles could include taxis, limousines, shuttle services, designated driving services and transportation network companies. The industry forms an essential part of the City’s transportation system as each service can provide a premium level of service (door-to-door, 24-hours a day; seven days a week.) which is not offered by public transportation organizations.
Municipal Regulation
The Vehicle for Hire Bylaw C-1394 is the municipal legislation that governs Vehicles for Hire in the City of Grande Prairie. Bylaw C-1394 came into effect on May 1, 2021.
Principles
An effective Vehicle for Hire Bylaw program should accomplish the following:
- Public safety and consumer protection;
- Accessible vehicle-for-hire services; and
- Fair competition and open innovation.
Relevant Statutes & City Documents
Vehicle for Hire Licensing & How to Apply
The purpose of the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw C-1394 is to establish a system of licensing and regulations for Vehicles for Hire. Information on these licensing regulations as well as how to apply are listed below.
This license type is specific to services that drive a customer home in the customers own vehicle.
Requirements for Designated Driving Services:
- Support Vehicle(s) require Class 1-55 Commercial Registration;
- Support Vehicle(s) operating for the Designated Driving Service must have a Motor Vehicle Liability Policy that complies with the Insurance Act, RSA 2000, Chapter I-3 and provides coverage of not less than the limits prescribed in the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation; and
- The Designated Driving Service Dispatch Licensee or their contracted operators must have a minimum $1,000,000 Commercial General Liability Policy which covers their operations while driving a customers vehicle.
- If the Designated Driving Service Dispatch Licensee is the holder of this Commercial General Liability Policy, their contracted operators must be added to the policy so that they are covered for liability while conducting business on behalf of the Dispatch Licensee.
- The Dispatch Licensee must have a commercial or branch location within the Grande Prairie Region.
How to Apply
- Complete a Dispatch Licence Application Form.
- Submit the Business License Application to es_contact@cityofgp.com.
- This submission must include:
- A company name that you have registered with the Government of Alberta;
- A swatch of your proposed company colours (if applicable);
- A professional logo that does not infringe upon copyrighted images;
- A mock-up of your company dress as it would appear on a vehicle.
- This submission must include:
The Fee for a Dispatch License is $210.
This license type is applicable to a single owner/operator that provides:
- a limousine service;
- a Private Transportation Provider service;
- a shuttle service; or
- a taxi service.
To clarify, the Exclusive Dispatch Licensee is a single person operation. That is to say, the dispatcher is the driver of the vehicle.
Requirements for Exclusive Dispatch Licence:
- A signed declaration that the vehicle for hire will be dispatched and driven exclusively by the person applying for the Vehicle Permit;
- the vehicle must have a valid Class 1-55 Commercial Registration; and
- a Motor Vehicle Liability Policy that complies with the Insurance Act, RSA 2000, Chapter I-3 and provides coverage of not less than the limits prescribed in the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation.
- Taxis operating as an Exclusive Dispatch Licensee must have their vehicle equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) that meets the requirements as set out within Bylaw C-1394.
- The Exclusive Dispatch Licensee must have a physical location based within the Grande Prairie Region.
- Exclusive Dispatch Licensees may submit application to be exempt from the requirement to have a physical commercial location by contacting es_contact@cityofgp.com.
How to Apply
- Complete a Dispatch Licence Application Form.
- Submit the Business License Application to es_contact@cityofgp.com.
- This submission must include:
- A company name that you have registered with the Government of Alberta;
- A swatch of your proposed company colours;
- A professional logo that does not infringe upon copyrighted images; and
- A mock-up of your company dress as it would appear on a vehicle.
- This submission must include:
The Fee for a Dispatch License is $210.
This license type is specific to limousines services, shuttle services and private transportation provider services that are not operating as an Exclusive Dispatch.
Requirements for a General Dispatch License:
- The vehicle(s) must have a valid Class 1-55 Commercial Registration; and
- a Motor Vehicle Liability Policy that complies with the Insurance Act, RSA 2000, Chapter I-3 and provides coverage of not less than the limits prescribed in the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation.
- The Dispatch Licensee must have a commercial or branch location within the Grande Prairie Region.
How to Apply
- Complete a Dispatch Licence Application Form.
- Submit the Business License Application to es_contact@cityofgp.com.
- This submission must include:
- A company name that you have registered with the Government of Alberta;
- A swatch of your proposed company colours;
- A professional logo that does not infringe upon copyrighted images; and
- A mock-up of your company dress as it would appear on a vehicle.
- This submission must include:
The Fee for a Dispatch License is $210.
This license type is specific to taxi services.
Requirements for a Taxi Dispatch License:
- The vehicle(s) must have a valid Class 1-55 Commercial Registration;
- the vehicle(s) must have a Motor Vehicle Liability Policy that complies with the Insurance Act, RSA 2000, Chapter I-3 and provides coverage of not less than the limits prescribed in the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation;
- the vehicle(s) must be equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) that meets the requirements as set out within Bylaw C-1394.
- The Dispatch Licensee must have a commercial or branch location within the Grande Prairie Region.
How to Apply
- Complete a Dispatch License Application Form.
- Submit the Business License Application to es_contact@cityofgp.com. This submission must include:
- A company name that you have registered with the Government of Alberta;
- A swatch of your proposed company colours;
- A professional logo that does not infringe upon copyrighted images; and
- A mock-up of your company dress as it would appear on a vehicle.
The Fee for a Dispatch License is $210.
This license type is specific to rideshare services where the driver utilizes their own personal vehicle to provide transportation for the customer.
Requirements for a Transportation Network Dispatch License:
- The vehicle(s) must be registered with a fully licensed Transportation Network Company within Alberta.
- The vehicle(s) must have a valid Class 1-55 Commercial Registration; and
- a Motor Vehicle Liability Policy or a Transportation Network Automobile Insurance Policy that complies with the Insurance Act, RSA 2000, Chapter I-3 and the Transportation Network Companies Regulation and provides coverage of not less than the limits prescribed in the Transportation Network Companies Regulation; and
- the Dispatch Licensee must have a commercial or branch location within the Grande Prairie Region.
How to Apply
- Complete a Dispatch License Application Form.
- Submit the Business License Application to es_contact@cityofgp.com.
- This submission must include:
- A company name that you have registered with the Government of Alberta;
- A swatch of your proposed company colours (if applicable);
- A professional logo that does not infringe upon copyrighted images; and
- A mock-up of your company dress as it would appear on a vehicle.
The Fee for a Dispatch License is $210.
No person may drive, cause or permit the driving of a Vehicle for Hire, unless the person holds a valid Chauffeur Permit with the City of Grande Prairie.
Chauffeur Permit Requirements:
- Alberta Drivers License Class 1, 2 or 4.
- Contact your local Alberta Registries Agent for more information on these professional class of drivers license.
- Criminal Record Check including the Vulnerable Sector Check valid within 90 days.
- Contact your local Police Agency for more information on how to obtain a Criminal Record Check including the Vulnerable Sector Check.
- Alberta Drivers Abstract valid within 30 days.
- Contact your local Alberta Registries Agent for more information on how to obtain a Driver's Abstract.
How to Apply
These applications must be made in person at Grande Prairie Enforcement Services.
- Collect all necessary documentation:
- Alberta Class 1, 2 or 4 Alberta Drivers License;
- Criminal Record Check including Vulnerable Sector Check valid within 90 days; and
- Alberta Drivers Abstract valid within 30 days.
- Make arrangements for Enforcement Services to receive and review your application.
- Visit the Grande Prairie Enforcement Services office location in person, located in the Grande Prairie RCMP detachment at 10202 99 Street, with all applicable documentation; or
- Submit your documents in advance via es_contact@cityofgp.com for a representative of Enforcement Services to review your documents and contact you.
The Fee for a Chauffeur Permit is $105.
- Alberta Drivers License Class 1, 2 or 4.
There are five types of Vehicle Permits within the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw:
- Accessible Taxi Permit;
- Limousine Permit;
- Private Transportation Provider Permit;
- Shuttle Permit; and
- Taxi Permit.
The Vehicle Permit process is identical for each permit type and requires the following:
- The vehicle(s) must have a valid Class 1-55 Commercial Registration; and
- a Motor Vehicle Liability Policy that complies with the Insurance Act, RSA 2000, Chapter I-3 and provides coverage of not less than the limits prescribed in the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation.
- Full Out-of-Province Mechanical Inspection by a certified and licensed mechanic.
- The vehicle must be made available for an in-person inspection by a License Inspector for Enforcement Services.
How to Apply
- Collect all necessary documentation:
- The vehicle's valid Class 1-55 Commercial Registration;
- The vehicle's Motor Vehicle Liability Policy that complies with the Insurance Act, RSA 2000, Chapter I-3 and provides coverage of not less than the limits prescribed in the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation.
- Full Out-of-Province Mechanical Inspection by a certified and licensed mechanic.
- Book an appointment with Enforcement Services to receive and review your application.
- Phone 780-830-5790; or
- Submit your documents in advance via es_contact@cityofgp.com for a representative of Enforcement Services to review and contact you to schedule an appointment.
The Fee for a Vehicle Permit is $105.