A Vehicle for Hire licence is required as per the Taxi By-Law ( 95 of 2023) for trips within the City. For more details review the By-Law including Fine Structure (Part 1 and Part 2) on this link: Vehicle for Hire By-Law. To view the City of Sarnia boundary map click here. All licensed vehicles display a Taxi Plate with the year it is licensed for on the rear of the vehicle. To view the list of licensed companies view the Business Licence Directory: Business Licensing – City of Sarnia.  City Driver’s Licenses must be clearly visible to all passengers.

Vehicle for Hire licenses are issued at Sarnia City Hall, Customer Service, 1st Floor, between the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. Contact by phone at 519-332-0330 ext 3350 or by emailing business@sarnia.ca. You can also submit an application via our online Permit and Licensing Portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licence from the City to be a Vehicle for Hire Owner or Vehicle for Hire Driver? Yes. No person or company shall use or operate a Vehicle For Hire for any Trip Within The City without a valid Owner’s Licence for that Vehicle issued by the City.
Are Vehicle for Hire vehicles required to have any identifying markings or decals? Yes. Every Owner shall ensure that a Taxi Plate issued by the City evidencing an Owner’s Licence securely attached to the rear left hand side of the Vehicle bumper to which the Owner’s Licence applies, and clearly visible to the public.
After an Owner is licensed do they need to Driver’s? Yes, drivers are required to obtain a City issued Driver’s Licence.
Do I need to renew my permit? Yes, Owner’s Licences expire on the December 3lst and are renewed annually.
Can I transfer my plate from an old vehicle to a new vehicle? Yes, an Owner’s Licence may be transferred to a new Vehicle if the Vehicle for which the Owner’s Licence was issued is no longer to be used as a Vehicle For Hire, once an application for licence transfer is approved, satisfying the provisions of Subsections 5 (a), (c), (d) and (e) of the By-law.

Vehicle for Hire Owner’s Licence

An Owner’s Licence expires December 31, following the issuance of the licence and shall be renewed annually.

Owner’s Record requirements are:

  • Vehicle Ownership, per Vehicle for Hire.
  • Certificate of Commercial General Liability Insurance not less than $2 Million, the City of Sarnia shall be named or included as additionally insured.
  • Certificate of Mechanical Fitness (Safety Certificate). Not more than 30 days old. Per Vehicle for Hire.
  • Provincial Business Registration.
Download Application

Vehicle for Hire Driver’s Licence

A Driver’s Licence expires 365 days after the issuance of the licence and shall be renewed annually.

Driver’s Licence requirements are:

  • Completed Application Form
  • A valid Driver’s License issued by the Province of Ontario, designated a Class “G”.
  • Two photographs of the applicant, passport size
  • A police vulnerable sector check dated within 30 days of this application
  • Not more than nine (9) demerit points under the Highway Traffic Act on their driving record at the time of application.
  • Not been convicted or found guilty of an offence under the Highway Traffic Act regarding moving violations.
  • Not been entered into the Sex Offender Registry or have a positive match under the Vulnerable Sector Check based upon fingerprints or a known affiliation with an organized crime group.
  • Not been convicted or found guilty of any criminal offence or any breach of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), 2005, Liquor Licence Act, Highway Traffic Act (moving violations), Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, or any other Provincial or Federal Statute.
  • Proof of Employment from a Taxi Company.
Download Application

Taxi Meter and Rates

A Vehicle for Hire licence is required as per the Taxi By-Law ( 95 of 2023) for trips within the City. For more details review the By-Law (including Fine Structure on this link: Vehicle for Hire By-Law. To view the City of Sarnia boundary map click here. All licensed vehicles display a Taxi Plate with the year it it licensed for on the rear of the vehicle. To view the list of licensed companies view the Business Licence Directory: Business Licensing – City of Sarnia.  City Driver’s Licenses must be clearly visible to all passengers.

The rates listed below shall be adjusted based on the published annual Consumer Price Index, transportation subclass for the Province of Ontario published by Statistics Canada. The rates are subject to adjustment on January 1st each year, as determined by the City Treasurer based on published CPI data for the preceding year ending in November.

Services2024Nov. 2024 to
Nov. 2025
Change %		2025
Flag Drop$5.711.1%$5.77
Senior Flag$4.621.1% $4.67
1/10 km or part thereof (cents)$0.31791.1% $0.3214
Hourly waiting rates – metered$22.05/hr1.1% $22.29/hr
Hourly waiting rates – not metered (Charged in 15 minute increments)$40.07/hr1.1% $40.51/hr