BECOMING A TAXI DRIVER

in
Newfoundland and Labrador
 APPLYING
for a

Class 4
(taxi)
licence

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:

• 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.

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

• 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.

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.
 Once you have met the initial criteria to become a
TESTING REQUIREMENTS 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.
Vehicle
The on-road assessment will test a variety of
driving skills and scenarios. This will include:
highway driving, urban driving, parking in traffic,
Requirements
backing-up scenarios, daily vehicle inspections, All vehicles operating as taxis must meet the
and more. The assessment will take approximately minimum safety standards for their type of
one hour. vehicle.
Upon successful completion of your road test you
will receive a new driver’s licence card in the mail, It is important that all parts of the vehicle are functioning
which includes your new Class of licence. 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
MAINTAINING YOUR LICENCE
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.

SERVICE NL

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

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