Taxicab Inspections

Types of Inspections

There are two types of taxicab inspections: 

1. Regular/routine inspections done at the City garage. 
2. Unannounced on-street inspections that can happen at any time such as during the day, weekends and evenings or as part of multi-agency vehicle inspection blitzes.

While the Safety Standards Certificate provides certification of the vehicle’s road-worthiness, during an inspection officers will:

• Ensure the vehicle’s brakes, headlights, signals and seat belts are in working order.
• Check the interior and exterior of the vehicle for damages and cleanliness.

 During an inspection drivers will need to produce:

• Vehicle registration
• Up-to-date insurance slip
• Taxicab camera certification
• Valid taxicab driver's licence

Should non-compliance be found, a re-inspection will be done to make sure any problems found have been corrected.

Taxicab Fees

In approving Hamilton's Licensing By-law No. 07-170, City Council approved these fare rates:

Senior Citizens receive a 10% reduction on the above Meter Rates calculated on the highest Full Dollar registered on the taxi meter.

The above rates include the Harmonized Sales Tax.

In accordance with section 68 of this By-law, promotional discount fares are prohibited subject to the written consent of the Director of Licensing.

When to Turn on a Taxicab Meter? A taxicab meter is to be turned on at the commencement of loading or unloading until completion of loading or unloading.

Parking Regulations

• Parking meters -Taxicabs may park and load or unload in these areas, provided that coins are deposited in the parking meters. The solicitation of fares is allowed while the vehicle is parked, provided that coins are deposited and time is available on the meters.
• No parking area - Taxicabs are allowed to stop to load or unload only. Vehicles left unattended for longer than ten minutes are considered to be parked, and in violation of the regulation. The solicitation of fares is not allowed in these areas.
• Commercial vehicle loading zones - Taxicabs are allowed to pick up or discharge passengers or goods, and are allowed to leave the vehicle to pick-up, deliver parcels, messages as well. Vehicles left unattended for longer than ten minutes are considered to be parked illegally. The solicitation of fares is not allowed in these areas.
• Taxicab stands - Taxicabs are allowed to load or unload, wait and solicit a fare in these designated areas, however time restriction regulations need to be respected such as the Public Taxicab Stand located at the Ramada Inn.