Ride-hail (TNS)
Ride-hail or Transportation Network Services (TNS) companies must have a passenger transportation licence, with Special Authorization, to operate a TNS service.
Start a ride-hail (TNS) service
Passenger transportation operators applying for a new licence must show the Board:
- They are fit, proper and capable of operating a passenger transportation service
- There is a public need for the proposed service and that it promotes sound economic conditions
Make sure you understand the application process. It explains how the Board uses the evidence you provide in your application to make a decision.
Checklist
New TNS licence
Before you apply
- Understand commercial vehicle and safety information about commercial passenger transportation vehicles
- Obtain a National Safety Code certificate (NSC)
- Review and understand the Supplementary Terms & Conditions respecting TNSA applications and Data Requirements(164 KB) imposed by the Board
- If you have hired an agent to prepare your application, submit a letter authorizing the agent to act on your behalf.
Forms
- Transportation Network Services application package(222 KB) (Registrar and Board forms)
- Signing authority (Registrar form)
Attachments
- Business plan
- Financial information
- All Applicants: Cash flow projections (36 months) and income statements
- Established Companies: Balance sheet
- Sole Proprietors or Partnerships: Personal net worth statements
- Resumés, criminal record checks and business registration documents
- Public need indicators
Final step
- Submit your completed application package to the Registrar’s Office at CPV@gov.bc.ca.
Change a ride-hail (TNS) licence
Passenger transportation operators applying to make changes to a licence must show the Board:
- They are fit, proper and capable of operating a passenger transportation service
- There is a public need for the proposed change and that it promotes sound economic conditions
Make sure you understand the application process. It explains how the Board uses the evidence you provide in your application to make a decision.
Transfer a licence
Taxi, ride-hail, inter-city bus, limo, shuttle and other passenger directed vehicle operators (transferors) can apply to transfer their passenger transportation licence to another business entity.
Amend a ride-hailing licence
Ride-hailing (TNS) companies must apply to the Board to amend or change their terms and conditions of licence. They cannot apply to amend terms and conditions labelled “legislative requirements”.
Operating a ride-hail (TNS) service
Driver earnings
The Board independently collects data related to driver earnings from all active ride-hailing (TNS) companies on a quarterly basis to inform policies and decisions affecting the industry. The data collected includes information on the number of drivers, hourly earnings and hours worked per driver to form a picture of how the industry and its workers are changing over time. This data will allow the Board to make informed evidence-based decisions, as needed, to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the passenger transportation industry.
Further information from industry public engagement can be found in the BC Ministry of Labour report on work in the gig economy, which includes the ride-hail sector. The Future of Work in Ontario report provides insight into the challenges of the gig economy in other parts of Canada.
Minimum rates
Ride-hailing, where passengers hail and pay for service using an app, introduced dynamic pricing to passenger transportation. The Board sets minimum rates to be charged for ride-hail (TNS) trips in B.C. based on the operating region. This minimum rate is based on taxi flag rates for the region. For ride-hail trips, passengers agree to pay an up-front fare and that fare must not fall below the minimum rate.
Booking apps
Passengers can book taxis and limousines, and other passenger directed vehicles using a booking app on their smartphone. Smartphone applications (apps) connect customers to transportation services while also making booking and dispatch an easy and efficient process for operators.
Funding to improve accessible services
Ride-hail (TNS) services must pay a $0.90 fee for each trip provided in a non-wheelchair accessible vehicle.
This fee is collected to support accessibility in the passenger-directed vehicle industry. The Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure is responsible for collecting this trip fee and the Passenger Transportation Accessibility Program (PTAP).
Data requirements
Taxi operators, limousine operators, and ride-hailing (TNS) companies must adhere to their licence's data requirements(164 KB) and submit trip data to the Registrar of Passenger Transportation.
Terms and conditions
The Board sets terms and conditions of passenger transportation licences when an application is approved. To continue operating a ride-hailing (TNS) company, an operator must ensure they remain in compliance with their terms and conditions as well as the Act and the Regulations. Terms and conditions for ride-hailing (TNS) include things like data requirements, operating areas, fleet size, driver earnings, and other requirements that must be followed.
Fitness reviews
The Board may review licensee fitness at any time to make sure they meet standards.
News and updates for
Ride-hail (TNS)
October 18, 2023
Clarification of credit card surcharge rules
Following consultation with industry regarding credit card surcharges, the Passenger Transportation Board (Board) has created new rules for all passenger directed vehicle (PDV) authorization and transportation network services (TNS) authorization licensees.
September 6, 2023
Board releases Annual Report 2022-2023
The Passenger Transportation Board’s Annual Report 2022-2023 is now available online. The Annual Report 2022-2023 describes the activities of the Board during the fiscal year April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
Quick links
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Make a complaint about a service.
Please put your complaint in writing and send it to the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Program. Their phone number is 604-527-2198 and their email is cpv@gov.bc.ca.
Find out what’s happening with someone else’s application.
We do not disclose the status of other applications until the final decision has been published on the website. We also do not disclose that an application has been received until it’s Application Summary has been published in the Weekly Bulletin.
Get an update on my application.
An applicant may contact the Board to inquire about the status of their application.
Renew my licence.
The Registrar of Passenger Transportation will automatically send licence renewal forms to licensees with expiring licences.