Temporary operating permit (TOP)
Taxi, limo, shuttle and other passenger directed vehicle operators can apply to the Passenger Transportation Board (Board) for a temporary operating permit (TOP).
A temporary operating permit allows passenger transportation operators to increase the number of vehicles in their fleet for a period of time, up to 92 days. The 92 days do not need to be consecutive.
Ride-hail or inter-city bus operators are not eligible to apply for a temporary operating permit.
Operators can apply for a temporary operating permit in the case of:
- Regular process (urgent and temporary need)
- Peak season (limos, shuttles and other passenger directed vehicles)
- Festive season (taxis)
If you want to permanently expand your fleet, submit an amendment application to the Board to add taxis or limousines.
The Board does not approve temporary operating permits (except for peak season permits for limousines) if you have an application to permanently add vehicles to your fleet in process.
Temporary operation permit processing
The Board and the Registrar of Passenger Transportation (Registrar) aim to process temporary operating permit applications in a timely manner.
If you know that you are going to apply for a temporary operating permit, do not delay sending your application. Processing times cannot be guaranteed.
Your requested start date of the permit should match the first booking date for which you need the additional vehicle. If you need a temporary operating permit for the weekend, we recommend that you submit your application well in advance.
The Board may, during the application process, ask you to provide more information. The Board may refuse an application if circumstances, including applicant fitness, warrant a refusal.
Temporary operating permits cannot be used to:
- Obtain authority to use a recently purchased vehicle while you wait for the Board to approve your additional vehicle(s) application fleet
- Establish public need for a vehicle
- Bypass the application process
Regular temporary operating permit
If you have an urgent and temporary need to increase your fleet size for things like conferences or special events, transportation of dignitaries or unexpected peaks in demand for service, you can apply for a temporary operating permit.
Applicants for regular temporary operating permits should submit information that supports the ‘urgent’ and ‘temporary’ need for the permit. This information may include:
- Contracts to provide service at a conference or special event
- Written confirmation of additional bookings for a very limited time period (i.e. less than one month)
- Fleet usage data that shows year over year trends as well as daily trip bookings for the whole fleet for the permit period requested.
You may want to include any fleet management strategies or explain how you avoid accepting bookings that exceed your vehicle supply.
Temporary Operating Permit Additional Passenger-Directed Vehicle (PTR5045) (Registrar form)
Peak season temporary operating permits (limousines)
Limousine operators often experience spikes in demand at various times of the year. These spikes may occur during the festive, grad, ski or summer season. To meet cyclical demands and serve your client base, you may need to increase your fleet temporarily.
You do not need to provide additional evidence of a temporary and urgent need for more limousines.
Read the Peak Season TOPs policy for Limousines for more information about when you start operating under a temporary operating permit and the maximum number of temporary vehicles you can add.
Festive season temporary operating permits (taxis)
The demand for taxis often increases significantly from mid-November through to mid-January (the “festive season”). To meet this demand you may need to temporarily add taxis to your fleet.
You do not need to provide additional evidence of a temporary and urgent need for more taxis.
Read the Festive Season TOPs policy for more information about when you start operating under a temporary operating permit and the maximum number of temporary vehicles you can add.
