Passenger Directed Vehicle Driver Requirements in B.C.

To be eligible to drive a passenger directed vehicle under the new regulations a driver must 

• Fulfill the driver licencing requirements
• Complete a driving record check
• Complete a police record check
• Ensure vehicle meets all requirements (TNS only)

Fulfill the Driver Licencing Requirements

Drivers must have a valid B.C. issued driver's licence.

Minimum Class 4 commercial driver’s licence

Class 1, 2 or 4 are acceptable for drivers of passenger directed vehicles. To get a Class 4 licence you must

• be at least 19 years old
• have a valid class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 licence, or equivalent licence, with at least two years of non-learner driver experience
• demonstrate an acceptable driving record
• pass a Class 4 knowledge test and road test
• pass a vehicle safety pre-trip inspection test
• complete testing in English with no assistance from a translator, and
• pass a driver fitness medical examination (at application and again as required by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles).

As the Class 4 licence requires drivers to undergo driver training and road testing, no additional driver training program (i.e. the TaxiHost Pro program) is required. If the Registrar of Passenger Transportation determines that additional driver training is needed for drivers of passenger directed vehicles, the Registrar can set those requirements.

Learn more about commercial driver's licences.

Why government requires Class 4 licences

Requiring a Class 4 licence ensures PDV drivers meet minimum standards. A Class 4 licence

• helps ensure passenger safety through increased knowledge and testing.
• requires drivers to complete a medical fitness exam. This ensures drivers have no medical conditions that may impact their driving. Drivers may need to complete more medical fitness exams at a later date depending on their age.
• ensures the vehicle is in safe operating condition due to required pre-trip inspections
• ensures that people with criminal convictions for impaired or dangerous driving in the last three years are not eligible. Drivers with four or more convictions for contraventions in the last two years (e.g. distracted driving, speeding or failing to stop) are also not eligible.

Complete a Driving Record Check

The driving record check is an abstract provided by ICBC that includes a two and three-year review period for pointable driving offences.

You can obtain a driving record check by visiting ICBC’s website. An 'N-print' abstract is required. If you have not been a resident of BC for the past three years, then you must obtain a driver’s abstract from your previous jurisdiction to ensure three years of driving records can be produced.

Any driver who has four convictions or more for 'pointable' offences during the two-year review period will be ineligible to drive a PDV. Serious driving offences are included in the three-year review (e.g., motor vehicle related criminal code convictions). 

View fines and points for BC traffic offences

Complete a Police Record Check

All PDV operators are required to obtain a Police Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector Check.

To obtain a police record check

• Visit your local RCMP detachment or municipal police agency
• Bring two pieces of government issued ID, one with a photo
• Bring the name of your prospective employer
• Bring the name, phone number, and email address of a representative from your prospective employer

Check with your local police department to learn if there is a fee to obtain a police record check.

To maintain your PDV licence, you must complete a police record check every year.

Registrar approval is required for use of agencies or entities to obtain police record checks on behalf of individuals. Contact the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Program to inquire.

Learn more about police record checks.

Record Review Application

Drivers eligible to drive for a taxi, limousine or ride-hail company will receive a Record Check Certificate from the company. If a driver has not met the provincial requirements to be a driver of a passenger directed vehicle or a licensee is unable to determine driver eligibility, a company will provide notification that they are unable to issue a Record Check Certificate.

A driver can apply in writing to the Registrar of Passenger Transportation to review their police or driving record check for eligibility. 

A driver seeking Registrar review of their record check must provide the following

• the notification from the company saying they are unable to issue a Record Check Certificate
• the police and/or driving record check
• supporting documentation relevant to the review
• a completed Record Review Application

Drivers can submit documentation to the Registrar, via CVSE, by email, mail, or in person within 30 days of receiving the company notification saying they are unable to issue a Record Check Certificate.

Upon completion of a review, the Registrar will notify the driver and the company in writing of the determination.

For questions relating to driver requirements or the Record Review Application contact the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Program.

Ensure Vehicle Meets All Requirements

To be a licensed PDV driver

• Your vehicle model must be less than 10 years old (ride hail only)
  (you can find the model date on your vehicle registration issued by ICBC)
• Your vehicle must pass a vehicle inspection either annually or semi-annually 
• You must complete a daily pre-trip inspection of your vehicle to ensure that it is in sound mechanical condition. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring all lights are activating, tires meet minimum requirements, the windshield is not cracked, and seat belts are operational
• Your vehicle must be inspected annually if it was driven less than 40,000 km in the previous year or semi-annually if it was driven 40,000 km or more in the previous year
• Your vehicle must undergo regularly scheduled maintenance as per the manufacturers recommended schedule

Getting a vehicle inspection

There are designated inspection facility locations throughout the province that can provide the required mechanical safety inspection for taxis and ride-hail vehicles. 

Cost is set by the inspection facility and typically ranges from $100 to $300.

PDVs operating without a valid commercial vehicle inspection report may be ordered to have a vehicle inspection completed. Inspected vehicles may be issued a violation ticket for failure to display a valid decal, or failure to produce or have a valid inspection report.

Requirements for child safety restraints in ride-hail vehicles

Ride-hail vehicles must comply with the child restraint system requirement per Division 36 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations.