“Northlander Rideshare” proposed requirements

Driver, vehicles, insurance proposed requirements

The text below has been posted to Ontario’s “Northlander Rideshare Pilot Summary” site. Deadline to submit comments is April 10th, 2026. The pilot is scheduled to launch in “Spring, 2026.”

Pilot Eligibility and Registration:

• In order to provide rideshare services along the Northlander corridor within the predetermined communities, each Private Transportation Company (PTC) must submit a completed application to the Ministry demonstrating compliance with all requirements.

• The Ministry may impose conditions, refuse approval, or suspend/revoke approval for safety or non-compliance.

Driver Requirements:

Each PTC is responsible for ensuring that each driver providing rideshare services via their platform meets the following requirements:

• Each driver is 18 years of age or older.

• Each driver holds a valid Class G or higher driver’s licence.

• Each driver must not have more than 9 demerit points or have any convictions or suspensions (to be defined).

• Background check requirements have been completed for each driver in the form of a criminal record check, driver abstract, and proof of eligibility to work in Canada.

• Each driver has been provided with training, as approved by MTO, to provide ridesharing services.

• Each driver is required to adhere to all other existing safety laws and regulations applicable to drivers.

Each PTC is responsible for maintaining records related to these requirements – and may be requested to produce information at the time of application and/or at structured intervals.

Vehicle Requirements:

Each PTC is responsible for ensuring that vehicles used to provide rideshare services via their platform meet the following requirements:

• Each vehicle is required to pass a mechanical inspection and obtain a Safety Standards Certificate on an annual basis.

• Each vehicle is not more than 10 years old, and is not a salvage or rebuilt vehicle.

• Each vehicle is in good working order both internally and externally, has four doors, fully functioning heating, air-conditioning, and seatbelts.

• Each vehicle has a seating capacity of less than 10 passengers (excluding the driver).

• Each vehicle has an identifying decal placed in a clearly visible location.

• Each vehicle is equipped with winter tires between December 1 and April 30 each year.

Accessibility:

• PTCs with more than 500 vehicles may be required to provide accessible transportation.

Insurance Requirements:

• A PTC shall ensure that from the moment a ride is accepted up until the moment of passenger drop off, every PTC vehicle used in the service is insured under a policy of automobile insurance for coverage in the amount of at least $2,000,000 inclusive of bodily injury, death, and property damage resulting from any one accident.

• PTC: Each PTC must have a minimum $5,000,000 general liability insurance.