Policy

The 1-55 plate class is used to register a taxi or a transportation network automobile.

A taxi operates as an on-demand service to transport clients to their requested destination for a fee. Vehicles must be originally designed to transport 15 or fewer passengers, including the driver.

A vehicle operates as a transportation network automobile (to provide a transportation network company (TNC) service), transports clients to their requested destination for a fee exclusively through use of a transportation network (eg., Uber, Lyft). A transportation network, which can be an online enabled application (or app), software, website or other system, is used by a TNC to pre-arrange the transportation of passengers. Vehicles must be originally designed to transport eight or fewer passengers, including the driver.

Vehicles that are not transportation network automobiles, regardless of the seating capacity, that are transporting passengers (vans, limousines, etc.) on prearranged, prebooked basis must be issued a Class (1-52) Public Service Bus plate; see  4.25.02 (1-52) Public Service Bus.

Clients, who choose to operate their vehicle in both the 1-55 plate class and 1-52 plate class, must register their vehicle using the dual registration program. All registration requirements must be met for each plate class; see 4.50.03 Dual Registration Program.

Where a vehicle is registered to operate as a transportation network automobile or registered to provide an on-demand (taxi) service, provided that it is not used for any other commercial purpose, the client may operate the vehicle as a private passenger vehicle under this plate class. See 4.50.03 Dual Registration Program.

Note:
When a registry agent is unsure of the plate classification to issue for the vehicle they may contact Alberta Transportation Carrier & Vehicle Safety.

Registration Requirements

A client must:

• Proof of acceptable identification, see 2.05.02 Acceptable Identification/Enrolment.
• Proof of ownership, see 4.00.01 Vehicle Ownership, Creation and Registration Documents.
• Proof of insurance, see 4.00.02 Insurance Documents.
• An Alberta address, see 2.10.01 Addresses & Acceptable Abbreviations.

Operating Requirements

One or both of the following requirements may be required for operating purposes only:

• A Safety Fitness Certificate (SFC).
• A Commercial Vehicle Inspection Certificate.

For more information on SFC’s and Commercial Vehicle Inspection Certificates, see 4.15.01 Alberta Transportation Certificates.

Registration Fees

For registration fees see the Registry Agent Product Catalogue (pdf).

Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Jun 15, 2021