Step 1 - English proficiency
Applicants will be required to prove English proficiency in one of two ways:
Proof of birth and/or education in an English-speaking country, or
A Canadian Language Benchmark score of six (6) or better on speaking and listening and score of four (4) on reading and writing.
Applicants who are unable to provide these documents must attend SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology) and take a Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment Test. For more details, refer to the English Proficiency Requirements brochure.
Step 2 - validate identification
To apply for a taxi driver's licence an applicant must go to the Livery Transport Services (LTS) office and produce a valid class 1, 2 or 4 Alberta Driver's Licence and original of one (1) of the following:
Canadian Birth Certificate
Canadian Citizenship Card
Canadian Passport Permanent Resident Card
Landed Immigrant papers & Passport from country of origin, or current Work Permit
All documents must be originals and reflect identical names and exact spelling. If applicable, name change documentation must be provided. Photos must be current (taken within last 12 months) and must resemble current appearance otherwise the photo may be rejected.
Step 3 - training
After completing steps 1 and 2, an applicant may register for the Taxi Driver Training Course. This training course will develop skills as a professional taxi driver.
The course content focuses on customer service, driver safety, passengers with disabilities, geography and map reading, and enforcement. A mark of 80% on each module is required to pass the course.
The non-refundable taxi driver training course fee must be paid at the time of registration. This fee includes one free rewrite of the exam.
Training materials
Applicants will receive a pre-study guide at the time of registration which includes the following:
Participant's manual with all modules
Training facility location including bus and parking information
Pre-study material on map reading and geographic knowledge
Study and exam preparation tips
Taxi Driver Training Course – Rules and Regulations
As well, applicants must purchase the current edition of the MapArt Calgary & Area Street Guide, which is available where maps are sold.
It is suggested that applicants also purchase the current edition of the MapArt "Calgary" map, also available where maps are sold.
Attendance
It is mandatory for all applicants to be in attendance and arrive on time for each and every class. Class hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Passing the course
A final grade of 80% is required to pass the course which includes Geography, Route Planning, General Knowledge, class participation and attendance.
Step 4 – post training qualifications
Applicants who successfully pass the training can complete the licensing process.
Background check
You will be required to complete a Permission Form giving consent for LTS to obtain:
CPS information check - Applicants can expect to wait approximately two to three weeks for their Calgary Police Service (CPS) Information Check to be returned to our office. A taxi driver's licence is not issued until a recommendation from CPS has been received.
Note: Under Livery Transport Bylaw 6M2007, a favorable recommendation from CPS is required in order to obtain a livery licence.
Driving abstract - LTS will verify an applicant's driver history and status to ensure that there are no more than nine demerits against the Provincial driver's licence.
Alberta Defensive Driving Certificate
Before issuing a taxi driver's licence, an applicant must provide LTS with an Alberta Defensive Driving Course Certificate. This certificate must have been issued within the last two years.
GST number
Applicants can get a GST number through Canada Revenue Agency, either at the Harry Hays Building downtown, or by calling 1-800-959-5525.
Step 5 – issuing the licence
When all the conditions have been met, the applicant must attend the LTS office to complete the process by paying the licence fee and having their photograph taken for the licence and file.
LTS will then issue a licence that will expire on the applicant's next birthday, or the expiry date of their Work Permit (if applicable), whichever comes first.
Important Information
The following states important information from 
Livery Transport Bylaw 6M2007 with respect to the application for a Taxi Driver's Licence. It is your responsibility to obtain a copy of the current bylaw and know and understand it.
Refunds
[Schedule B (1)] "No refund will be granted, in whole or in part, where a Licence is surrendered, suspended or revoked."
[Schedule B (2)] "No refund will be granted, in whole or in part, where the applicant abandons an application."
[Schedule B (3)] "No refund will be granted, in whole or in part, where an application is refused."
Application activity
[Section 71 (1)] "If an application for a Licence is not materially advanced by the Applicant for thirty (30) consecutive days then the application is deemed to have been abandoned and the application fee is forfeited to The City."
Once an Applicant completes the training course they have thirty (30) days to apply for the Calgary Police Service Information Check or their file will be closed.
