Driving instructors in Ottawa to face new requirements under updated licensing bylaw

Ottawa City Hall is seen in this undated file photo. (CTV News Ottawa)

Driving instructors in Ottawa will have to show they have a clean driving record and pay an additional fee starting next year under an updated licensing bylaw.

The city’s emergency preparedness and protective services committee unanimously approved an overhaul of Ottawa’s business licensing bylaw, which covers more than two dozen types of businesses, including driving schools and instructors.

Under the proposed changes, which must still be finalized by city council, the city would implement a new annual requirement for a statement of driving record from Ministry of Transportation, ensuring that instructors have no demerit points, active suspensions or convictions under the Highway Traffic Act or the Criminal Code.

City staff say this would add an additional layer of proof of public safety.

Instructors would have to pay a $12 fee annually to obtain this record.

Current annual licensing fees are $514 for a driving school owner or operator, and $185 for a driving instructor, a staff report says.

“Driving school operators and driving instructors are also licensed and regulated Provincially under Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation,” staff note. “The City’s municipal licensing regime provides an extra layer of oversight to ensure that local schools and instructors are compliant with applicable requirements. This includes requiring annual proof of a valid provincial driving school or driving instructor licence, ensuring all vehicles used for instruction are safe and properly identified, and that instruction is only provided by validly licensed instructors.”

Driving instructors and schools must also pass an annual inspection of each vehicle used for instruction, provide proof of valid insurance for each vehicle, obtain an annual level 3 police record check for working with vulnerable sectors, and must have an illuminated roof sign with the name of the driving school on each vehicle.

An update to the bylaw now also requires that the name of the driving school be displayed in a clear and legible manner and that all vehicle roof signs be illuminated one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise while driving instruction is being provided.

If approved by council, staff recommend the new bylaws come into effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Changes for other businesses

Some of the other changes included in the new bylaw include:

• Venues hosting all-night dance events (raves) no longer require a license for each event, instead needing one annual licence.
• A new one-day licence for special events for refreshment vendors, at a cost of $100 per event.
• Hours of operation for street and sidewalk vendors extended to 2 a.m.
• Updated rules to allow generators at special events on private property.
• New requirement of proof of commercial liability insurance of no less than $2 million for pawn shops and second-hand stores
• Annual valid Level 2 criminal records and judicial matters check for pawn shops

Online portal for renewals coming

In order to make applying for and renewing business licences easier, the city will also be launching a new website allowing business owners to apply, renew, and pay online.

“This initiative will streamline licensing and permitting by introducing an online application and payment solution designed to enhance client experience, improve staff productivity, and increase overall service efficiency,” a staff report says.

Several business owners raised the issue of only being able to apply for licences or renew them in person as a barrier during public consultations, staff said.

The portal is expected to launch this fall, ahead of the proposed changes starting in 2027.

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