Quadricycle tours

An owner of a quadricycle must:

• Get City route approval
• Get a valid vehicle for hire business licence from us 
• Get and install a City licence plate for each quadricycle 
• Carry liability insurance of $5 million with the City of Vancouver named as an additional insured party - Fill out the liability insurance certificate form PDF file (170 KB)
• Ensure that the use, parking, storage, and maintenance of the quadricycle occurs only during approved hours and in designated locations and streets in accordance with other City by-laws
• Ensure the brakes of each quadricycle are inspected annually by a licensed mechanic and promptly repair or maintain the brakes as disclosed by the inspection
• Retain the records of any inspection, repair, or maintenance for at least two years and have these records available to the inspector

Important note Find quadricycle regulations in the Vehicles for Hire By-law PDF file (789 KB).

An operator of a quadricycle must:

• Park, store, and maintain the quadricycle only during approved hours and in designated locations and streets in accordance with other City by-laws 
• Travel only on pre-approved routes
• Carry a copy of the City approved route
• Ensure any speakers or sound equipment are directed toward the centre of the quadricycle
• Obey all provisions of the Street and Traffic By-law 2849 External website, opens in new tab and Motor Vehicle Act External website, opens in new tab (normally those applicable to the definition of a vehicle)
• Not stop to load and unload passengers in any location which would disrupt traffic 

Quadricycles must comply with requirements of the Motor Vehicle Act External website, opens in new tab and be equipped with:

• Disc or drum brakes that are inspected annually by a licensed mechanic 
• Turn signal lights
• Reflectors on wheels and carriages
• City issued licence plates and decals
• The business name and a unique vehicle identifier displayed so it is visible to the public

All quadricycles must have approval for where they can travel.

• Travel is generally restricted to minor streets and laneways.
• Travel in protected bike lanes is prohibited.
• All drivers must carry a copy of their approved route when operating a tour.
• During a quadricycle tour, private parking arrangements with destinations are encouraged. If private parking cannot be arranged, parking is permitted at any legal parking space if parking fees for that space are paid using PayByPhone External website, opens in new tab .
• Quadricycles must be parked on private property when not in use.

Review the requirements for route approval

• Review licence fees PDF file (417 KB)
• Review the route approval fee referenced in the Street and Traffic By-law PDF file (968 KB)

Important note Apply for route approval before you submit your licence application form. 

A. Review what you need to operate

To operate a quadricycle tour in Vancouver, you must have:

• Approval to operate on a designated route
• Valid vehicle-for-hire business licence

B. Get route approval

Review restrictions and apply for route approval

C. Fill out application form

Licence application form PDF file (237 KB)

C. Submit licence application

Email vehicle4hire@vancouver.ca your:

• Completed application form
• Required documents
• Photos of all four sides of each quadricycle

Note We will send you an invoice for the licence fee.