A driver (not driving a bus) wants to pick up strangers and drive them somewhere in exchange for payment, without any taxi, rideshare, or other transport licence or permit. Is this allowed under the Act?

Correct answer: D. No — picking up passengers for compensation without the required licence, permit, or authorization is a specific offence

Section 39.1(1) prohibits a driver of a motor vehicle other than a bus from picking up a passenger to transport them for compensation where a licence, permit, or authorization is required to do so under the Public Vehicles Act, a municipal by-law, a federal Department of Transport Act regulation, or an airport authority — doing it without that authorization is a specific offence, not just an informal grey area.

Source: MTO Driver's Handbook: Highway Traffic Act, Part IV (Licences) — Section 39.1(1), picking up a passenger for compensation without authorization