0

Tour Guides & Sightseeing Operators

Niagara Parks is committed to providing our guests with a quality, friendly and positive experience while visiting the Niagara Falls area. A key initiative in this regard is the consistent enforcement of Licensing Rules and Regulations that govern sightseeing operations on Niagara Parks property.

Annual or daily permits are required to operate tours or sightseeing vehicles on Niagara Parks property. Guided tours inside Niagara Parks attractions are permitted by Niagara Parks staff only.

Tour Guides

A Niagara Parks Guide Licence is required to conduct tours anywhere on Niagara Parks property. A scheduled sightseeing vehicle must have a licensed guided on-board at all times. Learn More

Sightseeing Operators

A sightseeing vehicle is a vehicle used for the transport of persons for compensation. All sightseeing vehicles must have an annual or daily permit to operate. Learn More

Resources

The following resources are available to assist with licencing information, applications and test preparation.

  • Tour Guide Licence Application – A Niagara Parks tour guide licence is required to conduct tours on Niagara Parks property. Applications and tests can be submitted online. View Online Application
  • Sightseeing Vehicle Licence Application – Sightseeing vehicles must have an annual or daily permit to operate on Niagara Parks property. Class 1, 2 and 3 Sightseeing Vehicle Permits are available for purchase online and class 3 permits are also available for purchase in person.
  • Bus Licensing Bulletin – The Niagara Parks Bus Licensing Bulletin provides important information about licensing, fee changes, requirements and exemptions. [Bulletin PDF for 2022-23 Season] | [Bulletin PDF for 2024 Season]
  • Niagara Parks Tour Study Guide – All individuals conducting tours on Niagara Parks property must write the guide test and have a passing grade of 80 per cent or greater. To prepare for the test, the study guide is available in four languages: [EN] [FR] [MAN] [KR]
  • Niagara Parks Tour Study Guide Niagara Glen Addendum – All individuals conducting tours within the Niagara Glen must write an additional test. To prepare for the test, the study guide is available in four languages: [EN] [FR] [MAN] [KR]

Licensed Tour Guides

Niagara Parks is committed to providing its guests with a consistent, quality experience. To achieve this, all tour guides operating on Niagara Parks property must obtain a Niagara Parks Tour Guide Licence, which includes a written test demonstrating knowledge of the Niagara Parks brand and its products and experiences.

The process for obtaining a tour guide licence involves an online application, licence fee payment, and online knowledge test. A score of 80% or higher is required to pass the test. Guides who pass the test on their initial attempt are exempt from re-writing for two subsequent years. All guides must still submit an application and licence fee annually.

Upon submission of the guide application, you will receive an email with instructions to submit the licence fee payment. Within 2 business days of payment receipt, a licensing representative will contact you with an invitation to write the guide test, available in English, French, Korean and Mandarin. Fees may also be paid in-person by cash, credit, debit or cheque.

Sightseeing Vehicles

All vehicles transporting persons for compensation on Niagara Parks property must carry an Niagara Parks Sightseeing Licence. For the purposes of sightseeing licences, vehicles are separated into four classes:

  • Class 1 – a sightseeing vehicle designed to carry one to six passengers, operating on a regular schedule (2 days per week or more) approved by Niagara Parks and excluding groups being conveyed from schools. (Apply now)
  • Class 2 – a sightseeing vehicle designed to carry seven or more passengers, operating on a regular schedule (2 days per week or more) approved by the Commission and excluding groups being conveyed from schools. (Apply now)
  • Class 3 – a sightseeing vehicle not operating on a regular schedule (less than 2 days per week) and excluding groups being conveyed from schools. (Buy Online)
  • Class 4 – a sightseeing vehicle that conveys passengers on a trip from a school.

For your convenience, Class 3 permits can be purchased online or in-person at Table Rock Bus Management (year-round); Grand View Bus Management (seasonal); Butterfly Conservatory (year-round); Old Fort Erie (seasonal); Whirlpool Aero Car Gift Shop (seasonal); Floral Clock (seasonal); McFarland House (seasonal). Please check hours of operation for specific times and dates.

Non-profit

Niagara Parks has provided a procedure for absorbing the fee for non-profit organizations under strict criteria and guidelines. To qualify, the non-profit group must apply in writing (letterhead preferred) or e-mail with the details of the organization’s name, address, phone number and purpose and declaring that there is no fee charged for the group attending the Niagara Parks. In addition, any bus service provider must be donating their services to the group, or, failing that, the group must be operating on a strict cost recovery basis and not profiting from the trip. If your application is approved you will receive confirmation in writing. That letter must be presented on the day of your visit at one of our bus management locations to receive a daily permit with the fee absorbed by Niagara Parks.

Niagara Parks Licence Office

PO Box 150, 7400 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6T2

905.356.0943

Hours of Operation

For the 2023 season, guide tests are only available online.