Proposed Licensing for Retail Mobile Fueling

Introduction

Opportunity to comment on a TSSA proposal to license Retail Mobile Fuelling operations is open for 30-day consultation from January 30, 2026, to March 1, 2026.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is seeking your comments on a proposal to license operations conducting Retail Mobile Fuelling under Ontario Regulation 217/01, Liquid Fuels and Liquid Fuels Handling Code.
A prior consultation was conducted on the technical requirements for retail mobile fuelling facilities. 

Definition

Retail Mobile Fueling is defined as the dispensing of fuel from a highway tank to a licensed vehicle or a watercraft that cannot be fueled at a marina.

Proposal Details

 

The purpose of this consultation is to seek input on the licensing details for the business activity of retail mobile fueling. Rules for this activity, included in the current Liquid Fuels Handling Code 2017 (LFHC 2017) have been expanded by the LFHC Working Group that is currently considering code revisions. TSSA is currently updating the LFHC 2017. TSSA also recently consulted with industry on proposed safety requirements. The next phase is to seek input on the form, cost, and likely timing of the proposed licensing program.

 

What Activities are to be Licensed?

 

A licence will be required for dispensing fuel from a highway tank to a licensed vehicle or a watercraft that cannot be fueled at a marina. TSSA is proposing to license the activity/business.
The retail mobile fueling will have to comply with requirements in the Liquid Fuels Handling Code, particularly the contents of the proposed Appendix I.

 

Who Needs a Licence?

 

Owners of licensed Highway Tanks will require a licence to undertake retail mobile fueling.

 

What will the Licence Cost?

 

The proposed annual licence fee is $652, which is equivalent to the fee for a small gas station. This fee estimate may increase depending on inflationary adjustments between the time of this consultation and the implementation of licensing.

 

When will Licensing Start?

 

The Retail Mobile Licensing program is anticipated to launch in the fall of 2026.

 

How will Licencing Work?

 

Licence issuance will be automated through the TSSA Client Portal, including renewal and fee payment, as follows:

1. The initial licence will be granted based on paying the fee and the prerequisite of the company having at least one highway tank (tanker truck) licence
2. TSSA issues an invoice for licence renewal
3. Client verifies the information on the licence via the Client Portal and pays a fee
4. TSSA automatically renews licence upon payment
5. Includes one periodic inspection (inspection cost annualized in the licence fee) at the operator’s business site but may include scheduled visit to client yards where retail mobile fuelling occurs.

Auditing /inspecting for compliance with the LFHC will take place sometime after the initial licence has been granted.

 

What Data will be Required for the Licence?

 

The following data will be required for the licence:

• Corporate or Personal Name of Operator
• Address, Phone and E-mail
• Payment of licence fee
• Minimum of one licensed Highway Tanks

 

Other Issues:

 

Audit Cycle
A three-year audit cycle will be established. The objective is to develop risk-based data over time to support an inspection cycle where good actors are inspected less and plants with safety issues are inspected more frequently.
Incident-Based Inspections
Incident-based inspections would be consistent with the current TSSA approach.
Lapsed Authorizations (Licences)
Lapsed licences would be addressed the same as all programs regulated by TSSA.
Compliance Support
The program is voluntary and will be offered to high-risk operations to support them with identifying and resolving safety issues.

 

Supporting Documents

Consultation will open on January 30, 2026. Consultation closes March 1, 2026.