Apply for a new business licence
Apply for a business licence through AMVIC Online. Click on LOGIN at the top right corner and then click on the “Business Application Portal” button to create an account. If you already have an existing account (such as a salesperson or consumer complaint account) you can use the same account to login and apply for a licence.
How to apply for a new automotive business licence:
Step one: determine which licence class matches the activities offered by the business i.e. sales (new or used), wholesale, agent or broker, leasing, consignment, repair.
Step two: obtain written municipal approval from the town or city where you plan on doing business as you will be required to provide that during the application process. Failure to provide proof of municipal approval will result in significant delays and/or possible refusal of your application. Note: it is important that you have proof of municipal approval/land use approval before you apply for an AMVIC licence as your application cannot be considered without it.
Step three: gather all of the required information and documentation that you will need to process your application. Note: you must complete the online application in its entirety, including payment, before exiting.
For sales (new or used, wholesale, agent or broker, leasing and consignment):
- Proof of Municipal Approval.
- Salespeople Authorization: List of salespeople currently employed at your business.
- Photo ID: Driver’s Licence, passport, Nexus card, or a government-issued ID card.
- If you are not a Canadian Citizen you must provide a front and back copy of proof of eligibility to work in Canada: a valid permanent resident card or a valid work permit.
- If you have claimed bankruptcy in the last five years provide bankruptcy documents.
- If seeking consignment business licence, deliver your $300,000 surety bond, irrevocable standby letter of credit, or cash directly to AMVIC.
- If seeking wholesale business licence, deliver your $50,000 surety bond, irrevocable standby letter of credit, or cash directly to AMVIC.
- Obtain Police Information Check(s) as per the application.
- Proof of Commercial General Liability Insurance.
- Important information: All required documents must be uploaded and fees must be paid before application is processed.
For service and repair:
- Proof of Municipal Approval.
- Trade Certificate: A copy of one trade certificate must be submitted with the application. The certificate must be in one of the following trades: Automotive Service Technician, Heavy Equipment Technician, Auto Body Technician or Recreation Vehicle Service Technician.
- Photo ID: Driver’s Licence, passport, Nexus card, or a government-issued ID card.
- If you are not a Canadian Citizen you must provide a front and back copy of proof of eligibility to work in Canada: a valid permanent resident card or a valid work permit.
- Obtain Police Information Check(s) as per the application.
- Proof of insurance; General Liability/Garage Policy.
- Important information: All required documents must be uploaded and fees must be paid before application is processed.
Step four: once you have municipal approval/land use approval, go to AMVIC Online to complete the online application in full, including payment.
Application review process:
- All applications will be reviewed, including criminal record checks and financial checks, etc. to determine if a licence is granted.
- Complete the online application.
- You must apply for your business licence before applying for a Salesperson’s Registration Certificate. Click here to learn how to apply for a salesperson registration. If you are engaging in sales of any kind you require an AMVIC-registered salesperson on staff.
- You should avoid using the word “wholesale” in your business name. Even if you are a wholesale business you should consider that you may want to sell retail at a later date which would require a name change to remove the word “wholesale” in order to receive a retail licence.
- AMVIC requires a Police Information Check on all applicants who apply for an AMVIC licence.
Who is considered an applicant?
- an individual who is a sole proprietor,
- a partner in a partnership,
- an officer or director of a corporation,
- a shareholder of a private corporation,
- an individual who has been given signing authority by a director to complete AMVIC documentation,
- or a salesperson working on behalf of an automotive business.
Ongoing business licence requirements:
- Automotive businesses are responsible for renewing their AMVIC business licence annually.
- You must inform AMVIC if there are any changes to your company’s directors via AMVIC Online.
- Off-site sales requests should be submitted three weeks prior to the event. For more information see page three of the Automotive business on/off-site sale request form available here.
Background checks
All applicants are required to obtain a background check at their own cost. Sterling Backcheck (Backcheck) provides background checks at a cost paid directly by each applicant. Applicants will also find a direct link to Backcheck on AMVIC Online.
Although most applicants are able to use Backcheck, there will be instances when Backcheck will not be able to provide AMVIC with the appropriate information. If you have adult convictions for which you have not received a pardon/record suspension and for which you do not recall specific details (offence, date of conviction, location of conviction, and penalty/disposition received), or you have unresolved charges, you will be unable to request a report from Backcheck. Applicants must instead go to a local police service and request a Police Information Check or Certified Criminal Record Check verified by fingerprints.
Please be aware that this process may take a longer period of time than using Backcheck. Also, a Police Criminal Record Check report will not be accepted. AMVIC has prepared an Instruction Letter for Police that explains what type of background check is required. This letter can also be found on the forms page.
