Business licence classes

How do I know if I need a sales licence?

According to the provincial Automotive Business Regulation and Designation of Trades and Business Regulation (Consumer Protection Act), the following types of automotive businesses must be licensed. Businesses can apply to the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC) for any of the following automotive business licence classes. If your business performs activities for more than one licence class, you must have a licence for multiple classes.

  • Sales activities:
    • Retailer (new and/or used) – authorized to sell to consumers.
      • Sell new or used vehicles to the general public.
      • Display vehicles for sale.
      • Purchase vehicles from the general public.
    • Wholesaler – NOT authorized to sell to consumers.
      • Sell, consign and exchange vehicles only with other automotive businesses and never to consumers.
      • Export vehicles outside of Canada.
      • Purchase vehicles from consumers only to sell to an automotive business.
      • Businesses may be required to provide a $50,000 security to AMVIC in the form of cash, irrevocable standby letter of credit or surety bond. Please contact licensing to inquire.
    • Agent or broker – NOT authorized to sell to consumers.
      • Negotiate or conduct on a consumer’s behalf an agreement in which the consumer buys, sells or leases a vehicle.

NOT authorized to sell to consumers.

  • Leasing vehicles when the term of the lease is for more than 120 days.
  • In order to complete a sales transaction on a lease buy-out to a consumer after the lease agreement ends, the business must have a sales licence as well.

Authorized to sell to consumers.

  • Sell vehicles on behalf of consignors to consumers as per a signed consignment agreement.
  • Business must provide a $300,000 security to AMVIC in the form of cash, irrevocable standby letter of credit or surety bond. Please contact licensing to inquire.

NOT authorized to sell to consumers.