Did you recently move locations or change ownership of your business? Are you planning to offer more automotive services? There are steps you, as an AMVIC-licensed business, must follow in relation to Section 134 of the Consumer Protection Act when making changes to your business. You must notify AMVIC, in writing, within 15 days, if any of the following applies:
- Your corporation has a change in officers or directors.
- Your partnership has a change in the partners.
- Your business office changes addresses.
- Your business or the person issued the licence (the director) ceases to carry on the activities for which the business is licensed for. This can include if the business is closing down, has completed a legal entity name change, has been sold (trade name, assets only) or has been taken over but is still operating.
Automotive businesses in Alberta, including sales, service and repair, consignment, lease, wholesale and agent or broker businesses must hold a valid AMVIC licence. All automotive salespeople including anyone who solicits, negotiates or concludes a transaction with consumers on behalf of an automotive business must be registered with AMVIC.
Businesses can easily manage their licence and notify AMVIC of changes through AMVIC Online. Once you’re ready to make the change and have all of the required documentation, go to AMVIC Online by clicking on “LOGIN” at the top right-hand corner of amvic.org, click on the “Licensee Portal” button and login into your account.
Remember, changes to your business licence are not in effect until you receive an updated business licence certificate.
If you do not notify AMVIC of changes to your business or fail to get an updated business licence certificate, you could be subject to enforcement actions.
The Director of Fair Trading (as delegated) recently issued an Administrative Penalty to a business that was operating from a different location than it was licensed for and engaging in designated automotive business activities without the correct AMVIC licence. All business information must be correct, including but not limited to: your current location, your authorization to conduct specific activities and that you employ certified technicians. The Adminstrative Penalty states that the business must: “…immediately cease engaging in unlicensed automotive business activity within the province of Alberta until properly licensed as per Section 104(1) of the Consumer Protection Act.”
Visit amvic.org to learn about adding services to an existing business licence.