Temporary substitute vehicle(s) for replacement of existing Special Authorization licensee vehicle(s) incapable of operation

Section 36(3) (a) (ii) of the Passenger Transportation Act provides that the Registrar may issue a “substitute vehicle” permit to a licensee.

Temporary operating permits, for substitute special authorization vehicles, are granted at the discretion of the Registrar of Passenger Transportation (Registrar). The Registrar must be satisfied that the temporary operating permit is needed to allow the licensee to operate a motor vehicle in substitution for a motor vehicle, to which the licensee's licence applies, that is incapable of operating. (e.g. A commercial passenger vehicle that bears a current and valid passenger transportation plate (PT plate) and has undergone a mechanical breakdown and/or accident related damage).

Ref. Passenger Transportation Act – Part 4, Division 5 and Passenger Transportation Regulation – Part 5

Am I eligible to apply for a Substitute Vehicle(s) Permit?

You are eligible to apply for a substitute special authorization vehicle(s) permit if you are a Licensee whose licence includes a special authorization for a passenger directed vehicle that has undergone mechanical breakdown and/or accident related damage.  There are two types of substitute vehicle permit application: 

  1. The Substitute Special Authorization Vehicle (Passenger Directed Vehicle) application is to be used when the Branch is open for business; and
  2. The After Hours Permit Authorization is to be used only when the breakdown/damage has occurred when the Branch is closed for business.

 

  1. If applying for a substitute vehicle(s) permit during hours when the Branch is OPEN FOR BUSINESS (Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, between 08:30 and 16:30 hours):
    1. Complete and submit the Temporary Operating Permit Substitute Special Authorization Vehicle (Passenger Directed Vehicle) Application Package – Form PT5047
    2. The Branch issues a substitute vehicle permit after the Registrar is satisfied that all safety requirements have been met
    3. If If approved by the Registrar, the Branch requires a MINUMUM of 1 business day to process your permit (incomplete applications may cause delays)
    4. The licensee will be required to carry the substitute special authorization vehicle(s) permit in the substituted vehicle along with their current Terms and Conditions of licence
    5. The licensee will be required to mount the valid PT plate of the disabled vehicle in a conspicuous place at the front of the substitute vehicle, and carry the current vehicle identification certificate (VIC) of the disabled vehicle in the substitute vehicle unless they are not available (i.e. impounded/towed with the break-down vehicle)
    6. The maximum permit duration for the Substitute Special Authorization Vehicle permit is 92 calendar days
  2. If applying for a substitute vehicle(s) permit during hours when the Branch is CLOSED (Monday through Friday between 16:30 and 08:30 hours, Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays):
    1. Complete and submit the After Hours Temporary Vehicle Break-Down Incident & Permit Authorization Application for Special Authorization (After Hours Permit Authorization) – Form PT5004
    2. The After Hours Permit Authorization is intended solely for the substitution of vehicle(s) that have undergone mechanical breakdown and/or accident related damage that has occurred while the Branch is closed for business
    3. The completed After Hours Permit Authorization is to be carried in the substitute vehicle and is valid only after the application form, vehicle documentation and application fee have been transmitted to the Branch via fax or email
    4. If a permit is authorized by the Registrar the licensee will be required to carry the substitute special authorization vehicle(s) permit in the substituted vehicle along with their current Terms and Conditions of licence
    5. The licensee will be required to mount the valid PT plate of the disabled vehicle in a conspicuous place at the front of the substitute vehicle, and carry the current vehicle identification certificate (VIC) of the disabled vehicle in the substitute vehicle unless they are not available (i.e. impounded/towed with the break-down vehicle)
    6. The maximum validation period for the After Hours Permit Authorization is 5 calendar days

Information required for a Substitute Vehicle(s) Permit Application?

  1. Information required for a substitute vehicle(s) permit application submitted during hours when the Passenger Transportation Branch is OPEN FOR BUSINESS (Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, between 08:30 and 16:30 hours):

    Completed PT5047: Substitute Special Authorization Vehicle (Passenger Directed Vehicle) Application. A copy of this form can be obtained from the Passenger Transportation Branch or downloaded in the Substitute Vehicle(s) Permit Application Materials section below.
  2. Information required for an After Hours Permit Authorization Application submitted during hours when the Passenger Transportation Branch is CLOSED (Monday through Friday between 16:30 and 08:30 hours, Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays):

    Completed PT5004: After Hours Permit Authorization Application. A copy of this form can be obtained from the Passenger Transportation Branch or downloaded in the Substitute Vehicle(s) Permit Application Materials section below.

What supporting documentation is required for a Substitute Vehicle(s) Permit Application?

For each vehicle registered in British Columbia – applicants are required to submit the following:

  1. A photocopy of the current vehicle registration (e.g. “Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Licence / Vehicle Registration") that:
    1. show the vehicle to be licensed/registered in the correct I.C.B.C. insurance category;
    2. show the vehicle to be classified as "commercial type"; and
    3. display the seating capacity of the vehicle.
  2. A photocopy of the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Report (CVIP), Form MV3104, that verifies that the vehicle has been inspected and passed by an approved vehicle inspection facility. Inspections are required to be performed on a semi-annual basis unless your operation is part of a preventative maintenance program.

For each vehicle registered outside of British Columbia – applicants are required to submit the following:

  • A photocopy of the current vehicle insurance showing the vehicle has been properly licensed and insured as a commercial passenger vehicle and displaying the correct seating capacity
  • A photocopy of the mechanical inspection report that verifies the vehicle has been inspected and passed by an approved vehicle inspection facility. Inspections are required to be performed on a semi-annual basis unless your operation is part of a preventative maintenance program.
  • A photocopy of the apportioned cab card showing proof that the vehicle is registered with the International Registration Plan (IRP); OR

    If you are not registered with IRP, you have included a written explanation on how you are intending to pay your British Columbia vehicle licensing fees (e.g. Prior to entering British Columbia you will purchase a non-resident single commercial vehicle permit (NRSCV) or a non-resident quarterly commercial vehicle permit (NRQCV) from the Provincial Permit Centre’s toll-free permit line: 1-800-559-9688).

    For further information on IRP please call your local IRP office.

Where can I submit a completed Substitute Vehicle(s) Permit Application?

  1. For a substitute vehicle permit application submitted during hours when Passenger Transportation Branch is OPEN:

    Your completed PT5047: Substitute Special Authorization Vehicle (Passenger Directed Vehicle) Application, along with all supporting vehicle documentation and non-refundable application fees, can be submitted to the Passenger Transportation Branch using any of the following methods:
    • Deliver the application in person to:
      Passenger Transportation Branch
      #104 - 4240 Manor Street
      Burnaby, BC V5G 1B2
    • Fax the application to 604.453.4253
    • E-Mail the application to PassengerTransportationBr@gov.bc.ca


    The Passenger Transportation Branch office is open Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, between 08:30 and 16:30 hours.

    • Office Phone No: 604.453.4250
    • Toll Free BC & Alberta: 1.888.453.4280
  2. For an After Hours permit Authorization application submitted during hours when the Passenger Transportation Branch is CLOSED (Monday through Friday between16:30 and 16:30 hours, Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays):

    Your completed PT5004: After Hours Permit Authorization Application for a temporary substitute vehicle, along with all supporting vehicle documentation and non-refundable application fees, can be submitted to the Passenger Transportation Branch using any of the following methods:

 

Substitute Vehicle(s) Permit Application Materials

  1. For a Substitute Special Authorization Vehicle (Passenger Directed Vehicle) application submitted during hours when the Passenger Transportation Branch is OPEN FOR BUSINESS (Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, between 08:30 and 16:30 hours):

    The PT5047: Substitute Special Authorization Vehicle (Passenger Directed Vehicle) Application Package - (114 KB PDF) is a 7-page document which has been designed to assist you with the application process. All relevant sections must be fully and accurately completed and submitted along with all supporting documentation (detailed in the information requirements section of the application package) before your application can be processed.

    The PT5051: Credit Card Remittance Slip - (51 KB PDF) is a single page document which applicants may use to authorize the Passenger Transportation Branch to charge an application fee to a credit card.
  2. For an After Hours Permit Authorization application submitted during hours when the Passenger Transportation Branch is CLOSED (Monday through Friday between 16:30 and 08:30 hours, Saturday, Sunday and statutory holidays):

    The PT5004: After Hours Permit Authorization Application Package - (78 KB PDF) is a 4-page document which has been designed to assist you with the application process. All relevant sections must be fully and accurately completed and submitted, along with all supporting documentation (detailed in the information requirements section of the application package), and all five “conditions” listed on the front of the permit authorization/application form must be met before your After Hours Permit Authorization validation period can begin and your application can be processed by the Branch (on the next business day).

    The PT5051: Credit Card Remittance Slip - (51 KB PDF) is a single page document which applicants may use to authorize the Passenger Transportation Branch to charge an application fee to a credit card.