Temporary Operating Permit for an Extra Provincial Undertaking Originating Outside of British Columbia

Am I eligible to apply for an Extra-provincial Temporary Operating Permit?

The restrictive conditions of the Extra-provincial Undertaking permit specify that it can only be used when the Permittee is engaged in the extra-provincial transportation of passengers into British Columbia provided the same carrier transports the same group of passengers out of British Columbia, or drops them off in British Columbia, on the same trip.  The origination (pick-up) of passengers in British Columbia is not permitted.

The maximum period for which an Extra-provincial temporary operating permit may be issued is seven (7) consecutive days.

Ref. Passenger Transportation Act – Part 5 and Passenger Transportation Regulation – Part 5, Sec. 20(2)

What type of operating permit is available if I don't hold a valid British Columbia Passenger Transportation Licence?

If you do not hold a British Columbia Passenger Transportation Licence, you can apply for a 7 day extra-provincial temporary operating permit (i.e. only for trips originating outside British Columbia). (Pursuant to Passenger Transportation Act, Section 36 (3(a)(i)) and Passenger Transportation Act Regulations, Section 20 (2)).

No other temporary operating permits are available.

If the trips are frequent and/or over 7 days in duration the carrier should be seeking annual licensing.  Information on applying for a BC Passenger Transportation Licence can be obtained from the Applications section of the Passenger Transportation Branch Website.

Can I purchase an Extra-provincial Temporary Operating Permit for trips over 7 days?

The issuance of “back to back” extra-provincial temporary operating permits on the same trip (e.g. carrier requires a 14 day permit to complete the trip) is not permitted.  Carriers requesting a permit for over 7 days are required to contact the Passenger Transportation Branch:

Telephone: 604-453-4250
Toll Free (BC/Alberta): 1-888-453-4280
Email:  PassengerTransportationBr@gov.bc.ca
Branch Hours: Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays,
between 08:30 and 16:30 hours

Where can I purchase Extra-provincial Temporary Operating Permits?

  1. Provincial Permit Centre (PPC) - Extra-provincial Temporary Operating Permits (Permit Form Number PT5044R) are available from the Provincial Permit Centre (PPC) toll-free vehicle permit line: 1-800-559-9688 (Canada and the United States). Other permits are also available from the permit line (e.g. non-resident commercial vehicle permits and motor fuel tax permits).

    PPC staff is available to answer your questions about permit requirements and issue permits 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  
  2. Passenger Transportation Branch – copies of application form number PT5046: Temporary Operating Permit Application (Extra-provincial Undertaking) can be obtained from the Passenger Transportation Branch or downloaded in the Extra-provincial Temporary Operating Permit Materials section below.

    Permit applications submitted to the Branch are processed during Branch hours of operation (Monday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays, between 08:30 and 16:30 hours) and applicants are required to submit supporting documentation with their application. If your application is approved by the Registrar, the Branch requires a MINIMUM of 1 business day to issue your temporary operating permit once the Registrar is satisfied that all safety requirements have been met.

Information required when purchasing an Extra-provincial Temporary Operating Permit from the Provincial Permit Centre (PPC)?

Prior to issuing your permit a PPC staff member will request verbal confirmation from you:

  • You or your Company have a valid safety certificate in your base jurisdiction?
  • Your vehicle has a valid inspection certificate?
  • Your point of entry into British Columbia?
  • You have a British Columbia Financial Responsibility Certificate (BC Insurance Filing) number?  If you do not have BC Insurance Filing the PPC staff member will prepare and issue to you, for a fee, a non-resident single commercial vehicle permit (NRSCV) or a non-resident quarterly commercial vehicle permit (NRQCV).
  • Your vehicles are registered with the International Registration Plan (IRP)? If your vehicles are not registered with IRP the PPC staff member will prepare and issue to you, for a fee, a non-resident single commercial vehicle permit (NRSCV) or a non-resident quarterly commercial vehicle permit (NRQCV).

Information required when purchasing an Extra-provincial Temporary Operating Permit from the Passenger Transportation Branch?

Completed PT5046: Temporary Operating Permit Application

A copy of this form can be obtained from the Passenger Transportation Branch or downloaded in the Extra-provincial Undertaking Permit Materials section below.

What supporting documentation is required when purchasing an Extra-provincial Temporary Operating Permit from the Passenger Transportation Branch?

If your business is located outside of British Columbia, submit the following identification information/documents:

  • Applications submitted by an individual, or as a partnership, must include a legible photocopy of the individual's, or all partners’, driver's licence(s).
  • If you are applying as a corporation, limited liability company or society you have included:
    1. a photocopy of your Company’s certificate of incorporation/articles of incorporation issued by your home jurisdiction, and a list of directors and officers; AND
    2. a photocopy of your Company’s BC Certificate of Incorporation (issued by the BC Registrar of Companies and showing registration in BC as an extra-provincial company), OR

      a signed letter declaring that your Company is exempt, from being a BC registered company, under the Business Corporations Act, SBC2002 Chapter 57 – Part 11, Section 375.

      To find out how to register your Company in BC, or if your Company is exempt from registering in BC, please the visit the BC Corporate Registry web site at http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/registries/corppg/.
  • A photocopy of a safety certificate issued by your home jurisdiction, with a satisfactory rating.
  • A photocopy of the extra-provincial or inter-state operating authority, issued by your home jurisdiction, indicating that you are authorized by your home jurisdiction to operate as a commercial passenger carrier beyond the boundaries of your home province or state.
  • You have entered your British Columbia Financial Responsibility Certificate (BC Insurance Filing) number on your application form, in the space provided in Section 2, if your vehicle(s) are base plated outside of British Columbia and you hold a valid BC Insurance Filing letter issued by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC); OR

    If you do not have a BC Insurance Filing number, you have included a written explanation on how you are intending to meet your motor vehicle liability insurance requirements (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), that includes an insurance certificate, from the Provincial Permit Center’s toll-free vehicle permit line: 1-800-559-9688).

    For further information on British Columbia Financial Responsibility Certificate (BC Insurance Filing) please call (604) 443-4624 or Toll Free 1 (800) 665-4336.

Vehicle Information Requirements:

The filing of an application does not confer any permission or authority to operate a passenger transportation service. Applicants are advised to delay the purchase or lease of vehicles until approval for temporary operating permit is obtained from the Registrar of Passenger Transportation.

Before a temporary operating permit can be issued the Branch will contact you to request that you submit the required vehicle(s) documents.

If you have already purchased or leased a vehicle, include the following vehicle information, for each vehicle, with your temporary operating permit application –

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 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 your apportioned cab card showing proof that your vehicle is registered in British Columbia 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 Center’s toll-free vehicle permit line: 1-800-559-968).

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

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

  • 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.
  • A photocopy of the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Report, form MV3104 of the Commercial Vehicle Inspection Program (CVIP) 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.

Where can I submit my completed Permit Application (Form PT5046)?

Your completed PT5046: Temporary Operating Permit Extra-provincial Undertaking Application (along with all supporting information, 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

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

Extra-provincial Undertaking Permit Materials

The PT5046: Temporary Operating Permit Application - (481 KB PDF) is an 8-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.