Passenger transportation licence (BC)

A buyer of a bus, shuttle or limousine company meets this term because moving the licence to a new business entity takes an application. The Passenger Transportation Board, British Columbia’s regulator, says operators can apply to transfer their licence to another business entity. This entry covers British Columbia only; check the rules where you are. See also what licences transfer when you buy a business.

Licence transfers and share transfers

Where the licence itself is to be transferred, the Act requires the licensee to apply to the registrar before transferring it (s. 30(1)). The Board says both the transferor and the transferee must apply, that it may approve a transfer if it considers the applicant a fit and proper person capable of providing a service, and that a new licence is then issued in the transferee’s name. Promptly after a transfer, the person transferring must make sure vehicle identifiers stop being displayed, collect them or notify the registrar of any not collected, and return to the registrar any it issued (s. 30(3)).

The Board says it does not need to approve share transfers. It may still review a licensee’s fitness at any time, and if it becomes aware of a major transfer of shares, new majority shareholders or directors may need to complete a disclosure form or supply further information.

What to ask

• Whether the deal transfers the licence itself or only shares, since the Board treats licence transfers and share transfers differently.
• Whether the licence is current and renewed, since the transferor renews while approval is pending.
• Which vehicle identifiers must be returned.

For taxis in particular, see taxi plate.