Commercial Vehicle

Home | Replacement | Transfer | Fees

Who Needs a Commercial Vehicle Licence - Municipal Decal and/or a Commercial Vehicle Permit (Plate)?

2012 Municipal decals and commercial vehicle permit and plates are available for sale starting on November 1, 2011.

Municipal Decal

If you will be operating a commercial vehicle used for the collection or delivery, or both, of merchandise or other commodity in the ordinary course of business, you will be REQUIRED to obtain a “Municipal Decal” to operate in the City of Vancouver.

The City of Vancouver, under the Municipal Act, is a participant municipality in the imposition and collection of fees and issuance of “Muncipal Decals”. Refer to Vehicle Licensing By-law No. 4021 (52kb).

In order to purchase and obtain a “Municipal Decal”, the vehicle must be insured for commercial/business use.

Commercial Vehicle Permit (Plate)

If you wish to take advantage of commercial vehicle loading privileges in the City of Vancouver, the vehicle must display an affixed “Municipal Decal” (see above) on or near the front windshield of the vehicle AND have either:

1. Permanently affixed* business identification with the business name and address on both sides of the vehicle. Business identification must be in letters and figures not less than 5 cm high. Refer to Sections 19.2 & 21.5 - Street and Traffic By-law No. 2849 (1.44mb); OR
   
   

Commercial Permit Plate with Sticker
2. A City of Vancouver “Commercial Permit Plate”. In this case, signage is not required. Refer to Section 21.6 - Street and Traffic By-law No. 2849 (1.44mb).

Note: Permanently affixed* by means of high performance pressure sensitive vinyl, or reflective sheeting, or lettered with painted enamel on the vehicle. This does not include magnetic signage.

See Table 1 for the above “Municipal Decal” and City of Vancouver “Commercial Permit (Plate)” requirements.

Table 1. Commercial Vehicle Licensing Requirements

Commercial Vehicle	Vehicle with PERMANENT* signage	Vehicle with NO signage
Commercial vehicle is a vehicle used for the collection or delivery of goods, wares, merchandise or other commodities in the ordinary course of business which must be insured for commercial/business use.	(1) Municipal Decal Required; which will allow you to take advantage of loading privileges in City of Vancouver when you have permanent signage on your vehicle.	(1) Municipal Decal Required and, (2) Commercial Vehicle Permit Plate Required if you wish to take advantage of loading privileges in City of Vancouver when you have no signage on your vehicle.
Fees	(1) Municipal Decal fees range from $25 - $40, depending on the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of the vehicle. See Fees for details.	(1) Municipal Decal fees range from $25 - $40, depending on the gross vehicle weight (GVW) of the vehicle; plus (2) Commercial Vehicle Permit at $200+HST per plate. See Fees for details.

*PERMANENT signage means permanent business identification with business name and address on both sides of the vehicle. Business identification must be in letters and figures not less than 5 cm high.

Loading Privileges

A vehicle recognized by the City of Vancouver as having commercial status receives the following loading privileges:

1. May stop in commercial loading zones and commercial lanes (see note) for up to and not exceeding 30 minutes while actively loading or unloading materials and commodities.
   
   
2. May stop in passenger zones for up to 30 minutes (until noon only) while actively loading or unloading materials and commodities.
   
   
3. May use a metered space without charge on any day up to 10:30 am (excluding 7:00-9:30 am rush hour zones).

Note: In commercial lanes, all vehicles must obey No Stopping and No Parking signs and must not violate by-laws not requiring signs (e.g., blocking a garage entrance, leaving less than 3 metres clearance) at any time. In Vancouver, all lanes that abut commercial property (e.g., stores, hotels, restaurants, parking lots) are classified as commercial. The only vehicles allowed to stop in these laneways are properly licensed commercial vehicles that are required to be actively loading and unloading materials and commodities. In busy business areas many of the lane entrances have warning signs, but under the by-law, signing is not required.

» Commercial Vehicle Loading Privileges (30kb)

How and Where to Purchase a Municipal Decal and/or Commercial Vehicle Permit (Plate)

To obtain a municipal decal and/or a commercial vehicle permit (plate), you must apply in person at the City of Vancouver Licence Office with your current vehicle registration. The vehicle must be insured for commercial or business use. Municipal decals are also available for purchase at participating municipalities (25kb) of the municipal commercial vehicle licensing program. Commercial vehicle permits (plates) are ONLY available for purchase at the City of Vancouver.

If you are purchasing six or more municipal decals and/or commercial vehicle permits (plates), you must complete a Commercial Vehicle Fleet Form (169kb) and submit it with current copies of the vehicle registrations for each vehicle in person or by fax, mail or email. Please include a contact name and telephone number on the form or fax cover sheet and you will be contacted when the decals and/or commercial permits (plates) are ready for pick up.

For more information on commercial vehicle licensing, please contact the City of Vancouver's Licence Office reception at 3‑1‑1 (outside Vancouver call 604.873.7000) or by email at licenseoffice@vancouver.ca.

2012 Municipal decals and commercial vehicle permit and plates are available for sale starting on November 1, 2011.

» More info on where to find us and our office hours

[top]