In Ontario, anyone working as a motor vehicle dealer or salesperson must be registered with OMVIC before conducting any kind of business. It's the law.
If you are employed by a dealer and will be involved in any trade on their behalf, you will need to be registered with OMVIC.
If you are a business who trades in motor vehicles.
There are specific business types that do not have to register.
If you are registered as a salesperson outside of Ontario, you will not be automatically registered with OMVIC.
There are a few things you'll have to do to register: Get a background check, complete an application form online, and pass the Automotive certification course.
Complete the Individual Salesperson Application form on our online services portal.
To assist applicants obtain a background check, OMVIC has partnered with BackCheck, Canada’s leading provider of online background checks. BackCheck results are sent directly to OMVIC within 24 hours.
As part of your application, you’ll need to request a background check with BackCheck. Note: OMVIC cannot accept background check reports more than six months old.
Those with adult convictions for which you have not received a pardon/record suspension and for which you do not recall specific details (offence, date of conviction, location of conviction, and penalty/disposition received), will need to go to your local police and request a Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check. Fingerprinting may be required in order to obtain the details.
Send OMVIC the original report and the application you completed to get it. A Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Check is different than a Police Criminal Record Check (PCRC) – PCRC is not accepted.
The Automotive Certification Course enhances industry professionalism and the accountability of dealers and salespersons. You must pass the course in order to register as a dealer or salesperson.
You will have the option to complete the course either in a self-study online format or in a live webinar format.
Read more about the OMVIC Certification Course
Registering a new business means making sure all employees who engage in motor vehicle trade are also registered.
Important Premises information for dealer applicants:
You are not required to have a business premises before submitting your Business Application. Although a premises is required for all dealership registrations, you do not need to provide location information and the supporting documentation until the final stage of the application review process. This flexibility allows you to initiate the application process without delay and avoid paying rent/lease payments before your application review has been completed.
Complete the Business Application Form in our online services portal.
OMVIC requires every new motor vehicle business applicant to provide a detailed business plan with their application. The business plan will help to confirm that applicants seeking to register as a motor vehicle dealer will have reasonable knowledge, financial stability, and responsibility in the conduct of their business, as required by the MVDA.
For further information about what’s required in your business plan, please see the FAQs. You can also refer to this sample business plan.
If you have employees that require registration, they have to apply individually.
Existing salespersons transferring or adding their licence to the new dealership must file the Salesperson Change Notice Application in the online services portal.
Ensure all Individual Salesperson Applications and Salesperson Change Applications are filed online right after you file the online Business Application.
All applications must be filed online through our online services portal. The only paper-based forms that we accept include:
OMVIC
65 Overlea Blvd
Suite 300
Toronto ON M4H 1P1
You can check your application status in your online portal.
For any questions or concerns regarding registration, please reach out to our support team at [email protected] or 1-800-943-6002.
