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Québec-based passenger vehicles
Persons in Québec wishing to transport people by bus or minibus must obtain a transport permit from Québec Transport Commission (Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ)). To obtain a bus transport permit, submit Form CTQ.304A, “Transport of Persons by Bus and Leasing of Buses”, along with required fees. Fees are provided on form CTQ.321A. Companies that have a Québec business number from the Registraire des Entreprises du Québec must complete the French version of the forms.
Persons operating buses or minibuses must also register in CTQ’s Register of owners and operators of heavy vehicles.
Québec-based property-carrying vehicles
Property-carrying vehicles no longer need operating authority in Québec but now must register in the Register of owners and operators of heavy vehicles.
Out-of-province carriers
Bus or minibus operators entering Québec from other Canadian jurisdictions to pick up passengers require a bus transport permit from CTQ. To obtain a bus transport permit, submit Form CTQ.304A, “Transport of Persons by Bus and Leasing of Buses,” along with the required fees are provided on form CTQ.321A. Those operating buses in Québec where the bus would be entering and leaving Québec with the same passengers do not require a bus transport permit if authorized to make the trip in the Province in which the bus is registered.
Bus, minibus, and property-carrying vehicles entering Québec from other Canadian jurisdictions do not need to register with Québec if they have a National Safety Code number (safety fitness certificate) issued from their base jurisdiction.
U.S. carriers
Bus or minibus operators entering Québec from the U.S. to pick up passengers require a transport permit from CTQ. To obtain a bus transport permit, submit Form CTQ.304A, “Transport of Persons by Bus and Leasing of Buses,” along with the required fees. Fees are provided on form CTQ.321A. Those operating buses in Québec where the bus would be entering and leaving Québec with the same passengers do not require a bus transport permit if authorized to make the trip in the state in which the bus is registered.
Bus, minibus, and property-carrying U.S. operators operating in Québec must obtain registration in the Register of owners and operators of heavy vehicles.
Insurance
A carrier must maintain a minimum $1 million in liability insurance and $2 million liability insurance if the carrier hauls hazardous materials. A liability insurance policy, available through a private insurer, must guarantee compensation for property damage caused by a carrier.
Registration of owners and operators of heavy vehicles
Québec requires owners and operators of heavy vehicles to register with CTQ. The registration is a means of tracking the safety performance of carriers operating on Québec highways. The regulation applies to the following vehicles:
- A heavy vehicle (truck, bucket truck, emergency vehicle), including trailers and semi-trailers, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,500 kilograms or more;
- Combinations of vehicles having a a gross combination weight rating of 4,500 kilograms or more;
- Buses;
- Minibuses;
- Tow trucks; and
- Motorized road vehicles transporting dangerous substances.
Every person who, as of January 1, 2011, is required to register in the Commission des Transports' Register, for a vehicle registered before January 1, 2011, has until December 30, 2011, to register.
To obtain registration, fill out the “Application for Registration in the Register of owners and operators of heavy vehicles” (form CTQ.330A) and submit it to CTQ with the required fees.
Once registered, a Registration Identification Number (RIN) number will be issued as well as a safety rating. Upon initial registration, a carrier will usually receive a satisfactory rating. As long as a carrier operates safely and meets CTQ’s expectations, the carrier will keep the satisfactory rating. CTQ and the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) monitor the carrier’s safety performance through roadside inspections and facility audits. Carriers who disregard highway safety rules can be downgraded to conditional or unsatisfactory. A conditional safety rating allows carriers to improve their safety ratings by implementing more effective safety practices and procedures. The conditional rating is a temporary rating and CTQ can upgrade the safety rating to satisfactory if it feels the carrier has taken the necessary steps to change the unsafe behavior. Carriers that receive an unsatisfactory safety rating are no longer allowed to operate but can reapply for heavy vehicle registration after the time period established by CTQ (up to five years).
Intermediaries carrying on business in Québec must register on the list of transport service intermediaries kept by CTQ. To register, submit form CTQ.332A, “List of transport service intermediaries” with the required fees. Fees are provided on form CTQ.321A.