Temporary trip permits - British Columbia

Vehicle registration trip permits

Non-resident motor carriers who have not prorated or obtained a permit or other form of British Columbia licencing must obtain a Non-Resident Commercial Vehicle Permit. British Columbia offers a single trip or a quarterly permit.

The single trip permit is valid for one trip into and out of, or one trip through, the province, and is valid up to 30 days. It entitles the holder to transport freight into or through, but not point-to-point within the province (permits will be issued to nonresident commercial vehicles that unload or load at more than one point but not for loading for delivery within British Columbia). Carriers must have a financial responsibility number (FR number) or pay the insurance fee(s) on the permit.

Fuel trip permits/motive fuel permits

Interprovincial carriers operating qualified vehicles into British Columbia (from an IFTA jurisdiction) who do not have IFTA registration must either obtain IFTA registration or obtain a temporary motive fuel permit (MV4001) before entering the province. The permits are issued at inspection stations and the fees are based on the number of kilometers the vehicle is expected to travel in British Columbia (minimum fee of $10), plus a deposit for British Columbia’s carbon tax (minimum fee $10). The fees are as follows:

There are no limits on how many permits a carrier may obtain. A copy of the motive fuel permit must be carried in the vehicle and available to a peace officer, upon request. If the amount of travel in British Columbia is less than the amount of tax paid, or if on the trip the fuel purchased and tax paid exceeds that which was owed, the carrier can apply for a refund (refunds must be more than $10).

Carriers entering British Columbia from a non-IFTA jurisdiction must either obtain an IFTA licence in British Columbia or obtain a motive fuel user permit/decal before entering British Columbia.

Carriers based in British Columbia who are not registered under IFTA and that enter other IFTA jurisdictions must obtain fuel trip permits to enter the other jurisdictions. When returning to the province, the carrier is subject to the motor fuel and carbon taxes on fuel brought into British Columbia. Carriers file using “Self Assessors Carbon Tax Return” (FIN 112) and “Self Assessors Motor Fuel Tax Return” (FIN 135).