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Transport licence application process

Last updated on November 21, 2024

Anyone transporting hazardous waste more than a certain amount in B.C. requires a valid licence to transport. Section 46 (2) of the Hazardous Waste Regulation lists the exemptions for needing a licence. Licences are only valid if a company representative has passed the transport licence knowledge exam.

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Transport licence knowledge exam

Hazardous waste transport licences are only valid if the owner or an employee involved in the daily operation of the business has passed the transport licence knowledge exam. Carriers must ensure they always have a company representative that has passed the exam.

The exam evaluates your knowledge of the legal requirements under the​:

Starting January 25, 2021, the knowledge exam is administered through Service BC. Please call 1-866-205-2102 to book your exam. Upon passing the exam you will receive a certificate that is valid for 10 years.

Transport licence applications must include proof that a company representative has passed the exam.

  • For exams written between 2010 and 2020, use the email confirming the exam candidate has passed the exam
  • For exams written after 2020, use the certificate

The instructions for taking the hazardous waste transport licence knowledge exam (PDF, 369KB) answers the following questions:

  • Who must take the test?
  • When and where the test can be taken?
  • How to book for a test
  • Which test to take?
  • How long is the test?
  • What to bring to the test room?
  • What and how to study? With a list of resources or study material
  • What are the questions like?
  • Results and next steps

Apply for a new transportation of hazardous waste licence

An application package for a transportation of hazardous waste licence must include:

Use the application package checklist (PDF, 408KB) to guide you.

Starting January 25, 2021, submit your licence application package at your nearest Service BC Centre. You will need to bring:

  • Your completed application package
  • A method of payment for the non-refundable $500 application fee
    • Carriers that transport used batteries only are exempt from the application fee

All Service BC locations accept cheques, credit card, debit card, or money order fee.

Citizens not wishing to visit a Service BC office or out-of-province applicants may submit their completed application forms to applications.sbc@gov.bc.ca. You will be contacted for payment processing.

Transportation of hazardous waste licences are valid for one year.

Supporting documentation

Your application package must include:

  • Registration and insurance documents indicating that each vehicle and trailer
    • Is owned or leased by the applicant
    • Carries a minimum of $5,000,000 third party legal liability insurance that covers hazardous waste
    • Large companies must submit a dated fleet list along with verification of $5,000,000 third party legal liability insurance
  • Financial security ($10,000 CAD) in the form of an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee (DOCX, 36KB) or a surety bond (PDF, 97KB) 
  • A copy of the certificate or email confirming the applicant or their employee passed the knowledge exam
  • Consignee waste acceptance confirmation letter(s) listing the waste they are authorized to accept and their authorization number
  • Proof of company registration (for example, Certificate of Registration) with B.C. Corporate Registry
  • Proof the registered company is in good standing with the BC Registrar of Companies
    • This can be a Certificate of Good Standing or a screenshot of an online search of the Corporate Registry at no charge
    • Service BC can provide the certificate for a fee

Contingency plan

Your application package must also include a contingency plan for spills of the waste transported under the licence.

The contingency plan outlines:

  • Potential risks to the environment by the transported waste
  • Emergency procedures that will be used to mitigate those risks
  • Responsibilities, available equipment, and emergency contacts and phone numbers

Use the guidelines and outlines below to prepare your contingency plan:

Renew a transportation of hazardous waste licence

Transportation of hazardous waste licences are valid for one year. Carriers must renew their licence to continue transporting hazardous waste in B.C.

The renewed licence must be in place before the current licence’s expiry date.

You can apply to renew your licence up to 8 weeks before it expires. Applying early means there is no break in coverage or a change in your expiration date.

Download the Hazardous waste transport licence renewal application (DOCX, 39KB)

Instructions for completing the renewal application

  • Answer all the questions with 'Yes', 'No' and provide any additional information requested. Incomplete answers will result in processing delays
  • Ensure that a person with signing authority for the licensee signs and legibly completes the certification statement
  • Example of a completed renewal application scenario (PDF, 38KB)

Starting January 25, 2021, submit your licence renewal application at your nearest Service BC Centre. You will need to bring:

  • Your completed renewal application form
  • A method of payment for the application fee
  • Any applicable supporting documents, such as
    • Vehicle insurance and registration
    • Financial security
    • Updated vehicle fleet
    • Updated consignee’s letters

The non-refundable renewal application fee is:

  • $200 for renewals up to 30 days after the licence expiry date
  • $500 for renewals after the licence expiry date
  • Carriers that transport used batteries only are exempt from the application fee

All Service BC locations accept cheques, credit or debit cards, or money orders.

Citizens not wishing to visit a Service BC office or out-of-province applicants may submit their completed application forms to applications.sbc@gov.bc.ca. You will be contacted for payment processing.

Apply for a limited time addendum

A limited time addendum allows transportation of hazardous waste licence holder to rent or lease a vehicle or trailer for transporting hazardous wastes.

Complete the following and email to hazwaste@victoria1.gov.bc.ca

Carriers located in B.C.

Carriers not wishing to visit a Service BC office or Carriers located out-of-province may submit their completed application forms to applications.sbc@gov.bc.ca. 

You will be contacted for payment processing. 

Contact information

For local and facility-specific issues, please use the enquiry form.

For more information related to transporting hazardous waste, please contact the Hazardous Waste Program. 

Office
250-356-5044
Email
hazwaste@victoria1.gov.bc.ca