Highway Use Permit - Special Events

Event organizers must apply for permission to hold an event on or along a provincial highway right of way or side road. Special events include parades, marathons, cycling events, walkathons, running events, car shows and charity events.

All personnel working on or along a highway, or those acting on the event organizer's behalf, including hired contractors, must be:

  • Competent to perform their duties,
  • Adequately trained,
  • Fully instructed, and
  • Supervised

To apply, your organization must provide the following:

  • Highway use application
  • Certificate of insurance
  • Route maps
  • Traffic management plan

Organizers are responsible for getting all permits and licenses necessary for conducting the event.

Apply

Contact us if you have questions about holding an event on or along a provincial highway right of way.

Please submit your application and supporting documents a minimum of four weeks in advance of your special event date.

Insurance

Your organization is responsible for incidents occurring during or resulting from an event and must carry appropriate insurance.

You will need to carry and maintain:

  • A minimum of $2 million liability insurance against third-party claims
  • A maximum deductible no greater than $5,000

Proof of insurance will be accepted after the application is made and must be submitted directly from the broker.

Route Maps

Include a detailed route map with your application:

  • Labelled highway and road names
  • Landmarks and/or GPS coordinates labelled where necessary
  • Directional arrows depicting the event route
  • Start/Finish lines and check points

Safety & Traffic Management

Event organizers must protect the safety of the travelling public and event participants. They must keep themselves fully informed of, and comply with, all federal, provincial, and municipal safety legislation, regulations, and bylaws. Traffic management must be in accordance with the B.C. government's traffic management rules:

Community Consultation

Notify all authorities, and make specific arrangements for assistance if required. Other agencies and communities that may need to be notified include:

  • Local police authorities
  • Emergency services
  • Municipalities
  • Local First Nations communities
  • Regional districts
  • Parks
  • BC Ferries
  • Public transit authorities