Salesperson Registration

Ontario’s Motor Vehicle Dealers Act (MVDA) regulates companies and individuals that are in the business of buying and selling vehicles in the province. As the industry’s self-management body, the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) is responsible for registering motor vehicle dealers and salespersons under the MVDA.

Registrations are issued for dealers to operate out of approved locations, and for salespersons to work for a particular dealer. All registrations are conditional for a period of sixty days, and must be renewed every two years.

1- ELIGIBILITY

The MVDA acknowledges the right of an applicant to register as a motor vehicle salesperson, except in those cases where the applicant’s past conduct provides grounds to believe that the person will not conduct business with honesty, integrity and with financial responsibility as prescribed by the law.

OMVIC is responsible for ensuring that anybody entering the industry conforms to this eligibility criterion.

2- OMVIC REGISTRATION

Applicants are responsible for accurately providing all the required information. Non-disclosure of relevant information will affect the approval of an application.

2.1- Application

Complete, date and sign an Application for Registration under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act - Individual Application. Please note that all salespersons and sole proprietors, as well as all partners, corporate officers, directors or majority shareholders with a beneficial interest in the dealership must complete this application form.

2.2- Processing Fees

Regardless of their actual position or title, all individuals that will be buying or selling vehicles on behalf of the dealership must become registered as Salespersons under the MVDA. For this purpose, submit payment of $250 along with the individual application. Please note the following:

Sole proprietors are only registered as dealers. They also have to complete the Individual Registration Application but are exempt from this fee.
Partners, corporate officers or directors that will not be buying or selling on behalf of the dealership do not become registered as salespersons. Even though they must fill out Individual Registration Applications, they are exempted from paying the processing fees.

Acceptable methods of payment are cheques, certified cheques and money orders -payable to the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council. Payment can also be made by credit card (VISA or MasterCard only.)

2.3 - Identification

Every individual applicant must provide copies of two pieces of identification as follows:

Photo identification - a document showing a recent photo such as health card, driver’s licence or passport.
Proof of eligibility to work in Canada - a document showing the applicant’s legal status such as birth certificate, citizenship card, landed immigrant visa or work permit.

Please note that work permits can not be accepted for those applying to become motor vehicle dealers.

2.4- Background Searches

In order to ensure that anybody entering or returning to the industry will conduct business with honesty, integrity and in a financially responsible manner, OMVIC conducts thorough background searches on all applicants.

2.5- Certification

In order to enhance professionalism within the industry, salesperson applicants must fulfill certain certification requirements. See A Quick Look at OMVIC Automotive Certification brochure for certification criteria.

3- COMPLIANCE WITH THE MVDA

Registrants must comply with the requirements of the MVDA. Failure to do so can result in a proposal to revoke registration being issued against the registrant.

Any changes such as change of employer, termination of employee or change of personal or mailing address must be communicated to OMVIC. A Notice of Registration Change under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act - Salesperson Notice is to be used for this purpose.

Please note that all salespersons forms -Individual Registration Applications or Salespersons Registration Change Notices- must be signed by the dealer or dealer principal in order to be valid.