Vehicles – Armoured or with After-Market Compartments
Armoured Vehicles – Defined
An armoured vehicle is any motor vehicle that has been either manufactured or adapted in a way meant to protect occupants of the vehicle from explosions caused by explosive devices or from projectiles discharged from a firearm as defined in Section 2 of the Criminal Code of Canada. This definition encompasses motor vehicles that have armour installed in the manufacturing process as well as those that are armoured after manufacture to provide protection for the occupants from all types of firearms, bullets and explosives.
In British Columbia there are controls on the operation of armoured vehicles, see Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Act and Regulation. No one may operate or use an armoured vehicle unless they have a valid permit from the Registrar, Security Services or are exempt from the requirement to obtain one. Individuals illegally operating an armoured vehicle may face fines up to $10,000 and six months imprisonment and a business entity may face a fine up to $100,000
Who Does Not Require an Armoured Vehicle Permit
- police officers
- individuals with a valid security worker licence with licence type ‘armoured car guard and/or security guard’ who operate an armoured vehicle during the course of their employment under the security licence
- individuals who must operate armoured vehicles in the course of their employment as a Provincial or Federal government employee or government corporation employee
- diplomats
- licensed vehicle salespersons or registered motor dealers
- certified mechanics with repairer’s licenses
- operators of antique-plated armoured vehicles
- operators of military vehicles covered by the federal Defense Production Act. (The full list of those exempted and conditions place on those exempted are listed in Sections 2 and 3 of the Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Regulation)
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Who Does Require an Armoured Vehicle Permit
Anyone (other than those identified above) who wishes to operate an armoured vehicle must apply for a permit from the Registrar, Security Services; but they must be able to prove a reasonable need for operating an armoured vehicle. Applicants must undergo a criminal record check, police information check and a correctional service information check.
Apply for a NEW Armoured Vehicle Permit
The term of an armoured vehicle permit is five years. The cost is $90.
You must complete the application form for a new permit (see below) and provide it to the Registrar, Security Services, along with full payment and information regarding your:
- identity and contact information;
- details of your physical appearance;
- a recent photograph;
- particulars about any of your unresolved charges or crime convictions; and
- the reason you need to operate an armoured vehicle, including, if applicable, the name and address of your employer.
Download: Application for a New Permit to Operate an Armoured Vehicle (SPD0700)
Credit Card payment can be submitted using the Credit Card Authorization form
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RENEW a Current Armoured Vehicle Permit
If you have a current permit, and you wish to maintain a permit, you must apply to renew your permit prior to the expiration date as one must carry their current, valid permit with them whenever operating an armoured vehicle.
The term of a re-newed armoured vehicle permit is five years. The cost is $45.
You must complete the renewal application form (see below) and provide it to the Registrar, Security Services, along with full payment. The form allows you to update changes that have occurred. Note: If you have changes to report but it is not yet time to renew, refer to the section on this page – ‘Reporting Changes’.
- details of your physical appearance;
- a recent photograph;
- particulars about any of your unresolved charges or crime convictions; and
- the reason you need to operate an armoured vehicle, including, if applicable, the name and address of your employer.
Download: Application to Renew a CURRENT Permit to Operate an Armoured Vehicle (SPD0701)
Credit Card payment can be submitted using the Credit Card Authorization form
Requirements of a Armoured Vehicle Permit Holder – Reporting Changes
Permit holders must report to the Registrar, Security Services, within 14 days of occurrence,
- a change in employment if the possession of body armour under the permit is for the purposes of that employment;
- a change in circumstances that support the reason for operating an armoured vehicle. A change in residential address
- any new criminal charges or convictions against you
To report changes, download and complete this form to at your computer or print and complete by hand – Reporting an Update to Current Permit to Operate an Armoured Vehicle (SPD 0702)
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Lost or Stolen Permit
If your current permit to operate an armoured vehicle is lost or stolen, use this form to request a replacement. There is no fee to replace a permit.
Download: Request for Replacement of Current Permit to Operate an Armoured Vehicle (SPD0703)
Requesting a Reconsideration of Registrar's Refusal to Issue an Armoured Vehicle Permit
An applicant may request the Registrar to reconsider a decision to refuse the issuance of an armoured vehicle permit. As well, permit holders may request the Registrar to reconsider a decision to cancel or suspend a permit – but the request must be received by the Registrar’s office, in writing, within 30 days of receiving notice of the reasons for the decision. Note: there may be special circumstances or an alternate time period specified by the Registrar in some cases.
After-Market Compartments – Defined
After-Market (Hidden) Compartment refers to compartments which are not part of the manufacture’s design of or equipment for the vehicle and is incorporated into the equipment or structure of the vehicle after it has left the factory in which the vehicle was manufactured.
In British Columbia, it is illegal to own, operate or use a vehicle that contains a concealed compartment that has been installed post-manufacturing. This does not include storage compartments or safes sold by retail vendors of automotive or security equipment that are designed for after-market installation in a vehicle. These compartments or safes must not be incorporated into the equipment or structure of the vehicle in such a manner that is not intended by the manufacturer. See Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Act and Regulation.
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Reporting the Installation of After-Market Compartments
In compliance with the Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Act and Regulations, anyone who installs an after-market (hidden) compartment in a vehicle must immediately contact the officer in charge of the nearest provincial or municipal police office and provide to that officer all of the following information:
- the name and address of the owner of the vehicle;
- the make, model and year of the vehicle;
- where in the vehicle the compartment has been placed and how the compartment can be opened.
To not report the this installation is an offence under the law – individuals are liable on a conviction to a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months; and a business entity is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than $100,000.
Violation Tickets and Fines – Non-Compliance with the Act
Failure to comply with the terms of the Armoured Vehicle and After-Market Compartment Control Act may result in a violation ticket and associated fine (plus victim surcharge levy). A full schedule of violations and ticket amounts are listed in Schedule 2 of the Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation.
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