Registering a Public Bus or Minibus

Registration in the Registre des propriétaires et des exploitants de véhicules lourds (register of owners and operators of heavy vehicles)

The owner of a public bus or minibus must be registered in the Registre des propriétaires et des exploitants de véhicules lourds of the Commission des transports du Québec⁠ ⁠ (CTQ) because such a vehicle is considered to be a heavy vehicleVehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,500 kg or more, as indicated on the compliance label..

If the buyer of the bus or minibus is not registered in the Registre, it can still register the vehicle, but cannot put it into operation.

Permit of the Commission des transports du Québec

You must have a transport permit issued by the CTQ.

 

Mechanical inspection

• If the school bus or minibus is used, the most recent mechanical inspection must have been performed within the past 6 months.
  • If the most recent mechanical inspection was performed more than 6 months ago, you must make an appointment at a mechanical inspection centre to obtain a mechanical inspection certificate confirming that the vehicle meets the applicable standards.
• If the vehicle is from outside Québec, you must present a mechanical inspection certificate confirming that the vehicle meets the applicable standards, even if you bought it from a dealership.

Registering a bus or minibus for a business

Your business must be registered with the Registraire des entreprises⁠ ⁠ (REQ). You can then provide your Québec enterprise number (NEQ) when you register your bus or minibus.

If the bus or minibus is prohibited from being put into operation or has been in storage for one year or longer

It cannot be put back into operation until it has undergone a mechanical inspection carried out by a road vehicle inspection agent authorized by the SAAQ and a mechanical inspection certificate has been issued confirming that the vehicle meets the applicable standards.

When acquiring a vehicle that has been in storage, the date as of which a mechanical inspection becomes required is based on the date the former owner put the vehicle into storage. 

Documents required

The buyer and the seller—or their representatives—must present their driver's licence or another official photo ID document.

The buyer must also present a bus transport permit issued by the CTQ.

If the bus or minibus is new

You must present the Attestation de transaction avec un commerçant and Description du véhicule neuf forms that you received from the dealer.

If the bus or minibus is used

The documents you must present when you register your bus or minibus are different depending on the person or business from which you bought it. In any case, you must indicate the bus's or minibus's odometer reading.

Bought from a dealership	Bought from an individual	Bought from a business or a self-employed worker registered for the GST and QSTA business or self-employed worker that is registered for and collects the GST and QST. For more information, phone Revenu Québec.
The Attestation de transaction avec un commerçant form The registration certificate signed by the former owner and the dealer The most recent valid mechanical inspection certificate, which must be dated within the past 6 months	The most recent valid mechanical inspection certificate, which must be dated within the past 6 months	The sales contract between the buyer and the business or self-employed worker that owns the vehicle The most recent valid mechanical inspection certificate, which must be dated within the past 6 months

If your bus or minibus travels outside Québec

You must register it under the International Registration Plan(IRP).

Chartered buses are not required to be registered under the IRP.

If you do not have a driver's licence

Phone us to find out what documents you must bring with you when registering your bus or minibus.

If you cannot come to the service centre in person

• If your business owns the school bus or minibus, the person representing the business must present the original of a power of attorney signed by one of its directors to act on its behalf.
• If you are an individual, the person who goes to the service centre to register the bus or minibus for you must bring the original of the Power of Attorney (PDF, 657.0 KB)⁠ form completed by you.

If the bus or minibus is from outside Québec

It is considered to be an imported vehicle. In that case, there are other documents you have to present so that we can verify whether the bus or minibus is authorized for road use in Québec. To find out more, visit the Registering a vehicle from outside Québec web page.

Registration fees

To find out the cost to have a public bus or minibus registered, visit the Rates and Fines section.

Payment options

At our service outlets, we accept payment:

• in cash
• by debit card (not available at some service outlets)
• by one or more pre-authorized debits (a cheque specimen must be provided)
• by cheque or money order

Payment by credit card is not accepted.

Payment of the GST and QST

Whether the bus or minibus is new or used, you must pay the GST and QST if you buy it from a dealership, business or self-employed worker registered for the GST and QST.

For more information, phone Revenu Québec⁠ ⁠.

If the bus or minibus is purchased from an individual, you are only required to pay the QST.

You must have a civil liability insurance policy contracted from a private insurer providing minimum coverage of $1 million.

If you are not insured and you are pulled over by the police or involved in a traffic accident that causes more than $500 in damage to the propery of another party:

• your driver's licence or your right to obtain one may be suspended
• all of your vehicles may be prohibited from road use
• you will be fined $750 to $7,300