On June 1, 2004 the Salesperson Licensing Regulations under the Motor Dealer Act came into effect. Under this legislation it is required that every person involved in retail vehicle sales apply for and maintain a salesperson licence as issued by the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of BC (VSA).

Positions Requiring a Licence

The positions required to be licensed include:

• used and new vehicle sales
• business office
• lease office
• internet sales
• sub-contractors involved in retail sales and financing
• sales managers
• and all other positions, including managers and dealer principals, who are involved in activities and decisions affecting the retail vehicle sales process within a licensed dealership

Existing Industry Members

It was the responsibility of every person working on June 1, 2004 in any of the positions outlined above to complete the salesperson licence application process by June 2004. Many did not comply with this requirement and are applying now, over 2 years late. Everyone who applies now who was working in the industry on June 1, 2004 is back-dated to have a licence start date of June 1, 2004, no matter when their application is received by the VSA. These people are responsible for the annual licence fees back-dated to June 1, 2004 as well as late penalties. With over 5,000 people who responded to the new requirements when they were launched in May 2004, it is only fair that all those who are late in applying not receive any kind of benefit for being late.

Anyone who joined the industry since June 1, 2004 and applies any time after their start date in the industry will have their licence start date back-dated to their date of entry to the industry and be responsible for licence fees and late fees going back to that date.

Use of the VSA Logo

All motor vehicle dealers, their salespeople and their consumer-related business office staff are required to be licensed in British Columbia and should feel free to display official licences and other VSA literature bearing the logo to confirm that fact. They are encouraged to include the phrase "Licensed by the Motor Vehicle Sales Authority," along with their licence number, in advertising, on business cards and in other presentations.

The inclusion of the VSA logo on anything but official VSA documents, for any purpose, is strictly prohibited by trademark protection.

Upon application in writing to the VSA, permission may be granted for use of the logo in special circumstances, such as those which would serve the mission and vision statements of the Authority in the public interest.