Required: road vehicle dealer permit (OPC).
With a few exceptions, the law requires every business that deals in road vehicles, new or used, to hold a licence from the Office de la protection du consommateur.
Why it matters: To get this licence, the dealer must provide a bond. It could be used to compensate you if the dealer doesn't meet its obligations, for example by refunding your down payment if it closes before delivery.
Businesses currently holding this licence in the official lists: 6,163.
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 260.25 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 323.1 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 322 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 24.4 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 108.1.1 · OPC – Ai-je besoin d'un permis? · OPC – Fournir un cautionnement · OPC – Avant d'acheter une auto d'occasion chez un commerçant, dernière modification 6 octo · OPC
This licence isn't required to sell trailers under 1,300 kg or for short-term rentals. Any business that sells or leases long-term cars, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles or RVs must hold it.
No permit applies to a private seller.
Official sources: Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act, s. 24.4 · OPC: do I need a licence? (in French)
The Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) received 7,119 consumer complaints about this type of business from October 2025 to September 2026.
Same months three years earlier: 5,078 (+40%).
These figures are not about any particular business: OPC data does not name businesses. Complaints are unverified allegations, not findings.