Most Booking Pages Say "Licensed and Insured." Few Show You How to Check.
Any website can print the words "licensed and insured." Verifying it takes about five minutes using public government records, and it is worth doing before you hand over a deposit for a wedding, an airport pickup, or a cross-border trip to Seattle. This guide walks through exactly what to look up and where.
What to Check Before You Book
Four things separate a licensed operator from an unregistered one.
PTB License Number
A number in the format PTB-XXXXX, issued by the BC Passenger Transportation Board, required for any commercial passenger vehicle in the province.
USDOT and MC Numbers
Required by the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for any company carrying passengers across the Canada-US border, including Seattle and SeaTac transfers.
Commercial Liability Insurance
Look for an actual coverage figure, such as a stated dollar amount, rather than the word "insured" on its own.
Verifiable Reviews
Reviews you can click through to Google or Tripadvisor and read in full, not just a star graphic on the homepage.
How to Verify a BC Passenger Transportation License
Every limousine, sedan, and shuttle company operating commercially in British Columbia needs a Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) license.
Find the number on the site
A licensed operator will usually print its PTB number in the footer, an about page, or its structured data. If you cannot find one anywhere on the site, that alone is worth asking about directly.
What the number looks like
BC PTB numbers follow the format PTB-XXXXX. Destiny Limousine operates under BC PTB #71593, published on our about page and in the site's structured data.
How to Verify Cross-Border Credentials (Seattle, SeaTac, Bellingham)
A BC PTB license covers travel inside British Columbia. It does not authorize a company to carry passengers into the United States. That requires separate federal registration.
Look up the carrier on FMCSA SAFER
The US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration publishes a free public lookup at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Search by company name or MC number and confirm the operating status reads "ACTIVE."
What to look for
A legitimate cross-border passenger carrier will show a USDOT number, an MC number, and an active "Motor Carrier of Passengers" authorization. Destiny Limousine's SAFER record lists USDOT 2935448 and MC-991784, matching our Surrey address.
What "Commercially Insured" Should Actually Mean
"Fully insured" without a number is a marketing line, not a fact you can verify.
Ask for a coverage figure
A commercial passenger vehicle policy is typically described in a specific liability amount. Destiny Limousine carries $10M in commercial liability coverage, stated on our about page.
Why it matters for your trip
Personal auto insurance does not cover commercial passenger transportation. A company operating without proper commercial coverage is a real liability risk if something goes wrong during your trip.
Red Flags Worth Asking About
No license number anywhere
Not on the homepage, the about page, the footer, or the terms and conditions.
"Insured" with no figure
No coverage amount, no policy type, nothing you could confirm independently.
No USDOT/MC number for US trips
Advertising Seattle or SeaTac transfers without federal cross-border authorization on file.
Licensing Verification FAQs
Where do I check a BC PTB license?
Look for the PTB number published on the company's own site first. The BC Passenger Transportation Board also maintains licensing records for registered operators.
Is FMCSA SAFER free to use?
Yes. The lookup at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov is a free public tool maintained by the US Department of Transportation.
Do I need to check this for a local trip?
A BC PTB number is worth confirming for any commercial ride within the province. A USDOT/MC number only applies to companies advertising cross-border US trips.
What is Destiny Limousine's own licensing?
BC PTB #71593, USDOT 2935448, MC-991784, and $10M in commercial liability insurance, all published on our about page.
Booking With a Verified Operator
Every credential in this guide is one you can check on our own site, not a claim you have to take on faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reserve through the Destiny Limousine app, request an online quote, or call 604-597-9040. Pickup time, location and vehicle type are confirmed in advance.
Yes. Destiny Limousine is licensed under BC PTB #71593, carries $10M commercial liability insurance, has operated since 1999, and is a member of the BC Limo Association.
No. Rates are flat by route rather than metered, and there is no fuel surcharge added afterward. The final price is based on pickup location, vehicle type and distance set at booking.
Notice periods vary by trip type (airport transfers, point-to-point rides, hourly charters, tours and event packages). Full details are on the cancellation policy page.