Armoured Car and Cash Transport Awareness: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: What armoured car work is

Cash-in-transit work means moving cash and other valuables between businesses, banks and cash machines. It is usually done with an armoured vehicle.

British Columbia's Security Services Regulation defines an armoured vehicle as a motor vehicle built or adapted to protect the people inside from forced entry and from firearms of a set minimum power.

Businesses use armoured car services so their own staff do not carry large amounts of cash on the street. Durham Regional Police suggest that businesses dealing in larger amounts of cash consider an armoured car service.

Who this affects

Crews who drive and carry the cash
Site guards at banks, malls and stores where the crew stops
Store and branch staff who prepare and hand over cash
Managers who plan cash pickups and deposits

The main danger in this work is robbery. Every rule and habit in this course aims to make robbery less likely and to keep people safe if it happens.

Lesson 2: Licensing, training and firearms law

Security licensing is provincial, so the rules for armoured car crews are different across Canada.

Province	How armoured car work is treated
كولومبيا البريطانية	Needs an armoured car guard licence ("transporting property in an armoured vehicle"). Applicants must complete a use-of-force and firearms proficiency course designed for armoured car guards, from the Justice Institute of BC or a provider it approves, or show equal experience or training. The uniform must show the employer's name. Armoured car guards are exempt from the rule to show their licence on request.
ألبرتا	An armoured vehicle service, meaning transporting property in an armoured vehicle with armed guards, is exempt from security licensing. Any other way of working may need a licence.
أونتاريو	People paid for work that provides an armoured vehicle service are listed as exempt from security licensing.

Firearms are federal law

Carrying a handgun on duty is controlled by the federal Firearms Act. A guard needs a firearms licence and an Authorization to Carry. The federal regulations allow an Authorization to Carry for a person whose principal activity is handling, transporting or protecting cash or other valuable goods, where firearms are needed to protect life. Before it is issued, the person must complete training in firearms proficiency and the use of force.

Real training is required. Armoured car crew work needs the licence, firearms licence, authorization and training the law sets out. This course is background knowledge only and does not qualify you for that work.

Lesson 3: Anti-money laundering duties

Since July 1, 2024, armoured car businesses have duties under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. The agency that oversees this is FINTRAC. The rules cover businesses that transport currency, money orders, traveller's cheques and similar instruments.

Duty	Key number or trigger
Compliance program	A compliance officer, written policies, a risk assessment, training, and a review every 2 years at a minimum
Know your client	Verify the identity of anyone who asks to transport $1,000 or more in cash, before the first transport
Large cash transaction report	When the business receives $10,000 or more in cash in one transaction
Suspicious transaction report	When there are reasonable grounds to suspect money laundering or terrorist financing
Records	Keep them for at least 5 years

Some duties do not apply to cash moved between the Bank of Canada and others, between two financial entities, or between two places of business of a reporting entity at its request.

Lesson 4: Safe cash practices at the customer site

Crime prevention advice from police services such as Edmonton and Durham Region, plus a few common-sense habits, helps lower the risk for staff and for armoured car crews.

Checklist for the site

Keep little cash in the till and move extra cash to the safe often.
Use a drop safe, or a safe the clerk cannot open alone or that needs two keys, and post a sign saying so.
Consider an armoured car service for larger amounts of cash.
If staff take deposits themselves, vary the times and routes, do not use obvious money bags, and bring another person.
Make deposits at least once a day and avoid night deposits.
Share pickup and deposit plans only with people who need to know.

When the crew arrives

Follow your post orders for crew visits.
Keep the public away from the crew's path and do not crowd them.
Do not chat with or distract the crew while they are carrying cash.
Watch for anything unusual outside, such as a person or vehicle that seems to be waiting, and report it.

Lesson 5: If a robbery happens

Robbery is a serious crime under the Criminal Code. Section 344 sets a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, with minimum sentences when certain firearms are used.

During a robbery

Cooperate. Do exactly as you are told and do not resist.
Remember that your safety is more important than money.
Treat every weapon as real.
Use a silent alarm only if you can reach it without being noticed.
Note details: age, height, weight, clothing, scars and tattoos.
Do not chase or follow the robber.

After a robbery

Call the police right away, even if you already set off the alarm.
Do not touch anything the robber may have touched.
Write down everything you remember right away. Do not trust your memory.
Do not discuss the amount taken with anyone except the police.
Let the police answer questions from the news media.

A guard's role is to observe, deter and report, not to fight for the money.

Observe what is happening and who is involved.
Deter crime by being visible and alert.
Report to police and your supervisor.