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Moving to B.C.

On this page: Find out how to switch to a B.C. drivers licence, how to get your vehicle registered, licensed, and insured, and what discounts are available for your insurance.

Welcome to B.C.!

Here is what you need to do to get your vehicle registered, licensed and insured.

The steps you take depend on where you are coming from.

Important: you must switch to a B.C. driver's licence within 90 days.

If . . .

Then . . .

you are bringing a vehicle to B.C. from elsewhere in Canada

your vehicle will likely need to

pass a safety inspection at a designated inspection facility in B.C. (this list covers both passenger and commerical vehicles).

Once your vehicle has been inspected, go to an Autoplan broker to register, license and insure it.

When you go to the broker, bring

your vehicle's current registration
the "passed" vehicle inspection report
your vehicle, and
required identification.

you are bringing a vehicle to B.C. from outside Canada

your vehicle must

pass a provincial safety inspection at a designated inspection facility in B.C., and
pass a federal inspection to ensure it meets Canadian standards.

Once your vehicle has been inspected, go to an Autoplan broker to register, license and insure it.

When you go to the broker, bring

your vehicle's current registration
the "passed" vehicle inspection report,
your vehicle, and
required identification.

Standards for imports from the U.S.
Standards for imports for countries outside of the U.S.

Insurance discounts

You might be eligible for a discount on your insurance if you can prove a claim-free insurance history of longer than one year.

You can reduce your Autoplan premium if your insurance coverage was claim-free. When you licence and insure your vehicle bring a claim history letter. You will need this if you want to qualify for a Claim-Rated Scale discount. When you ask for this letter, remind your previous insurer that it must:

Be on the insurance company’s letterhead.
Show the main driver’s name and the policy number.
State the period you had coverage, and the dates of any at-fault claims.
Be written in English. If the claim letter is not written in English, it must also be:
- translated by a certified translator, and
- submitted along with the certified translation.

Find a certified translator in B.C. external link (Disclaimer)

Next, bring the original letter or have the insurance company fax it to your Autoplan broker.

If you don’t have your insurance history letters when you first apply for Autoplan insurance, you have up to six months to obtain them and submit a Claim-Rated Scale application. Once your letters and application are received, ICBC will determine if you are entitled to a Claim-Rated Scale discount. Simply complete this application form (PDF) and return it to us at:

CRS Discount Applications — Room 136
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
151 West Esplanade
North Vancouver BC V7M 3H9

Renewing your insurance

When you come to renew your insurance (typically a year later), your vehicle may need to pass an AirCare test external link . This measures its emissions to make sure it meets clean-air standards.