Find a location


Register License Vehicle

Before you can get licence plates and insurance for a vehicle in British Columbia, the vehicle must be registered with ICBC.

Registering serves as the official record of your vehicle. It also identifies you as its owner.

How do I register a vehicle?

The steps you take and documents you need vary, depending in part on where the vehicle is currently registered.

Important: Most vehicles must be registered, licensed and insured within 30 days of purchase. Vehicles intended for commercial use must be registered, licensed and insured immediately.

For more information about vehicle registration, please speak to an Autoplan broker.

If … Then …
you buy a vehicle that's already registered to another person or company in B.C. go to your local Autoplan broker to complete the transfer of ownership and update the registration, then license and insure it.
you're bringing a vehicle to B.C. from another province or territory before the vehicle can be registered in B.C., in most cases you will need:
  • the vehicle's current registration
  • the Certificate of Title if your vehicle is from Nova Scotia
  • a "passed" vehicle inspection report from a designated inspection facilityexternal link in B.C. 
  • required ID, and
  • if the vehicle is not registered in your name, a signed and dated bill of sale. (Sometimes a vehicle registration document, signed by the registered owner of the vehicle and naming you as the new owner, is acceptable instead.)
To register, license and insure the vehicle, bring these documents to any Autoplan broker.
you are bringing a vehicle to B.C. from outside of Canada after going through the steps of importing the vehicle, you can register, license and insure it at any Autoplan broker.  

When is vehicle registration not needed?

The B.C. Motor Vehicle Act allows for the following exemptions.

When …  then registration isn't required …
motor vehicles and utility trailers are used for touring purposes for up to six months
motor vehicles and utility trailers (except for commercial vehicles) are used for non-touring purposes. for 30 days
you are a student or member of the armed forces but you must obtain an exemption permit.

Glossary
  • The top 2/3 of the document you get from your broker when you register, license and insure your vehicle. The signed certificate must be carried in your vehicle as proof that the vehicle is licensed and insured.
  • The bottom 1/3 of the document you get from your broker when you register, license and insure your vehicle. The signed certificate must be carried in your vehicle as proof that the vehicle is registered. If you sell your vehicle, you must give this certificate to the buyer.
  • A form available from your Autoplan broker that you must fill out when buying or selling a vehicle. Both buyer and seller must sign it.  Read more about the buying and selling paperwork.