ICBC.com

Snowmobiles

What is a snowmobile?

Snowmobile means a motor vehicle that is:

designed for travel on snow or ice;
has one or more steering skis;
is self-propelled by means or one or more endless belts driven in contact with the ground; and
has a seat designed for sitting astride.

Do I have to register my snowmobile?

All snowmobiles must be registered, no matter what they are used for or where they're used, as required by the Motor Vehicle (All Terrain) Act.

To register your snowmobile, go to any Driver Licensing Centre (except Expressways). When it's registered, you will be issued two reflective decals. These must be displayed on both sides of the snowmobile.

Do I need licence plates and insurance?

A snowmobile must be licensed and insured if:

the snowmobile will be crossing a road that the public has access to drive on, or
if it is used in a parking lot.

Before you can license and insure your snowmobile, you must obtain an Operation Permit. This permit states where and when the snowmobile may cross a road. It must be kept with your snowmobile at all times.

For more information about Operation Permits, or to get one for your snowmobile, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

Once the snowmobile has been registered and has its permit, you can apply to license and insure it, as required by the Motor Vehicle Act. You can do this at any Autoplan broker.

For snowmobiles, a restricted licence plate is issued. The restricted plate shows that the vehicle's use on a highway is limited. (The Operation Permit explains what its use is limited to.)

For more information:

Phone Vehicle Registration Support at (604) 661-6611 (collect calls accepted). Or write to: