Register a vehicle without documentation

This can happen if: 

• The previous owner didn’t provide proper paperwork or was not the registered owner 

• You took possession of the vehicle through a transfer by operation of law 

• You inherited or purchased a vehicle from an estate  

Registering the vehicle without documentation will depend on how you came into possession of the vehicle and who you purchased it from. You may be required to seek legal advice.  

Request a vehicle records search from ICBC with existing vehicle information 

Before contacting ICBC, gather and review the documents showing that you purchased the vehicle, including:  

• The year, make and model 

• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and serial number

  • Confirm that the VIN on the vehicle matches the VIN in your documents

• Any licence plates associated with the vehicle 

• Any proof of ownership documentation, such as: 

• A completed bill of sale with buyer and seller names, addresses and signatures; date and place of vehicle purchase; and purchase price 

• A completed Consumer Taxation Branch Gift of Vehicle form  

• A completed Transfer/Tax form 

Keep your original documentation, as you'll need it for vehicle registration. Make copies of all available documentation and mail them, along with a cheque, money order or bank draft for $7, payable to ICBC, to:  

Driver Testing and Vehicle Information 
205 -151 West Esplanade 
North Vancouver BC V7M 3H9 

We’ll provide any available info and your next steps.  

If you have questions about the vehicle record search request, contact us at 604-661-2233 or toll-free at 1-800-464-5050. 

If you have no proof of purchase 

If you don't have any documents proving you purchased the vehicle, or your documents are incomplete, you'll need to complete an Unregistered Vehicles and Missing Signatures Declaration  (MV1484) in front of a notary public or commissioner for taking affidavits.  

The declaration must include: 

• Vehicle’s VIN and year, make and model 

• Buyer’s name and address  

• Seller’s name 

• Where the vehicle was purchased

  • Place of sale or seller's complete address are acceptable

• When the vehicle was purchased

  • If the exact date is unknown, note the month and year 

• The amount paid or gifted vehicle 

• Reason for declaration 

• Proof of the document being notarized 

• Applicant's signature

If any of the above information is unknown, please indicate "unknown" where applicable.

If the statutory declaration is missing any of the above information and you add it later, you'll be required to have the document notarized again.

If no registration information is found 

In some circumstances, ICBC cannot locate a record of registration, or the vehicle seller is unable or willing to provide it, despite your best efforts. If that happens, you'll need to bring all your documentation and ICBC correspondence to your Autoplan broker, who will provide you with next steps in the registration process.

If registration information is found

When a record of registration has been found, ICBC will contact you with next steps for obtaining the proper documentation from the last registered owner.

B.C. Assigned VINs and pre-registration inspections

If ICBC confirms that you can register the vehicle in your name, it may have to first pass a mechanical and safety inspection at a designated inspection facility. If your vehicle also requires a B.C. Assigned VIN, the VIN tag is usually installed at the same time that the vehicle is inspected.

B.C. Assigned VINs

To confirm if your vehicle requires a B.C. Assigned VIN, please refer to the B.C. Assigned VIN program.

Pre-registration inspections

Not all vehicles will require an inspection. The most common vehicles that require a pre-registration inspection are due to the vehicles type (such as UBILT, amalgamated, replica and modified vehicles), what jurisdiction the vehicle was last registered in and the status of the vehicle.

To determine if your vehicle requires a pre-registration inspection, talk to your local Autoplan broker.

Register the vehicle at your Autoplan broker

If a B.C.-assigned VIN was required, your broker will need to verify the installation and match the VIN assignment letter to the VIN tag on your vehicle. Your broker can also provide options for driving or moving your vehicle.

If you have a motorcycle, note the displacement of the engine in CCs before you go to your broker.

Bring all documentation, returned mail and correspondence regarding your vehicle to your broker. This may include, but is not limited to:

• The original completed Transfer/Tax Form (APV9T). You'll sign it as the purchaser.

• The original signed registration document (APV250) from the last registered owner, if received

• The unopened returned registered letter, if received

• Your postal receipt for the registered letter

• The ICBC VIN assignment letter, if applicable

• Photocopies of any documents providing evidence of vehicle ownership

• The original completed Unregistered Vehicles and Missing Signatures Declaration

• The original or a photocopy of the search results letter and any other information from ICBC's Driver Testing and Vehicle Information department (as proof that you completed a vehicle records search)

• The "passed" Vehicle Inspection Report from the designated inspection facility (if your vehicle required an inspection)

Your broker will process an initial registration for your vehicle, give you your vehicle registration document and look after any other licensing and insurance needs.