What a British Columbia license plate is and how to get one

A British Columbia license plate is the metal plate issued by the province that displays your vehicle's registration number. It's required by law to display one on the front and back of your vehicle before you can drive on public roads. You get a plate when you register your vehicle with the BC Registry of Vehicles, either through a ServiceBC office, an authorized dealer, or online through the BC Services Portal.

The plate itself stays with the vehicle, not the owner. When you sell the vehicle, the new owner registers it and gets their own plate. If you move out of BC or your vehicle is no longer roadworthy, you return the plate to avoid paying renewal fees.

BC plates are issued in a standard format: two letters, three numbers, and one letter (for example, ABC 123 D). The format changed in 2017 to accommodate the growing number of vehicles in the province. Older plates with different formats are still legal to display, but you cannot request one of those older styles when you renew.

Key Takeaways

  • You must display a BC plate on both the front and back of your vehicle, and you get it when you register through ServiceBC, an authorized dealer, or online.
  • The plate stays with the vehicle when you sell it; the new owner registers it and receives a new plate in their name.
  • BC plates follow the format of two letters, three numbers, and one letter, a system introduced in 2017.
  • You renew your plate every two years along with your vehicle registration, and the cost is included in your registration renewal fee.
  • If you leave BC or your vehicle is no longer in use, you must return the plate to avoid paying renewal fees on a vehicle you no longer own.

How to register a vehicle and receive your first plate

When you purchase a vehicle in BC, you have 30 days to register it. You'll need the vehicle's purchase documents, proof of ownership, your driver's license, and proof of BC residency (such as a utility bill or lease agreement). You can register at any ServiceBC office, through an authorized insurance broker or dealer, or online through the BC Services Portal if you have a BC Services Card.

The registration fee varies depending on the vehicle's weight and type. When you pay the registration fee, the plate fee is included. You'll receive your plate in the mail within one to two weeks if you registered online or at a ServiceBC office. If you registered through a dealer or broker, they may give you a temporary plate to use while you wait for the permanent one.

You do not choose your plate number. BC assigns numbers randomly from its available pool. Personalized plates (custom plates with letters or numbers you choose) are available as an optional add-on for an additional fee, but they are not required.

Renewing your plate and registration every two years

Your BC vehicle registration and plate expire on the same date, typically two years from when you first registered the vehicle. You'll receive a renewal notice in the mail about 30 days before expiration. You can renew online through the BC Services Portal, by mail, at a ServiceBC office, or through an authorized insurance broker.

The renewal fee includes both the registration and the plate. You do not receive a new physical plate unless yours is damaged, lost, or stolen. If your plate is in good condition, you keep using the same one. The expiry date is shown on your vehicle registration document and on your insurance card, not on the plate itself.

If you renew late, you cannot legally drive the vehicle on public roads. Driving with an expired registration can result in a ticket and fines. If you know your renewal date is approaching and you cannot renew by mail or online in time, visit a ServiceBC office in person.

Replacement plates for lost, stolen, or damaged plates

If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement at a ServiceBC office or through an authorized insurance broker. You'll need to provide your vehicle registration number and proof of ownership. There is a fee for a replacement plate, separate from your registration renewal fee.

If your plate is stolen, you may want to report it to the RCMP or local police, especially if you're concerned about it being used on another vehicle. Provide them with your plate number and vehicle information. Keep a copy of the police report for your records.

If your plate is damaged but still readable, you can continue using it until your next registration renewal. At renewal time, you can request a replacement plate as part of that process. If the plate is so damaged that the number is no longer visible, replace it when ready to avoid being stopped by police.

Personalized and specialty plates in British Columbia

BC offers personalized plates that display letters and numbers of your choice, within certain limits. You can request up to seven characters (letters, numbers, or a combination). Some character combinations are not allowed if they are offensive, already in use, or reserved by the province. The personalized plate fee is added to your registration renewal cost.

BC also issues specialty plates for specific groups, such as disabled persons plates, veteran plates, and environmental plates. Disabled persons plates come with parking privileges that allow the holder to park in accessible spaces. To get a disabled persons plate, you must have a valid Persons with Disabilities Parking Permit issued by the province. Veteran plates are available to military veterans who meet certain service requirements.

Environmental plates (sometimes called "green" plates) are available to owners of zero-emission vehicles. These plates do not provide any special driving or parking privileges; they are primarily for identification. The fee for specialty plates is the same as for standard plates.

What happens when you sell your vehicle or leave BC

When you sell your vehicle, the plate remains with the vehicle. The new owner will register it in their name and receive a new plate. You do not transfer your old plate to another vehicle. If you want to keep a personalized plate you've been using, you must contact ServiceBC before the sale to have the plate removed from that vehicle. You can then request that same personalized plate on a new vehicle during registration, subject to availability and fees.

If you move out of BC, you must return your plate to avoid being charged renewal fees. You can return it by mail to ServiceBC or in person at a ServiceBC office. Once returned, your registration is cancelled and you will not be billed for future renewals. If you move to another province and register your vehicle there, that province will issue you a new plate.

If your vehicle is no longer roadworthy and you're not selling it, you can cancel your registration and return the plate. This stops the renewal fees from accumulating. You'll need to provide proof that the vehicle is off the road (such as a letter from a scrap yard or storage facility).

Displaying your plate correctly and legal requirements

BC law requires you to display your license plate on both the front and back of your vehicle. The plate must be clearly visible, not obscured by dirt, snow, or any object. The numbers and letters must be readable from a distance of at least 15 metres. If your plate is covered, obscured, or illegible, you can be ticketed by police.

You cannot alter, deface, or cover your plate. You cannot use a plate cover that makes the plate harder to read, even if it claims to protect the plate from weather or dirt. You also cannot display a plate that is not currently registered to your vehicle.

If you have a temporary plate (usually a paper plate issued when you register through a dealer), you must display it in the rear window of your vehicle until you receive your permanent metal plate. Once the permanent plate arrives, remove the temporary plate and display the metal plate on both the front and back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my BC plate if I move to another province?

No. Your BC plate is registered to your vehicle in BC and is only valid in BC. If you move to another province, you must return your BC plate and register your vehicle in the new province. The new province will issue you a plate for that jurisdiction.

What do I do if my plate is unreadable or faded?

Contact a ServiceBC office or authorized insurance broker to request a replacement plate. There is a fee for this service. You can continue driving with an unreadable plate only if you report it and request a replacement when ready; driving with an illegible plate can result in a ticket.

Can I transfer my personalized plate to a different vehicle?

Yes, but you must contact ServiceBC before you sell or transfer the original vehicle. You can request to have the personalized plate removed and held for you. When you register a new vehicle, you can request that same personalized plate, subject to availability and payment of the personalized plate fee.

Do I need to display a plate on a vehicle that is not driven on public roads?

No. If your vehicle is stored and not driven on public roads, you can cancel your registration and return the plate. You will not be charged renewal fees. If you later want to drive it again, you can re-register it and receive a new plate.

What happens if I don't renew my registration by the expiry date?

Your vehicle registration and plate expire on the same date. Driving with an expired registration is illegal and can result in a ticket and fines. You must renew before the expiry date to legally drive on public roads. If you miss the important date, renew as soon as possible and do not drive the vehicle until it is renewed.