ICBC | Registering a vehicle in B.C.

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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.

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

Follow the instructions that apply to your situation.

The vehicle you need to register is

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 update the registration, and license and insure it.
you're bringing a vehicle to B.C. from another province or territory	make sure you have the following documents before going to the Autoplan broker: the vehicle registration document. (If the vehicle is from Nova Scotia, this document is called the Certificate of Title.) a "passed" vehicle inspection report from a designated inspection facility in B.C. required ID, and a signed and dated bill of sale if the vehicle is not registered in your name. Sometimes a vehicle registration document, signed by the registered owner of the vehicle and naming you as the new owner, is acceptable instead of a bill of sale.
you are bringing a vehicle to B.C. from outside of Canada	contact the agency that handles vehicle imports: the Registrar of Imported Vehicles. after you have met the import requirements, you can register, license and insure your vehicle at any Autoplan broker. Important: Most vehicles must be registered, licensed and insured within 30 days of arriving in B.C. Vehicles intended for commercial use must be registered, licensed and insured immediately.

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.

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

Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence

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.
Vehicle registration

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.
Transfer/tax form

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.