"Prorate" plates for commercial vehicles

What are prorate plates?

Prorate plates are licence plates issued for commercial vehicles that regularly travel into two or more jurisdictions in Canada or the U.S. The plates exempt carriers from having to buy trip permits when they enter a jurisdiction.

For full details about prorate plates, download the B.C. Apportioned Registration Manual —also known as the "prorate manual" (PDF).

 What vehicles need prorate plates?

Commercial vehicles that normally require trip permits when entering other U.S. or Canadian jurisdictions need prorate plates.

Carriers may prorate their vehicle(s) if the vehicles

• travel into two or more IRP jurisdictions, and
• are used to transport passengers for hire, or are designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

How do I get prorate plates?

The first step is to apply to the B.C. Prorate Office for a prorate account.

To obtain a prorate account, a carrier must do the following:

• Be registered with the Registrar of Companies in Victoria, B.C. (if applying under a company or firm name).
• Have a National Safety Code (NSC) Certificate. For more information, please contact NSC: 250-952-0576.
• If operating vehicles over 11,800 kilograms, or vehicles that have three axles (regardless of weight), obtain a B.C. International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) number. For more information, please contact IFTA: 250-387-0635.
• Complete and submit the Established Place of Business Questionnaire (PDF).
• Complete and submit a Prorate Fleet Application (PDF) using one of the following two methods of estimating distances:
  1. B.C. Estimated Kilometre Chart (PDF), or
  2. B.C. Estimated Kilometre Formula Worksheet (PDF)
• Complete and submit a Prorate Vehicle Application (PDF), along with a copy of the bill of sale or lease agreement for each vehicle.

Once the prorate account has been set-up, contact an Autoplan broker to obtain your prorate plates and insurance.

How long does it take to get my plates?

Processing applications for new prorate accounts takes a minimum of five business days.

How much do prorate plates cost?

The cost of prorate plates vary. For details, see the prorate manual (PDF).

Contact B.C.'s prorate office

• B.C. Lower Mainland: 604-443-4450
  
• Toll-free in B.C.: 1-800-665-4336
  
• Fax: 604-443-4451 

Office hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Mailing address: ICBC Prorate Office PO Box 7500, Stn Terminal Vancouver, BC  V6B 5R9

Other useful contacts

• Commercial Transport Program: 1-800-559-9688
• Consumer Taxation Branch: 604-660-4524
• International Fuel Tax Agreement: 250-387-0635
• National Safety Code: 250-952-0576
• Passenger Transportation Branch: 250-356-0528