Vehicle registration
Veteran plates
In recognition our Canadian veterans, we’ve created a special plate to honour your service.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for veteran licence plates if you own or lease an eligible vehicle, and were honourably discharged from, or are currently serving in one of the following:
WWII, Korea, Gulf War, the Balkan Wars, Afghanistan, or other UN Peacekeeping Missions as a member of:
The Canadian Armed Forces, or
An Allied Force, or
The Canadian or Allied War Time Merchant Navy
A member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Regular or Reserves, who successfully completed basic training
UN or NATO Operations as a member of:
The Canadian Armed Forces, or
A UN or NATO Alliance Force serving in an Operation with the Canadian Armed Forces
UN or NATO operation under command of the Canadian Armed Forces as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Municipal Police, or Correctional Services of Canada
Similarly qualified member of a British Commonwealth of Nations Armed Force
who are honourably discharged. Unfortunately, currently serving members are not eligible.
Types of vehicles that can have veteran plates
Veteran plates can be used on:
Most passenger vehicles such as SUVs, station wagons, sedans, and convertibles
Motorhomes
Most trucks, vans, or buses with a GVW of 5,500 kg or less
Motorcycles.
Eligible vehicles with more than one owner or lessee if at least one of the owners or lessees has been approved for veteran plates
Veteran plates can't be used on:
Trucks, vans, or buses with a GVW greater than 5,500 kg
Antique vehicles with vintage licence plates
Collector vehicles licensed with collector licence plates
Trailers
Vehicles with conditional licences, except when the vehicle is owned by a person who has lost a limb through active service in the Canadian Armed Forces or a veteran who served in the Canadian Armed Forces and is receiving a 100 per cent disability pension
Farm tractors, special fleet vehicles and industrial vehicles
ATVs, golf carts, snowmobiles.
Company-owned vehicles or vehicles owned by an organization, even when driven exclusively by a veteran
Applying for veteran plates
1. Complete an application form
Other places you can find the application form:
Any Autoplan broker
2. Attach your proof of service documents
Check which proof of service documents you require and attach them as photocopies to your application form.
Discharged Members
Discharge Certificate or Certificate of Service
NDI 10, NDI 20, NDI 75
DND 2279 & CF 707 if less than 10 years of service
CF54 if 10 or more years of service
Library and Archives Canada Record of Service
Currently Serving Members
Military Identification Card and Members Personal Record Resume (MPRR)
NDI 10, NDI 20
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Municipal Police Service, Correctional Service of Canada
Certification from the officer in charge of Human Resources in your department stating the member has serviced under Canadian Armed Forces Command in a UN or NATO Operation and has been honourably discharge or is currently serving.
3. Payment
A $10 application charge, cheque, or money order made out to the BC Veterans Commemorative Association, covers the administrative costs associated with processing the application form.
Please don't send cash when submitting your application.
4. Submit your application
Mail the following to the B.C. Veteran's Commemorative Association address on the plate application form:
Completed application form
Proof of service documents, and
$10 cheque or money order
The BCVCA will mail your approved application form back to you within about three weeks.
Once you've been approved for veteran plates you do not need to be re-approved if you wish to obtain additional veteran plates in the future.
Ordering and picking-up veteran plates
1. Order plates at your Autoplan broker
After you receive an approved application form back from the BCVCA, bring the following to your Autoplan broker to order your plates:
Original approved veteran plate application form
Your insurance papers
If you would like veteran plates for more than one eligible vehicle that you own or lease then bring the owner's certificate of insurance, and vehicle registration for each vehicle.
After placing the order, your broker will return the original application form because you will need it if you wish to order additional veteran plates in the future.
2. Pick-up your new veteran plates and return your current plates
It will take about four weeks for the plates to arrive at your broker, so they will contact you when the plates arrive.
When you go to pick up your plates, bring the following items so your broker can process the plate replacement:
Current licence plates
Your insurance papers
If you've ordered veteran plates for more than one eligible vehicle, be sure to bring the plates and your insurance papers for each vehicle.
Costs
There's a $10 application charge from the BC Veterans Commemorative Association to cover the administrative costs associated with processing the application form.
Veteran plates are free when you surrender your current documents and regular plates to your Autoplan broker. If a plate has been lost or stolen, you'll need to pay an $18 plate replacement fee.
For new vehicle purchases, and lease vehicle buy-outs or trade-ins, you'll need to purchase new regular plates for a cost of $18 before you can get veteran plates for the vehicle.
Ordering additional veteran plates
Once you've been approved for veteran plates by the BC Veterans Commemorative Association you do not need to be re-approved if you wish to purchase additional veteran plates in the future. Just take your original approved application form to your broker's office and they will order the additional veteran plates for you.
If you've previously purchased veteran plates but are unable to locate your original approved application form your broker will contact ICBC to confirm your eligibility.
Returning leased vehicles with veteran plates
If you return a vehicle that you're leasing, you'll need to surrender the veteran plates to your Autoplan broker and cancel your Autoplan policy.
The Autoplan broker will then issue new regular plates for the vehicle and order new veteran plates. Your broker will contact you when the new plates have arrived.
Replacing lost, stolen or damaged veteran plates
If one or more of your veteran plates are lost, stolen or damaged, you'll need to turn in any remaining plates to your Autoplan broker and pay an $18 plate replacement fee to obtain regular plates. Your Autoplan broker will order new veteran plates and contact you when the plates arrive. These new veteran plates will be provided free of charge.
For more information on veteran plate eligibility, call B.C. Veterans Commemorative Association at 604-770-3498 or visit www.bcveterans.org.
