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Registration & Insurance for Your Out of Province Vehicle
Are you moving to B.C.? There are a few steps you need to take in order to register and insure your vehicle here. Find out how!
Welcome to British Columbia!
and the world of ICBC Insurance…
ICBC’s Autoplan insurance products and services are available through more than 900 independent brokers (like us at Maxxam). ICBC’s driver licensing services are available through approximately 120 different offices, including expressways, Service BC centers and, appointed agency offices throughout B.C. However, in regards to your insurance needs - we’re bias… Maxxam is the best.
ICBC Autoplan made easy for out-of-province customers.
How long can you use your out of country or province driver's license?
If you are now a new resident of B.C., you can use your valid driver's license from another province or country for up to 90 days. If you're a tourist, you can drive in B.C. for up to six months as long as you have a valid driver's license from outside B.C.
Non-resident drivers, such as tourists and short-term workers, are able to drive in B.C. using their valid out-of-province driver's license for up to six months from the date they last entered the province. The six-month time period applies to all non-resident drivers, including those who may also have an international driving permit.
ICBC is unable to issue a driver's license to a non-BC resident. These customers should be directed to their home jurisdiction for any driver licensing needs, such as obtaining a renewal or replacement.
For more information regarding your driver’s license, please see icbc.com.
Here is B.C. we have an L (Learners), an N (NOVIS), and a full-license criteria.
How do you register and insure your vehicle?
If you move here with a vehicle (or if you're a returning B.C. resident), you need to register, license and insure the vehicle within 30 days of arriving. If you're driving a commercial motor vehicle, it must be registered, licensed and insured in B.C. immediately.
Passenger vehicles and most other vehicles will need to pass a mechanical safety inspection at a B.C. designated inspection facility before they can be registered, licensed and insured. These facilities are listed at th.gov.bc.ca/cvse.
When your vehicle has passed the inspection, bring the vehicle, the inspection report and the Vehicle Registration to us to register, license and insure it. You'll need to hand in your out-of-province plates (or send them back to your province). Make sure you bring valid primary ID and one piece of secondary ID. Go to icbc.com/accepted-ID to confirm acceptable ID.
If you're bringing a vehicle to B.C. from Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba… YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR AN EXEMPTION FROM A PROVINCIAL INSPECTION.
The vehicle owner must be:
a new or returning to B.C. resident, and
the same owner(s) in the previous jurisdiction making the application for registration in B.C.
The vehicle must have:
been registered in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba immediately prior to being imported to B.C. and
privately owned or leased by an individual(s) and not a company.
Any of the following vehicle must be 3,500 kg or less:
passenger vehicle
commercial vehicle or
motorhome
The model year of the vehicle must be either:
four years old (current year inclusive) or less; for example in 2018, vehicle model released in 2018 (year 1), 2017 (year 2), 2016 (year 3), 2015 (year 4), or
five years old or more and must have passed a provincial vehicle safety inspection in the previous jurisdiction within the last 90 days.
Vehicles not eligible for this exemption:
Vehicles with a salvage, rebuilt, or altered status on the Interprovincial Record Exchange or supporting documents
Vehicles owned or leased by a company or organization.
Contact us directly for more information whether your vehicle is exempt or not!
Do you need to pay tax when you register?
When you register your vehicle you will need to complete a Transfer/Tax form (APV9T) which is available at any Autoplan broker. Provincial sales tax (PST @ 12%) is payable at the time of registration, unless an exemption applies. If you are a new resident to B.C. and you bring a vehicle into the province solely for non-business use, the vehicle is exempt from PST provided that:
the vehicle arrives in B.C. within one year of you becoming a resident of the province, and
you owned the vehicle for at least 30 days before you became a resident of B.C.
Customers who don't qualify for the settler's effects exemption must pay PST on either
the vehicle's depreciated value, or
50 per cent of its purchase price whichever amount is greater.
UNLESS, you have a hybrid or fully-electric vehicle. No tax is collected as of Feb. 23rd, 2022 - see our blog post on this here.
In conclussion…
An out-of-province (or country) transfer can seem daunting, but realistically if you have all of the required documentation - it’s quick and easy with us at Maxxam Insurance. Our approach has always been to educate the insured on all of the options available to them. If you have questions regarding your registration and/or insurance, please contact us today!
Get a free quote
See how much or little ICBC Autoplan insurance is compared to where you’re coming from.
Note, the myth is true! We have private insurance options here… Ask us how.
Online Renewals and Decal Elimination
You may have heard that ICBC’s expanding their online insurance services. Online Autoplan insurance renewals will be available to most ICBC customers with a personal insurance policy for renewals effective May 1, 2022, onward.
Renew your Autoplan insurance in the convenience of your own home.
Online Renewals
The government announced that British Columbians will soon have the convenience of renewing their insurance online up to 45-days in advance. This means, some insureds can renew as early as March 17th (for a May 1st effective date).
Decal Elimination
EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2022.
Now, with the new online renewal system all BC drivers will no longer be required to display a decal. As many of you were probably curious regarding how you were supposed to obtain the decal with renewing online, you don’t need it!
Road Safety
Previously, law enforcement would scan your license plates decal to confirm active insurance. Now that ICBC is no longer issuing decals, law enforcement will remain up-to-date with ICBC’s changes, they will soon receive ALPR (automated license plate reader) to scan for active insurance.
The Broker
Now, this doesn’t totally eliminate the broker. We are still here to assist in the review of your online renewal, questions, concerns, and changes. This new online service is only applicable to renewal transactions; not for transfers, policy changes, or new plates.
Many of you have already taken advantage of ICBC's Insurance Business Continuity Plan (BCP: email and phone process), this feature remains available for brokers to use for the foreseeable future, this process is best to accommodate clientele who want to do business without face-to-face interaction.
All of our locations are open 7-days a week to assist you.
Renew with us.
In-person, or via phone and email. We’ll make it easy!
BREAKING: Changes to Vehicle Tax Collection
The more reason to purchase electric! Vehicles eligible for the exemption include: battery electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Though, some exclusions apply…
Tax changes on zero emission vehicles – effective Feb. 23, 2022.
The B.C. Government has released tax changes to the purchase and transfer of zero emission vehicles (ZEV). Vehicles that are eligible for the exemption include:
battery electric vehicles,
hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and,
plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Effective Feb. 23, the purchase or lease of used zero emission vehicles will be exempt from provincial sales tax (PST). The new tax exemption applies to both private and dealer sales.
Government changes on electric vehicle tax. More reason to go electric!
EXCLUSIONS:
For private sales, where ICBC collects the PST, the zero emissions vehicle must have 6,000 km or more showing on the vehicle's odometer to be eligible. (Note: the 6,000 km requirement does not apply to sales by GST registrants, such as a dealership, or vehicles imported from outside Canada).
The Government also announced changes to the way the graduated vehicle tax is calculated. Also beginning Feb. 23, the value of new zero emission vehicles are subject to the graduated vehicle tax which has increased to $75,000 from the previous $55,000. This change means new zero emission vehicles valued under $75,000 are not subject to the graduated vehicle tax. Note, the taxable threshold amount of $55,000 will remain in effect for non-ZEV vehicles.
(graduated income tax structure assesses greater tax rates on greater levels of income.)
Now, the change for new zero emission vehicles primarily impacts the B.C. motor vehicle dealers, as they collect the PST at time of purchase in the vast majority of new vehicle sales; however, us Autoplan brokers may need to collect the graduated vehicle tax on new vehicles purchased outside of B.C. If you’re purchasing a vehicle outside of B.C. or are moving to B.C. and have questions regarding tax collection, please give us a call!
Request a Quote
Thinking of purchasing a new vehicle? Or, coming up for renewal? Request a free quote with us today!
How to Fix a Flat Tire on the Go
You can’t fully enjoy your trip with your favorite people to your favorite places without ensuring that you are fully prepared to handle emergency situations. Here is a life-saving guide on how to fix a tire while you’re on the road.
Fixing a flat tire on the road is exhausting, but it’s an important skill for every driver.
With the pandemic still in place, one of the safest options to entertain is going on a road trip with your family or friends. Here in British Columbia, we are lucky to be surrounded by beautiful forests, lakes, oceans, and mountains to explore. However, you can’t fully enjoy your trip with your favorite people to your favorite places without ensuring that you are fully prepared to handle emergency situations. Here is a life-saving guide on how to fix a tire while you’re on the road.
First of all, you should double check that you have everything you need to deal with emergency situations on the road before you go. It is recommended that you always keep a plug kit in your trunk. A plug kit can be found in every auto repair shop and many department stores like Canadian Tire. Tire plugs are used temporarily for the tread part of the tire so that you don’t have to change the tire, and they can effectively block punctures that are up tp 1/4 in diameter.
Materials needed:
Air compressor/pump
Floor jack
Jack stands (optional)
Lug wrench
Needle nose pliers
Screwdriver (optional)
Tire plug kit
Step 1: chock the tires at the opposite end of the vehicle before you lift it.
You must have a solid, flat ground under which to operate the floor jack and use the parking brake to keep your vehicle steady while you are using it.
Step 2: unscrew the bolts or lugs.
Use a screwdriver to remove part of the wheel or hubcap that covers the lug nuts or bolts. Loosen the lug nuts or bolts fixing the wheel to the axle before lifting the vehicle. Once they are loosened, they can be easily removed once the vehicle is raised.
Step 3: lift the vehicle.
Use the floor jack to life the vehicle, ensuring that you place it underneath the a solid spot under the chassis. Take your time and, if the jack tilts or the base begins to come off the ground, stop immediately, rearrange the jack, and start over.
Step 4: remove the lug nuts or bolts and the tire.
Store these small objects in a safe space.
Step 5: remove the flat tire.
Take the tire off the axle, find the puncture, and set it aside to be fixed.
Step 6: find the object and remove it.
Locate the culprit causing the puncture and use the needle nose pliers to remove it.
Step 7: clean the puncture.
Use the rasp tool from the plug kit to place inside the puncture, drawing it back and forth many times and from all sides, until the hole is clean and ready for the plug.
Step 8: plug the puncture hole.
The plug kit comes with a long cord covered in a sticky substance like tar, and it might come with adhesive and a threading tool.
Use the threading tool and thread the cord into the eye of the tool to about half way. If the plug kit comes with adhesive, apply it before you thread the cord.
Force the threading tool into the puncture hole with the cord attached to it. Force it straight down without twisting it until it is about 2/3 of the way in with some length of the thread still poking from the hole. Force the threading tool straight back out to set the plug. Let any adhesive dry for a few minutes before continuing.
Step 9: remove the threading tool and cut the plug.
Remove the threading tool after the plug is set, and cut the excess plug until it is about flush with the tire tread. Use more adhesive to cover the plug before you reflate the tire.
Step 10: reflate the tire.
Do not go beyond the pressure specifications and check the tire pressure with a pressure gauge many times to ensure that the tire pressure is proper.
Step 11: Remount the tire on the vehicle.
Set the wheel on the axle, and begin to refit the lug nuts until they are hand tight.
Do not tighten them fully. Lower the vehicle a little for some of the vehicle’s weight to rest on the tire.
Step 12: Tighten the lug nuts fully.
Tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench or tire iron by tightening one and then the next one directly across from it.
Step 13: Lower the vehicle completely and remove the floor jack.
Check the tightness of each lug nut to make sure that they are secure. Take your car to an auto repair shop as soon as you can to get it repaired.
Don’t forget to contact Maxxam Insurance for your auto insurance needs!
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