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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!