How To Cancel Car Registration In British Columbia
Vehicle registration cancellation in British Columbia is governed by the Motor Vehicle Act, RSBC 1996, c 318 and the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation (B.C. Reg. 334/91). Vehicle owners must follow specific procedures through authorized Autoplan brokers to properly cancel their insurance and registration and potentially receive refunds for unused registration periods.
Autoplan Broker Services
To cancel your vehicle registration in British Columbia, you must visit an authorized Autoplan broker or submit your cancellation request by mail. Autoplan brokers are private businesses licensed by ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) to provide vehicle registration and insurance services on behalf of the provincial government and are authorized to process vehicle registration cancellations under provincial legislation.
Required Documentation and Procedures
In-Person Cancellation Process
To cancel your vehicle registration in person, you must visit an Autoplan broker with the following required documents:
- Primary and secondary identification as specified by ICBC
- Your current licence plate(s) or police file number if the plates were lost or stolen
- Owner's certificate (insurance and registration document)
- If the vehicle is jointly owned, both owners will need to be present
Mail-In Cancellation Process
If you still have your B.C. licence plates and are cancelling from outside British Columbia, you may submit your cancellation request by mail:
- Send your licence plates
- Include a signed request letter with your contact information
- Provide your owner's certificate (insurance and registration)
- Send documents via mail, fax to 604-661-6727, or email to insurancecustomerservice@icbc.com
Important Note: In British Columbia, your insurance and licence plates are directly linked. Cancelling your insurance policy also cancels your vehicle registration. You cannot maintain vehicle registration without active insurance coverage.
Special Circumstances and Authorizations
Multiple Registrants
When a vehicle has multiple owners listed on the registration certificate, both owners must be present at the Autoplan broker to sign the cancellation documentation. This requirement ensures proper authorization for the cancellation process.
Third-Party Authorization
If you are not the registered owner or if someone else is handling the cancellation on your behalf, specific authorization procedures may apply. Contact your Autoplan broker or ICBC Insurance Customer Service at 1-800-663-3051 for guidance on third-party authorization requirements.
Out-of-Province Moves
When moving to another province or territory, you must cancel your B.C. insurance and registration before registering your vehicle in the new jurisdiction. If you have already moved and still have your B.C. licence plates, you can mail them to ICBC along with your cancellation request as outlined in the mail-in process above.
Can You Get a Refund on Vehicle Registration in British Columbia?
Yes, vehicle owners in British Columbia may be eligible for refunds when cancelling their vehicle registration and insurance before the policy expiry date. The sooner you cancel your licence plates and insurance, the more you may get back if you're eligible for a refund.
Refund Calculation and Processing
Refund Eligibility Criteria
Refunds are calculated based on the remaining time left on your insurance policy period. To be eligible for a refund, you must:
- Return your licence plates to the Autoplan broker or provide a police file number if lost or stolen
- Complete the proper cancellation documentation
- Pay the applicable $30.00 cancellation fee
- Have no outstanding insurance payment plan balances
Government Cancellation Fee
A mandatory $30.00 cancellation fee is deducted from insurance policy refunds. This fee cannot be waived or reduced and applies to most policy cancellations.
Non-Refundable Fees
The following fees are non-refundable and will be deducted from any refund amount:
- Transfer of ownership fees
- New licence plate fees ($18.00)
- Payment plan enrolment fees
- Any outstanding payment plan balances
Refund Processing Timeline
Standard Processing Period
If you are eligible for a refund, ICBC will mail you a cheque after processing your cancellation. Processing times vary depending on government workload and verification requirements. Refunds are typically processed within several weeks of cancellation.
Payment Plan Customers
If you are on a payment plan, you should cancel at least one day before your payment is due. Depending on your situation, there may be an additional withdrawal from your account to cover any missed payments or non-refundable fees.
Refund Inquiry Process
If you have questions about your refund, contact:
ICBC Insurance Customer Service
1-800-663-3051
Email: insurancecustomerservice@icbc.com
For general inquiries, you can also contact ICBC through their customer service channels.
Service Fee Regulations
ICBC is a provincial Crown corporation that provides vehicle insurance and registration services in British Columbia. If you experience issues with Autoplan broker services or refund processing, you may:
- Contact your Autoplan broker directly to resolve service concerns
- Call ICBC Insurance Customer Service at 1-800-663-3051
- Submit a formal complaint through ICBC's complaint process
For matters related to Autoplan broker licensing or regulatory compliance, contact the Insurance Council of British Columbia.