How Much To Register a Car In British Columbia?
Passenger vehicle registration fees in British Columbia are administered through ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia) at authorized Autoplan brokers throughout the province. All vehicle registrations in BC are governed by the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation and must include mandatory insurance coverage through ICBC's Autoplan system.
Standard Registration Fees for Passenger Vehicles
Standard passenger vehicle registration fees in British Columbia vary based on vehicle weight classifications under the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation:
| Vehicle Weight Category | Annual Licence Fee |
|---|---|
| Not exceeding 250 kg | $46.00 |
| 251 kg to 700 kg | $46.00 |
| 701 kg to 1,000 kg | $46.00 |
| 1,001 kg to 1,400 kg | $53.00 |
| 1,401 kg to 1,900 kg | $61.00 |
| 1,901 kg to 2,300 kg | $84.00 |
| 2,301 kg to 2,800 kg | $122.00 |
| Exceeding 2,800 kg | $142.00 |
Additional Registration Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration fee (all vehicles) | $18.00 |
| Number plate issuance | $18.00 |
| Transfer of title or licence | $28.00 |
Motorcycle and Off-Highway Vehicle Registration Costs
| Vehicle Type | Annual Licence Fee |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | $33.00 |
| Registration fee | $18.00 |
| Number plate issuance | $18.00 |
Specialty Vehicle Registration:
| Vehicle Type | Registration Fee | Annual Licence Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Antique motor vehicles | $18.00 | $35.00 |
| Collector motor vehicles | $18.00 | $35.00 |
| Collector motorcycles | $18.00 | $35.00 |
Antique vehicles must be substantially unchanged since manufacture and over 30 years old. Collector vehicles must be 25 years or older, or limited production discontinued vehicles 15 years or older with specific usage restrictions.
Trailer Registration Fees
Trailer registration fees are calculated based on gross vehicle weight ratings:
| Trailer Weight Category | Annual Licence Fee |
|---|---|
| Not exceeding 700 kg | $23.00 |
| 701 kg to 1,400 kg | $23.00 |
| 1,401 kg to 2,100 kg | $26.00 |
| 2,101 kg to 2,800 kg | $28.00 |
| 2,801 kg to 3,400 kg | $30.00 |
| 3,401 kg to 4,100 kg | $37.00 |
| 4,101 kg to 4,800 kg | $44.00 |
| 4,801 kg to 5,500 kg | $47.00 |
| 5,501 kg to 6,200 kg | $50.00 |
| 6,201 kg to 6,900 kg | $53.00 |
| Exceeding 6,900 kg | Fees range up to $99.00 |
Standard Trailer Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | $18.00 |
| Number plate issuance | $18.00 |
All trailers being towed by BC-plated vehicles are covered under the towing vehicle's ICBC insurance policy.
Commercial Vehicle Registration Costs
Commercial vehicle registration costs depend on vehicle classification and weight ratings:
Light Commercial Vehicles (5,500 kg and less):
| Vehicle Weight Category | Annual Licence Fee |
|---|---|
| Motor homes not exceeding 2,300 kg | $63.00 |
| Motor homes 2,301 kg to 3,200 kg | $89.00 |
| Motor homes exceeding 3,200 kg | $125.00 |
Special Commercial Licences:
| Licence Type | Annual Fee | Additional Plates |
|---|---|---|
| Transporter's licence | $125.00 | $125.00 each |
| Demonstration licence | $125.00 | One plate included |
| Manufacturer's licence | $125.00 | $125.00 each additional |
| Repairperson's licence | $125.00 | $125.00 each additional |
Heavy commercial vehicles over 5,500 kg require specialized licensing and fees calculated based on International Registration Plan (IRP) requirements and gross vehicle weight ratings.
Specialty and Commemorative Plate Fees
British Columbia offers several specialty licence plate options through ICBC:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application fee (one-time) | $100.00 |
| Annual renewal fee | $40.00 |
| Replacement personalized plate | $18.00 |
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Initial BC Parks plate | $50.00 |
| Annual renewal fee | $40.00 |
Antique and Special Use Vehicle Registration
British Columbia provides special registration categories for heritage and veteran vehicles:
Antique and Collector Vehicle Fees:
| Vehicle Type | Annual Licence Fee |
|---|---|
| Antique motor vehicles and motorcycles | $35.00 |
| Collector motor vehicles and motorcycles | $35.00 |
| Multi-vehicle collector plate | $75.00 |
Veteran Licence Plates:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| BCVCA application processing | $10.00 |
| Veteran plates (with plate surrender) | No charge |
| Replacement fee (lost/stolen plates) | $18.00 |
Veteran plates are available to eligible Canadian Armed Forces members, Allied veterans, and qualified police/correctional service members. Applications must be processed through the BC Veterans Commemorative Association.
Additional Registration Fees
Administrative and replacement services carry standardized fees under the Motor Vehicle Fees Regulation:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Duplicate vehicle permit | $18.00 |
| Number plate substitution | $18.00 |
| Temporary operation permit | $12.00 minimum |
| BC assigned vehicle identification number | $25.00 |
| Safety certificate application | $200.00 |
| Transfer of salvage vehicle | $28.00 |
| Filing proof of financial responsibility | $30.00 |
All fees are established under provincial regulation and administered through ICBC's network of authorized Autoplan brokers. Payment methods accepted include Visa, Mastercard, debit, cash, and certified cheques. Outstanding traffic violations or administrative penalties may be applied to registration fees at the time of service. Current fee schedules are maintained on the BC Laws website and through ICBC's official channels.