Is It Possible To Register a Car With Outstanding Fines in British Columbia?
You cannot register or renew the registration of a vehicle in British Columbia if you have outstanding fines or other debts owed to the provincial government under the Motor Vehicle Act and regulations administered by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)
Outstanding Fines and Registry Services Suspension
The provincial collection program enforces payment of all debts owed to the provincial government. When fines, penalties, or other amounts become overdue, the program implements enforcement actions that include suspension of motor vehicle and driver licensing services through ICBC.
The collection system operates under the authority of the Financial Administration Act and other provincial legislation, providing broad powers to restrict access to government services as a mechanism to encourage payment compliance.
Types of Fines That Block Registration
The following categories of outstanding debts will prevent vehicle registration and renewal:
- Traffic violation tickets - Issued under the Motor Vehicle Act for speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, and other traffic offences
- Criminal Code fines - Court-ordered monetary penalties resulting from criminal convictions
- Violation tickets - Penalties issued under various provincial statutes
- Provincial sales tax debts - Outstanding amounts owed to the provincial tax authority
- ICBC insurance debts - Unpaid insurance premiums or other amounts owed to ICBC
Registry Services Affected
When you have outstanding debts to the provincial government, you will be unable to access the following services through ICBC:
- Vehicle registration for newly acquired vehicles
- Vehicle registration renewals
- Transfer of vehicle ownership
- Driver's licence renewals
- Driver's licence reinstatements
- Replacement driver's licences
- Replacement licence plates or decals
- Disabled parking permits
Payment Options and Processing Times
Online Payment Methods
Outstanding traffic violation tickets and fines can be paid through several convenient channels:
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PayBC online portal - Violation tickets beginning with the letters "E" or "S" can be paid online at pay.gov.bc.ca. Have your ticket number and payment method ready when accessing the portal.
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Telephone payment service - Call 1-888-343-2240 or 604-661-2240 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Payment can be made using Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Visa Debit, or Debit MasterCard. Have your driver's licence and ticket information available when calling.
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In-person payment locations - Payments are accepted at the following locations:
- ICBC driver licensing offices (by appointment only)
- Provincial court registries
- Most Autoplan broker locations
Accepted payment methods for in-person transactions include cash, debit card, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and money orders.
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Payment by mail - Send a cheque or money order payable to the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, along with a photocopy of the front of your ticket or a note containing the ticket number and date, your full name, address, driver's licence number, date of birth, and the Act and Section number of the offence. Mail to:
Ticket Payment Processing
Bag 3505
Victoria, B.C.
V8W 3N9
Processing and Service Restoration
For in-person payments: If you make a payment at an Autoplan broker, ICBC driver licensing office, or court registry using guaranteed funds, the payment will be reflected on your account within 24 hours.
For mail and online banking payments: These payment methods require processing time of approximately two weeks before the payment is reflected on your account and registry services are restored.
For PayBC online and telephone payments: Processing times typically require 3 to 5 business days before registry services are restored.