Vehicle registration plates of British Columbia

The Canadian province of British Columbia first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1904. Registrants provided their own licence plates for display until 1913, when the province began to issue plates.^[1]

British Columbia

Current series
Slogan	Beautiful British Columbia
Size	12 in × 6 in 30 cm × 15 cm
Material	Aluminum
Serial format	AB1 23C
Introduced	1985 (1985)
Availability
Issued by	Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
Manufactured by	Waldale Manufacturing Limited, Amherst, Nova Scotia
History
First issued	January 1913 (1913-01) (pre-provincial plates from February 1904 to December 1912)
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As of 2022^[update], plates are issued by the provincial motor vehicle insurer, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.

Passenger baseplates

1913 to 1969

In 1956, Canada, the United States, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for licence plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.^[2] The 1954 (dated 1955) issue was the first British Columbia licence plate that complied with these standards.

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1913	White serial on blue porcelain plate; vertical "B.C." and "1913" at left and right respectively	none	1234	1 to approximately 6900
	1914	Black serial on white porcelain plate; "BC" monogram and "1914" at left	none	1234	1 to approximately 7900
	1915	White serial on green flat metal plate; provincial coat of arms at left with "B.C. 1915" below	none	1234	1 to approximately 7700
	1916	Black serial on yellow flat metal plate; provincial coat of arms at left with "B.C. 1916" below	none	1234	1 to approximately 9400
	1917	Black serial on white flat metal plate; provincial coat of arms at left with "B.C. 1917" below	none	12345	1 to approximately 13000
	1918–19	Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "BC" monogram and "1918" within box at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 22000	First embossed plate. Revalidated for 1919 with green tabs.
	1920–22	As 1918–19 base, but without box and with "1920" below monogram	none	12345	1 to approximately 39500	Revalidated for 1921 with red tabs, and for 1922 with green tabs.
	1923	Embossed yellow serial on green plate with border line; "BC 1923" at left	none	12345	1 to approximately 38500
	1924	Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "24" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 45-000	First use of the full province name.
	1925	Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "25" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 57-000
	1926	Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "26" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 69-000
	1927	Embossed black serial on orange plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "27" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 77-000
	1928	Embossed orange serial on black plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "28" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 90-000
	1929	Embossed black serial on tan plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "29" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 99-999
	1930	Embossed yellow serial on red plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "30" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 103-000
	1931	Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "31" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 108-000
	1932	Embossed white serial on brown plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "32" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 120-000
	1933	Embossed brown serial on yellow plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "33" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 99-000
	1934	Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "34" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 96-000
	1935	Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and "35" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 102-000
	1936	Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "36" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 89-000
	1937	Embossed black serial on cream plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "37" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 91-000
	1938	Embossed cream serial on brown plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "38" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 97-000
	1939	Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "39" at right	none	12-345	1 to approximately 99-000
	1940	Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "40" at right	none	12-345	1 to 99-999	'A' prefix serials were issued from Vancouver Island, 'B' prefixes from Vancouver, and 'F' prefixes from New Westminster. This practice continued through 1947.[3]
				A1-234	Coded by branch office (see right)
	1941	Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "41" at right	none	12-345	1 to 99-999
				A1-234	Coded by branch office
	1942	Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "42" at right	none	12-345	1 to 99-999	Produced in pairs but only single plates issued; the remaining plates were restamped and repainted for use in 1943, due to metal conservation for World War II.[4]
				A1-234	Coded by branch office
	1943	Embossed black serial on cream plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "43" at right	none	12-345	1 to 99-999	Restamped and repainted 1942 plates.
				A1-234	Coded by branch office
	1944	Embossed cream serial on black plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "44" at right	none	12-345	1 to 99-999
				A1-234	Coded by branch office
	1945	Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "45" at right	none	12-345	1 to 99-999
				A1-234	Coded by branch office
	1946	Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "46" at right	none	12-345	1 to 99-999
				A1-234	Coded by branch office
	1947	Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "47" at right	none	12-345	1 to 99-999
				A1-234	Coded by branch office
	1948	Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "48" at right	none	12-345	1 to 99-999
				A1-234	Coded by branch office
	1949	Embossed black serial on yellow plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "49" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 168-000
	1950–51	Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "50" at right	none	123-456	1 to approximately 237-000	Revalidated for 1951 with white tabs.
	1952–54	Embossed black serial on unpainted aluminum plate with border line; embossed totem and maple leaf graphic at right; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom, offset to left; "52" above graphic	none	12-345 A1-234 1A-234 1-234A		Revalidated for 1953 with blue tabs, and for 1954 with black tabs. Later plates manufactured without the graphic.
	1955	Embossed black serial on golden yellow plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA 55" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to approximately 310-000	First 6" x 12" plate.
	1956	Embossed golden yellow serial on black plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA 56" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to approximately 352-000
	1957	Embossed dark blue serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA 57" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to approximately 402-000
	1958	Embossed green serial on gold plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" centred at top	"1858 CENTENARY 1958" at bottom	123-456	1 to approximately 421-000	Commemorated the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Colony of British Columbia.
	1959	Embossed turquoise serial on maroon plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA 59" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to approximately 432-000
	1960	Embossed maroon serial on turquoise plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA 60" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to approximately 453-000
	1961	Embossed maroon serial on pink plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA 61" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to approximately 471-000
	1962	Embossed pink serial on maroon plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA 62" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to approximately 509-000
	1963	Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA 63" at bottom	none	123-456	1 to approximately 534-000
	1964	Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" centred at bottom; "64" at bottom right	"BEAUTIFUL" centred at top	123-456	1 to approximately 573-000	First use of the "Beautiful British Columbia" slogan.
	1965	Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" centred at bottom; "65" at top right	"BEAUTIFUL" centred at top	123-456	1 to approximately 630-000
	1966	Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" centred at bottom; "66" at top right	"BEAUTIFUL" centred at top	123-456	1 to approximately 674-000
	1967	Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" centred at bottom; "67" at top right	"BEAUTIFUL" centred at top	123-456	1 to approximately 720-000	Colours chosen to commemorate the centennial of Canadian Confederation.[5]
	1968	Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" centred at bottom; "19" at top left and "68" at top right	"BEAUTIFUL" centred at top	123-456	1 to approximately 762-000
	1969	Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" centred at bottom; "19" at top left and "69" at top right	"BEAUTIFUL" centred at top	123-456	1 to approximately 805-000

1970 to present

British Columbia introduced an ABC-123 serial format on its passenger plates in 1970. A split-alphabet system was used, with each letter advancing from A through K, or from L through X (the letters I, O, Q, U, Y and Z were omitted). Serials were thus issued in the following eight series: AAA–KKJ, AAL–KKX, ALA–KXK, ALL–KXX, LAA–XKK, LAL–XKX, LLA–XXK and LLL–XXX.^[3] When the ABC-123 format was exhausted in 2001, a reversed format, 123-ABC, was introduced, with the same split-alphabet system and thus the same eight series. Upon the exhaustion of this format in 2014, an AB1-23C format was introduced, with the split-alphabet system discontinued and each letter thus advancing from A through X.

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1970–72	Blue on white	Beautiful British Columbia	ABC-123	AAA-000 to KKJ-999; KLL-000 to KXX-999	Validated each year with stickers.
	1973–78	Blue on white	Beautiful British Columbia	ABC 123	LAA 000 to XKK 999; LLA 000 to XXK 999; LLL 000 to PXX 999	Later plates manufactured in Quebec using that province's serial dies.
	1979–85	White on blue	Beautiful British Columbia	ABC-123	AAA-000 to KKJ-999; AAL-000 to KKX-999; ALL-000 to KXX-999; ALA-000 to BRB-999	Early plates manufactured in Quebec.
	1985–2001	Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre	Beautiful British Columbia	ABC 123	LAA 000 to XXX 999
	2001– August 2014			123 ABC	000 AAA to 999 XXX; 000 MJG to 999 MXX	'M' series of serials initially reserved for 2010 Winter Olympics plates; unused serials were issued on the standard base in mid-2014 following 999 XXX. 'V' series reserved for Veteran plates. Numbers 400 through 499 omitted from serials starting in 2008, due to problems surrounding the number 4 among the province's Chinese population.[6]
	August 2014 –present			AB1 23C	AA0 00A to NX9 99X; SA0 00A to XJ9 99X (as of April 12, 2025)	Serials PA0 00A through RX9 99X reserved for BC Parks plates.

Truck plates 1973 to present

The current standard truck plate is issued to both commercial and private trucks, and also to buses and taxis.^[7]

Image	First issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1973	Black on white	Beautiful British Columbia	123-456	500-001 to 999-999
	1976	Orange on white	Beautiful British Columbia	12-34-AB	00-00-AA to approximately 25-00-DS	Letters I, O, Q, U and Z not used in serials; this practice continues today.[8]
	1979	Green on white	Beautiful British Columbia	12-34-AB	00-00-FA to approximately 10-00-LY
	1985	Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag used as separator	Beautiful British Columbia	1234 AB	0000 MB to 9999 YY; 0000 AA to approximately 9999 LR
	2008			AB 1234	AL 0000 to WN 9999 (as of November 17, 2024)

Non-passenger plates

Motorcycle plates

Image	First issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1974-78	Orange on white plate, "B.C." in top left corner; "MOTORCYCLE" screened at bottom centre.	none	123456
	1979-85	White on blue, "B.C." in top left corner; "MOTORCYCLE" screened at bottom centre.	none	A12-345
	1985	Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre	Beautiful British Columbia	N1-2345	J6-7000 to E9-9999	K4-2000 to S3-9999
	2021	Blue on reflective white with "M.C." in bottom left corner; BC sun logo in bottom right corner.	Beautiful British Columbia	N12345 1234A5	S59000 to J69999; 0000A0 to 9999A9 (As of November 10, 2024)

Antique plates

Image	Dates issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	1966-72	Black serial on white plate; "VINTAGE" screened at top	BRITISH COLUMBIA	123
	1972-74	Black serial on white plate; "VINTAGE" screened at top	BRITISH COLUMBIA	1 12
	1974-present	Black serial on white plate; "VINTAGE" screened at top	BRITISH COLUMBIA	1234	1001 to present	Issued to vehicles 25 years old or older, or 15 years old or older and of a limited production run.

Other non-passenger

Image	Type	First issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	Amateur radio		White background with blue text (identical to standard passenger plates)	Beautiful British Columbia	VE7ABC VA7ABC	VE7ABC to VE7XXX VA7ABC to VA7XXX	Available to holders of a valid amateur radio licence.[9]
	Collector	1990	White background with black text	none	B12 345 1M2-345	B00-001 to B39-999; 0M0-000 to 2M9-999	New serial format introduced in 2020.
	Dealer	1985	Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag used as separator; DEMONSTRATION screened in blue at top.	none	D1 2345	D0-0000 to D9-9999

Consular plates 1967 to present

Image	First issued	Design	Slogan	Notes	Serial format	Serials issued
	1967	The first year diplomat plates are issued with date stamped plates changing yearly from red-on-white, blue-on-white, and white-on-blue.	Beautiful British Columbia	Date stamped from 1967 to 1972	CONSUL 123
	1973	The first year for decals, small decals, in the blue-on-white colour scheme.	Beautiful British Columbia	Small decal from 1973 to 1978	CONSUL 123	101-500 501-600
	1979	The first year for large decals, in the white-on-blue colour scheme.	Beautiful British Columbia	Large decal from 1979 to 1985	CONSUL 123	002-100 601-999
	1986	The first year of the "flag graphic" plates with the blue-on-white colour scheme.	Beautiful British Columbia	Flag graphic	CONSUL 123	101-500 501-999
	2001	Continuation of the flag graphic with a change of serial format	Beautiful British Columbia	Flag graphic	CONSUL A12	A01-D99* *Unconfirmed
	2007	Red background with white writing and rising sun logo; created by ICBC and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa	none	Diplomat-level Representative - Includes dependents or International Organizations	DL 123A
	2007	Red background with white writing and rising sun logo; created by ICBC and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa	none	Career Consular Officers - Includes level foreign representatives and their dependents or Consular Post where headed by a Career Officer	CC 123A
	2007	Red background with white writing and rising sun logo; created by ICBC and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa	none	Honorary Consular Officers - Includes Canadian citizens, level foreign representatives or a Consular Post where headed by Honorary Consular	HC 123A
	2007	Red background with white writing and rising sun logo; created by ICBC and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa	none	Consular Staff - Includes administrative, technical and service level foreign representatives and their dependents	CS 123A
	2007	Red background with white writing and rising sun logo; created by ICBC and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa	none	Special Representative - Includes foreign officials and their dependents from Offices of Political Subdivisions of Foreign State and from other Office and for their Offices[10]	SR 123A

Specialty plates

2010 Olympics

Image	Type	First issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	Passenger	2007	Screened mountain design background with black lettering and the 2010 Winter Olympics logo in the centre	The Best Place On Earth	123 MBC	000 MAA to 999 MJF	Issued from April 16, 2007 to December 31, 2010. Surcharge supported Canada's Winter Olympic team.[11]
	Truck	2007	Screened mountain design background with black lettering and the 2010 Winter Olympics logo in the centre	The Best Place On Earth	AB 1234	AA 0000 to approximately AF 2500	Issued from April 16, 2007 to December 31, 2010. Surcharge supported Canada's Winter Olympic team.[11]
	Farm Truck	2007	Screened mountain design background with black lettering and the 2010 Winter Olympics logo in the centre	The Best Place On Earth	G1 2345	G9 0000 to G9 9999	Issued from April 16, 2007 to December 31, 2010. Surcharge supported Canada's Winter Olympic team.[11]
	Commercial Trailer	2007	Screened mountain design background with black lettering and the 2010 Winter Olympics logo in the centre	The Best Place On Earth	1234 5U	0000 0U to 9999 9U	Issued from April 16, 2007 to December 31, 2010. Surcharge supported Canada's Winter Olympic team.[11]
	Trailer	2007	Screened mountain design background with black lettering and the 2010 Winter Olympics logo in the centre	The Best Place On Earth	UYM 12A	UYM 00G to UYM 99G UYM 00C to UYM 99C	Issued from April 16, 2007 to December 31, 2010. Surcharge supported Canada's Winter Olympic team.[11]
	Motorcycle	2007	Screened mountain design background with black lettering and the 2010 Winter Olympics logo in the centre	The Best Place On Earth	V1 2345	V2 0000 to V2 9999	Issued from April 16, 2007 to December 31, 2010. Surcharge supported Canada's Winter Olympic team.[11]

BC Parks plates

On November 28, 2016, British Columbia announced its new BC Parks Future Strategy. This included the issuance by the ICBC of special licence plates, with the proceeds going towards preserving BC Parks.^[12] The three new plates were unveiled by the ICBC on January 18, 2017, and went on sale January 29, 2017, through the Autoplan broker network. Each plate costs $50 for the initial purchase, of which $33 goes towards funding BC Parks; thereafter, there is an annual renewal fee of $40, all of which goes towards funding the parks system.^[11] In less than eight weeks since going on sale, it was reported that 10,000 BC Parks plates had been sold; this included all three designs.^[13]

Image	First issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	2017	An image of a Kermode Bear as the background with black lettering. The Kermode Bear is also a provincial symbol. It is a white black bear subspecies; it is not albino.[14]	Beautiful British Columbia	PB123C RL123C	PA000A to PJ999X, RK000A to RN999X	Secondary slogan of "Discover BC Parks"
	2017	An image of the Purcell Mountains with the snow-capped peaks as the background with black lettering.	Beautiful British Columbia	PL123C RR123C	PK000A to PV999X, RP000A to RX999X	Secondary slogan of "Discover BC Parks"
	2017	An image of Porteau Cove overlooking Howe Sound as a background with black lettering.	Beautiful British Columbia	PX123C RB123C	PW000A to PX999X; RA000A to RJ999X	Secondary slogan of "Discover BC Parks"

Military plates

Image	Type	First issued	Design	Slogan	Serial format	Serials issued	Notes
	Veteran passenger	June 6, 2004	Powder blue background with black lettering, the national flag at the upper right, and a partial image of the national war memorial in Ottawa on the left side with a red poppy overlaid	VETERAN	123VBC	000VAA to 299VCK (as of June 30, 2022)	Issued to veterans who must be confirmed by one of the Veterans associations recognized by the provincial government.[15]
	Veteran truck	June 6, 2004	Powder blue background with black lettering, the national flag at the upper right, and a partial image of the national war memorial in Ottawa on the left side with a red poppy overlaid	VETERAN	1234LV	0000LV to 9999LT	Issued to veterans who must be confirmed by one of the Veterans associations recognized by the provincial government.[15]
	Veteran motorcycle		Powder blue background with black lettering, the national flag at the upper right, and a partial image of the national war memorial in Ottawa on the left side with a red poppy overlaid	VETERAN	V12345	V00001 to V03832 (as of August 30, 2022)	Issued to veterans who must be confirmed by one of the Veterans associations recognized by the provincial government.[15]
	Memorial Cross recipient	2016	White background with purple writing, the national flag at the upper right, and an image of the memorial cross on the left side	Memorial Cross Recipient	MC123R MC1234	MC000R to MC999R MC0000 to MC9999	As of November 10, 2016, this plate is issued to recipients of the Memorial Cross.[16] They can only be obtained by contacting the Manager of Provincial Vehicle Registration & Licensing at ICBC headquarters.[17]

Decals

From 1970 until May 1, 2022, British Columbia required motorists to place a decal on the rear licence plate as proof of registration.

Initially, all decals expired on February 28 of the following year. When monthly staggered registration commenced in 1979, longer decals were introduced displaying the month of expiration; all such decals initially expired at the end of the month displayed. Daily registration commenced in 1993, with an additional decal introduced displaying the number of the day on which the month decal expired.

The decals were issued by the ICBC until the requirement was removed on May 1, 2022.^[18] Some decals may have been unofficially handed out by autoplan agents after May 2022. The following are the colour patterns used in the years from 1980 to 2022:

Image	Year	Colour
	1980	Black and white
	1981	Red and black
	1982	Green and white
	1983	Black and white
	1984	Orange and white
	1985	Blue and white
	1986	Red and blue on white (Expo 86 Logo)
	1987	Red and white
	1988	Dark blue and white
	1989	Green on white (thick border)
	1990	Pink on white
	1991	Blue on white
	1992	Black on white
	1993	Green on white
	1994	Red on white
	1995	Blue on white
	1996	Black on white (Jan-Sep)
		Pink on white (Oct-Dec)
	1997	Green on white
	1998	Red on white
	1999	Blue on white (thick or thin border)
	2000	Black on yellow
	2001	Black on orange
	2002	Black on dark green
	2003	Black on pink
	2004	Black on yellow (no border, long decal)
	2005	Black on sky blue (no border, short decal)
	2006	Black on red
	2007	Black on light green
	2008	White on baby blue
	2009	Black on dark orange
	2010	Black on green
	2011	Black on yellow
	2012	Black on pink
	2013	Black on orange
	2014	Black on baby blue (full year shown)
	2015	Black on mustard yellow
	2016	Black on pink
	2017	Black on green
	2018	Black on orange
	2019	Black on yellow
	2020	Black on yellow
	2021	Black on pink
	2022	Black on green
	2023	Black on Orange Somewhat rare but issued until Apr 30 2022 for renewals expiring in 2023

See also

• Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC)
• Symbols of British Columbia