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
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
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 WV9 99X (as of November 16, 2024)
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.
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]
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
MC123RMC1234
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