VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSE PLATES

Registration Renewal

Registration Reminder

Have a question? Contact us: 403.320.5588

We provide hassle free vehicle registration services for Lethbridge and Southern Alberta.

First-time Registration of Your Vehicle or Trailer

If you purchase a vehicle or trailer you must register it in your name. You need the following documents to do this.

  • Proof of Ownership such as lease agreement or bill of sale.
  • A person under 18 years old must have parental consent to register a vehicle in their name. The parent must accompany the minor with identification. We have parental consent forms in our office for you.
  • If the owner is not registering the vehicle a letter of authorization is required for the person acting on their behalf. The person acting on their behalf must provide acceptable identification
  •  If a vehicle is being registered jointly all parties should be named on the Bill of Sale and all parties should be present. If this is not possible the absent parties must sign an letter of authorization that gives their consent to be included on the registration.
  • Proof of valid Alberta Insurance (pink card). Not required for trailers.
  • Acceptable Identification (Driver’s Licence).  Other forms of acceptable Identification can be found here

Exceptions to this are New Vehicles. If you are registering a NEW vehicle that has not been registered before you will be asked for the following in addition to the above.

New original Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS). The auto dealership will provide you with the NVIS when you buy the vehicle. In this case a fax is not acceptable. You must bring in the original document and it will be retained by us.

Online Vehicle Renewals

Renew your vehicle registration online to download your digital vehicle registration certificate. Licence plate expiry stickers are no longer required as of January 1, 2021.

Importing Vehicles and Trailers from other Provinces & Countries

If you are importing a vehicle or trailer from outside of Alberta you will be required to provide the following to register.

Out of Province Inspection. Required for all vehicles not last registered in Alberta.

1. A request for inspection must be purchased from our office first. The mechanic does not have this form and not all mechanics can do an out of province inspection.  We will provide you with an updated list of mechanics completing these inspections.

2. Once you have a completed the inspection the mechanic will provide you with an inspection certificate which is only valid for 14 days.  You must bring this certificate to our office before it expires.

hands on a car steering wheel

Vehicle Import Form

Vehicles imported into Canada from another Country require a Vehicle Import Form (F1) obtained from Transport Canada. This is in addition to the Out of Province Inspection above. Please see the  Registrar of Imported Vehicle website for more information.

  • The vehicle must be physically in Alberta.
  • Proof of Ownership such as certificate of title or bill of sale. Registration in your name from another province is acceptable proof of ownership.
  • Proof of valid Alberta Insurance (pink card). Not required for trailers.
  • Acceptable Identification (Driver’s Licence).  Other forms of acceptable Identification can be found here
  • If the owner is not registering the vehicle a letter of authorization is required for the person acting on their behalf.

Vehicles Written Off

If a vehicle has been written-off (known as salvage by an insurance company) you must have it inspected by an authorized mechanic before you can register the vehicle.  Inspection Request Forms must be purchased from our office. At the time of purchase we can provide you with the updated list of eligible mechanics because not all mechanics are authorized to perform these inspections.

  • Proof of Ownership such as lease agreement or bill of sale.
  • A person under 18 years old must have parental consent to register a vehicle in their name. The parent must accompany the minor with identification. We have parental consent forms in our office for you.
  • If the owner is not registering the vehicle a letter of authorization is required for the person acting on their behalf.  The person acting on their behalf must provide acceptable identification.
  •  If a vehicle is being registered jointly all parties should be named on the Bill of Sale and all parties should be present. If this is not possible the absent parties must sign an authorization letter that gives their consent to be included on the registration.
  • Proof of valid Alberta Insurance (pink card). Not required for trailers.
  • Acceptable Identification (Driver’s Licence).
  • Other forms of acceptable Identification can be found here

Vehicle Information Reports

A Vehicle Information Report (VIR) provides information on a vehicle’s registration history in the province of Alberta.  The report is produced using the vehicle identification number (VIN) also called a serial number.  Every vehicle is assigned its own unique number by the manufacturer or the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

The report includes the following information.

car mechanic checking car vin number

The date and time of the report

Vehicle Description

  • Year
  • Make
  • Model
  • Style
  • Colour
  • Fuel Type
  • Odometer Reading

Vehicle Status

  • Active
  • Salvage
  • Non-repairable
  • Unsafe
  • Rebuilt

Vehicle Registration

date vehicle first entered on system, licence plate classification, registration history date and location (no personal information for any current or previous owner is shown, including licence plate numbers)

Lien Information

provides the number of liens and other related instruments which are registered in the province of Alberta and associated with the serial number. Detailed information, such as the secured party and the party to whom the money is owed can be determined by purchasing a separate Personal Property lien search.

The VIR ONLY

shows information from the Alberta Motor Vehicle System. It does not include any information from other provinces or countries where the vehicle may have been registered.

Other Forms of Registration

If a motor vehicle is used for any purpose other than personal use, including pleasure and to and from work, a commercial license plate will be required. There are a number of different commercial plates based on use of vehicle, passenger capacity, territory of use, and gross vehicle weight (GVW) of the vehicle. Our staff will be able to help identify the commercial class of license plate that you require based on the above factors.
You are required to provide us with the estimated GVW of your vehicle. The GVW includes the curb weight (vehicle when empty) plus fuel, passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight.

Important Notes For All Commercial Vehicles With A GVW Over 11,793 KG Or Passenger Capacity Of 11 Or More Including The Driver

If the vehicle is over 11,793 kg or has a passenger capacity of 11 or more including the driver, you will be required to obtain a Safety Fitness Certificate and a Commercial Vehicle Inspection. See below.

To obtain a Safety Fitness Certificate you must first register the vehicle. We will provide you with an Application for a Safety Fitness Certificate which must be completed and sent to Alberta Transportation. Alberta Transportation will review the application and issue the certificate.

Completion of a Commercial Vehicle Inspection is required for certain commercially registered vehicle’s. The Commercial Vehicle Inspection must be completed by an approved inspection facility.

Please call us to locate an approved facility near you. The approved facilities stock all necessary forms and will notify Alberta Transportation directly when the inspection has been completed.

If your vehicle is 25 years old or more you can register it as an antique. With this registration you can use your antique in exhibitions and club meets and also going to and from those events. You can also drive it to and from a service station for maintenance.

There are rules regarding an antique vehicle.  You may only drive it in daylight hours unless the vehicle has been upgraded with lights that meet current safety requirements. You cannot use it for general transportation unless it is also registered as a regular vehicle (dual registration). To register your antique vehicle you will also be asked for the documents required in registering a regular vehicle.

The intransit permit can be used to move a vehicle which is not registered (has no plate). The Intransit permits are only valid within Canada.  The starting or endpoint must be in Alberta for us to issue the permit.  The permit will be 7 days depending on the reason for moving and distance travelling. Salvage vehicles are only allowed a 24 hour permit. To purchase an in transit permit you require the following.

  • Ownership document (if leaving or entering the Province of Alberta) (Only for trailers)
  • Acceptable Identification
  • Proof of valid Insurance (pink card)

Order Online

Since January 1, 1997 all vehicles that were last registered outside of Alberta must be inspected by an authorized mechanic before being registered within our province. First bring us your Bill of Sale. We’ll do a search on the vehicle to find out its previous status. Depending on that status you will be required to either have an Out of Province (safety) Inspection or a Salvage Vehicle Inspection done. We can  provide you with a Request for Inspection form.

We also have a list of some of the authorized mechanics available in our area.  For a complete list of inspection stations, visit Alberta Transportation at:  http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/2821.htm

After the inspection is completed you must return the form to us within 14 days. Then the vehicle will be registered and the record from the previous province closed out.

You must have a form completed by your doctor to request a disabled placard. You can obtain this form from our office or your doctor’s office.

The intent of this program is to provide an easily recognizable method for law enforcement officials to enforce parking restrictions, ensuring that designated parking zones remain available for the use and convenience of people with disabilities that affect their ability to walk.

Any person who presents an approved application from a physician that he or she is entitled to disabled parking privileges would be eligible. The disability could be long-term (permanent) or short-term (at least three months).

Visitors to Alberta who are disabled are eligible for a short-term placard for the duration of their visit and do not have to provide either their disabled placard from home nor medical documentation.

Questions on the above? Please call us and one of our professional registry staff will assist you. 403 320-5588