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.
Plates are currently issued by the provincial motor vehicle insurer, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. 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 at in height by in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1954 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 | ||
| 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 | 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 until 1948. | |
| 1940 | Embossed yellow serial on black plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "40" at right | none | A1-234 | Coded by branch office | 'A' prefix serials were issued from Vancouver Island, 'B' prefixes from Vancouver, and 'F' prefixes from New Westminster. This practice continued until 1948. | |
| 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 | ||
| 1941 | Embossed blue serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "41" at right | none | 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. | |
| 1942 | Embossed white serial on blue plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "42" at right | none | A1-234 | Coded by branch office | 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 1943 | Embossed black serial on cream plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "43" at right | none | A1-234 | Coded by branch office | Restamped and repainted 1942 plates. | |
| 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 | ||
| 1944 | Embossed cream serial on black plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "44" at right | none | 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 | ||
| 1945 | Embossed red serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "45" at right | none | 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 | ||
| 1946 | Embossed white serial on red plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "46" at right | none | 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 | ||
| 1947 | Embossed green serial on white plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "47" at right | none | 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 | ||
| 1948 | Embossed white serial on green plate with border line; "BRITISH COLUMBIA" at bottom and vertical "48" at right | none | 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. | |
| 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. 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. 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 |
| Blue on white | Beautiful British Columbia | 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 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre | Beautiful British Columbia | 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. | |
| August 2014 –present | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag in centre | Beautiful British Columbia | AB1 23C | AA0 00A to LB1 10A |
Optional types
Truck plates 1973 to present
The current standard truck plate is issued to both commercial and private trucks, and also to buses and taxis.| 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 | 00-00-AA to approximately 25-00-DS | Letters I, O, Q, U and Z not used in serials; this practice continues today. | ||
| 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 | Blue on reflective white with screened stylized provincial flag used as separator | Beautiful British Columbia | AB 1234 | AL 0000 to PS 6417 |
Optional types
Consular plates 1967 to present
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. 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. 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.| 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. | Beautiful British Columbia | PB123C | PA000A to present | 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 | PB123C | PK000A to present | Secondary slogan of "Discover BC Parks" | |
| 2017 | An image of Porteau Cove overlooking Howe Sound as a background with black lettering. | Beautiful British Columbia | PB123C RB123C | PW000A to PX999X; RA000A to present | Secondary slogan of "Discover BC Parks" |
Decals
Since 1970, British Columbia has 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 are currently issued by the ICBC. The following are the colour patterns used in the years from 1980 onward:
| 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 | |
| 1987 | Red and white | |
| 1988 | Dark blue and white | |
| 1989 | Green on white | |
| 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 | |
| 1996 | Pink on white | |
| 1997 | Green on white | |
| 1998 | Red on white | |
| 1999 | Blue on white | |
| 2000 | Black on yellow | |
| 2001 | Black on orange | |
| 2002 | Black on dark green | |
| 2003 | Black on pink | |
| 2004 | Black on yellow | |
| 2005 | Black on sky blue | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |