There are special requirements for the registration, licensing and insuring of an Antique or Collector vehicle. This brochure describes the qualifications for Antique and for Collector status and tells you how to apply for a licence plate and insurance for either kind of vehicle.
Click here to view British Columbia Requirements for Authorization, Licencing and Insuring Collector Vehicles (Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles).

Antique (Vintage) Vehicles:

What is an Antique vehicle?
To be considered an Antique, a vehicle must be all of the following:
- 30 years of age or older;
- owned as a collector's item;*
- maintained in its original condition as nearly as possible with original parts;
- mechanically sound (meeting Motor Vehicle Act standards).

How do I get plates for my Antique vehicle?
If your vehicle qualifies, is complete and is in running order, you can fill out an Antique Vehicle Licence and Certificate of Registration at any Autoplan broker's office to obtain your Vintage plate. You need to supply the broker with at least four photographs of your vehicle: side view, front view, engine compartment, and vehicle's interior including the driver compartment.

If you are licensing your vehicle for the first time, you will also need to register it. This will require proof of ownership. If the vehicle was brought to BC from outside the province, it will need a mechanical safety inspection. Your Autoplan broker can provide you with a list of designated inspection facilities.

May I display more than one licence plate on my Antique vehicle at one time?
Yes, when you are displaying your Vintage plates, you may also display a plate of the year of the vehicle. You may not display your Vintage plate at the same time as a regular or personalized plate.

Collector Vehicles:

The Collector Vehicle program was created to allow car enthusiasts to enjoy a pleasure drive, in addition to driving their vehicles in events such as parades and club activities. Collector vehicles should not be used for everyday general transportation. Since most have a high value and are maintained in excellent condition, their owners are expected to drive them infrequently, thereby reducing their exposure to the risk of a crash. ICBC can then offer insurance to these owners for much less than the cost of regular vehicle insurance.

How do I know if I qualify for Collector plates and premiums?
You and your vehicle must meet each of the following requirements:
* You own or lease another non-Collector vehicle registered and insured in your name, or you drive a company vehicle for everyday transportation, which is insured under Rate Class 001, 002, 003, 004, 007, 011 to 014, 017, 021 to 024, 027, 310 to 314, or 320 to 324.

* Your vehicle is one of the following:
- at least 25 years old, or
- at least 15 years old and is a limited production vehicle: that is, 1,500 or fewer of that model were produced by the manufacturer worldwide for that model, year, or
- at least 15 years old and the owner of the marqué or make of your vehicle has ceased manufacturing vehicles of any kind for at least five years.

* Your vehicle is in exceedingly good stock condition regardless of age and is maintained or restored to meet the manufacturer's original specifications except for upgrading of brakes, brake lights, or headlights* or installation of seat belts, safety glass, directional signals, or era accessories listed on the application for Collector vehicle status.
*Your vehicle is fully assembled.
* The model year of your vehicle is the model year designated by the manufacturer.
*Your vehicle is registered in BC.
* Your vehicle is a true vehicle, not a replica, modified vehicle, cab/chassis, motor home, or kit car.
* Your vehicle is driven ONLY for pleasure use and not, at any time, to drive to or from, or party way to or from, work or school.

Where Can I apply for Collector status and how much does it cost?
Your Autoplan broker has application forms and there is no charge to apply, although you need to include photographs as indicated on the form. (Polaroid pictures or digital images are not acceptable.) Once you have completed the application and attached the photographs, you or your broker can send it for approval to the ICBC address given on the form.

Will my application be approved?
The most common reasons applications are declined include:
* non-stock equipment such as: cassette decks, extra speakers, custom steering wheels, Mag wheels, engine dress-up equipment, etc.;
* the condition of the vehicle's interior: seats ripped or soiled, door panels or armrests need repair;
* the condition of the engine compartment: its paint must be in good condition and all surfaces must be exceptionally clean and free of rust, grease and grime.

Once I have Collector status, do I have to license and insure my vehicle right away?
No. The approved application is valid as long as you own that approved vehicle. Please, for your own convenience, don't lose the application form. If you lose Collector plates or decide to cancel Collector insurance, your Autoplan broker must see the approved application before authorizing new Collector plates. If you don't have an approved application form, you will have to reapply with a new form and pictures to regain your Collector status.

Once my application is approved, will ICBC send me my Collector plates?
No. Your approved application form will be mailed back to you; then you can act as quickly or wait as long as you wish to license your vehicle. Once you're ready for licensing, you need to order your plates from ICBC through your Autoplan broker's office by taking your application there and coming back when the plates arrive, usually about four working days later. The broker can then license and insure your Collector vehicle.

May I display more than one licence plate on my Collector vehicle at one time?
Yes, when Collector plates are in force on your vehicle, you may also display Vintage plates.

What if my vehicle is not in exceptionally good condition or doesn't meet the requirements?
If you use Collector plates even though your vehicle does not meet the requirements, your insurance may be forfeited in the event of a crash or other claim.
When you apply for Collector vehicle status, you must sign a declaration stating that you understand and meet the requirements. This declaration forms part of your insurance policy.

What if my vehicle qualifies as a Collector but is my only vehicle?
To qualify for the reduced Collector premium, you must have another non-Collector vehicle registered, licensed and insured in your name, or an assigned company vehicle that you use for everyday general transportation.
If you don't have such a vehicle, you may still obtain Collector plates, but you will have to pay the full pleasure use premium for your vehicle. Unfortunately, even though "pleasure use" insurance covers occasional travel to work, you would be subject to a fine for doing so. The Collector licence regulations do not permit driving the vehicle to work.

If I sell my Collector vehicle, are the Collector plates transferable?
No. The new owner must apply with recent photographs of the vehicle and a completed application form. These will form part of the new owner's insurance contract.

If I have two or more Collector vehicles, may I use one plate for all of them?
Yes. Once you have approved Collector's status on two or more vehicles, take an approved application form for each of your vehicles to an Autoplan broker. They can advise whether this option is suitable for your needs. If it is, have our broker submit the necessary documentation to ICBC's Specialty Licensing Department to obtain a premium quotation for a multi-Collector plate. This plate allows you to operate one of your Collector vehicles on the road while covering the others (if you so choose) with off-road storage insurance.

What if my vehicle has never been registered in BC?
Every vehicle operated on a highway in BC must be registered. See your Autoplan broker for further details.