New Off-Road Vehicle Registration
Government of BC
As deadline looms, many owners in favour of new regulations
Registration for off-road vehicles in B.C. becomes mandatory on Nov. 1. The regulations, first announced by the Ministry of Forests, Lands & Resources in 2009, stipulates owners of golf carts, dirt bikes, quads, side-by-sides or snowmobiles are legally required to plate and insure their vehicles. Failure to comply with Bill 13 Off-Road Vehicle Act, could result in a fine of up to $5,000 and seizure of your vehicle.
“We’ve already seen a lot of clients but expect more before the rush at the end of October,” says Tracy Gillan, manager of insurance services at First West Credit Union’s Envision Financial division.
The new rules are designed to catch rogue operators and joyriders who put others in danger, while cutting down on theft and the resale of those stolen units.
“Any operator riding on crown land, decommissioned and active logging roads, and loading and unloading their units in a parking lot will fall under the new rules,” she says.
Costs for registrations and insurance decals will vary depending on where in the province you reside.
“Owners need to come in with their bill of sale as well as any other proof of ownership they have indicating whether the vehicle was bought from a dealer or private individual,” says Gillan.
If you don’t have those, you may need to get a statutory declaration to determine the continuity of ownership, which needs to be notarized. To avoid disappointment, go into your Autoplan agent with all your documentation early, so if further steps are required it can be done prior to the Nov. 1 deadline.
“While it may seem like a lot of red tape right now, the members we see in the branches are ultimately relieved that there will be stricter regulations to improve safety of both riders and property,” Gillan says.
For more information on unit registration, visit for.gov.bc.ca/mof/orv/