Old BC License Tags $800 fine in USA

[Eggscape]

Most of us in BC know that we are not getting new tags for our license plates this year on insurance renewal. The BC government has done away with issuing them.

So if you are visiting BC for the Rally or another adventure you will notice a lot of outdated license tags.

Edit: thanks to mlowther for the correction on my original post which he confirms you will not be ticketed driving with an expired tag in Washington State.

[mlowther]

We don't have the stickers in AB anymore, either.

And that was just a rumor that was circulating online, I thought (early April Fools, perhaps?). Just need to have your valid registration document to prove otherwise, should you get pulled over....

https://globalnews.ca/news/9594009/t...surance-decal/

[Eggscape]

Originally Posted by mlowther

We don't have the stickers in AB anymore, either.

And that was just a rumor that was circulating online, I thought (early April Fools, perhaps?). Just need to have your valid registration document to prove otherwise, should you get pulled over....

https://globalnews.ca/news/9594009/t...surance-decal/

Thanks for the clarification.

[emers382]

When MB did away with the renewal sticker for the plate we were given blank stickers to place over the outdated one. I'm surprised BC doesn't do the same.

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by mlowther

We don't have the stickers in AB anymore, either.

And that was just a rumor that was circulating online, I thought (early April Fools, perhaps?). Just need to have your valid registration document to prove otherwise, should you get pulled over....

https://globalnews.ca/news/9594009/t...surance-decal/

In BC it's not the registration that's in question. The yearly decal on the license plate told law enforcement two things, the annual license fee had been paid and, far more importantly, that the trailer was insured.

Now, with license plate scanners, they don't need to look at small decals on license plates.

I've made two giant boo-boos in the past. I was almost down to our border and got pulled over for no current decal on the trailer. The fine was more than twice the annual insurance cost, about $600. I put it down to having so many things to do to prepare for the trip that I didn't notice the tag.

Then there was the time in San Diego, ready to cross into Mexico the next day, when my wife said, "the truck license is expired". My life flashed before my eyes, all that way without insurance. Fortunately I could renew online and they faxed new papers to the campground. I put that down to too many vehicles with varying expiration dates. I can rationalize anything.

Now, with no decals on the plates I'm definitely going to have to up my game.

Ron

[brroberts]

All my policies have been rewritten. Personal liability, business, home, cars, boats, trailers, it all comes due on the same day. It’s a bunch of money, but I know when it is, so it’s not unexpected. My vehicle registrations all come due in September in KS.

[Ron in BC]

I'd love that situation. Can't be done here. At one time, a long time ago, all vehicle license plates expired at the end of Feb. Easy to remember. But the downside was the lineups as everyone tried to renew on the same day.

Ron

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by emers382

When MB did away with the renewal sticker for the plate we were given blank stickers to place over the outdated one. I'm surprised BC doesn't do the same.

Hi: emers382... Blank kiddy blank blank blank!!! Gov. dot double speak. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[brroberts]

KS staggers registrations all 12 months. It’s based on your last name.

[Mike G]

Originally Posted by brroberts

KS staggers registrations all 12 months. It’s based on your last name.

That is truly staggering!

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by brroberts

KS staggers registrations all 12 months. It’s based on your last name.

Same in Alberta. Ontario expires registrations on the owner's birthday, spreading them out through each month as well as between months, avoiding the last-day-of-the-month rush.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by emers382

When MB did away with the renewal sticker for the plate we were given blank stickers to place over the outdated one. I'm surprised BC doesn't do the same.

Alberta didn't issue blank stickers, either - they're not needed within the province because law enforcement officers know to ignore the old validation stickers.

For travel in other jurisdictions it would make sense to avoid potential confusion due to having an old year sticker displayed. With a traditional painted plate it should be reasonable to scrape off the old stickers; with plates having a printed film (such as my Support our Troops plates) I don't know if I will be able to get the stickers off without tearing the film, but I plan to try that.

Here in Alberta our trailer registrations are "permanent" (non-expiring), so they had a validation sticker saying that, and so the discontinuation of the stickers doesn't create an issue.